User:Anonyme1604/The Power of Writing

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Writing to heal

Writing is described as the power to communicate and express one's thoughts on to a piece of paper or on to a screen using symbols, letters and numbers. Writing can be used for many reasons such as for novels, media content, scripts, proposals and even for personal development. Wrtiting; no matter what the reason is, has the power to invogorate and motivate readers, additionally posing as a way of attaining more clarity. Writing is a communication tool that aids us in resurfacing latent emotions[1]. It is not simply a skill, but a power to heal.

Writing To Heal[edit]

Writing is no stranger to therapists, conselors, doctors and teachers who have recommended patients, students and friends to take the time to sit and write, to transfer their thoughts on a piece of paper, and to unleash their dorment feelings.


Studies from the University of Cambridge, Syracuse and Texas, have been done to analyze the effects of writing in relations to healing. Research suggests that writing can offer physical benefits to people battling illnesses and life threatening diseases[2]. Skeptics have argued that other external factors such as time and or social support could be the simple reason behind the healing. However, a meticulous research review published in 1998 named Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology (Vol. 66, No. 1)[3] suggestes that writing does in fact have the power to create a massive difference.

Woman expressing her thoughts on paper

PHD author James Pennebaker focused on creating an extensive research detailing the healing effects of writing. He proved that creating a thorough personal narrative of one's life, merging and linking their emotions with specific events can be a necessity to take control and analyze how certain emotions and events can affect one's life[4].


Researchers have stated that a key element to writing's effectiveness is in the way it is utilized to interpret their life experiences and the language used. Smyth argues that releasing emotions is not enough to improve health. One must use it to have a better comprehension of their emotions[5].


Although writing about stressful, agonizing events have been found to result in physical and pyschological health in both medical and non-medical landscapes[6], one must not ignore the fact that continuous writing of personal traumatic or distressing events can do more harm than good. The goal of writing, as is the goal of any skill, is to improve. It is plausible to commence writing about alarming situations and then follow up with "cause and effect" vocabulary such as "why", "because", and "understand".

Benefits[edit]

This study included 107 asthma and rheumatoid arthritis patients who wrote for 20 minutes each day. 71 patients wrote aout stressful situations while the rest about emotionally neutral subjects. After four months of writin it was proven that the 71 patients (who wrote aout stressful situations) improved more and detriorated less , than the rest of the patients for the diseases. "Writing helped patients get better, and also kept them from getting worse," Smyth stated[7].

Research by Pennebaker reiterates that the suppression of negative thoughts can compromise the immune functions and that those who can regularily write, visit the doctor less often[8]. PHD author Roger Booth linked writing with a stronger antibody response to the Hepatitis B vaccine[9].

References[edit]

  1. ^ Cangialosi, Karen (2002). "Healing Through the Written Word". The Permanente Journal. 6 (3): 68–70. ISSN 1552-5767. PMC 6220635.
  2. ^ Smyth, Joshua M.; Stone, Arthur A.; Hurewitz, Adam; Kaell, Alan (1999-04-14). "Effects of Writing About Stressful Experiences on Symptom Reduction in Patients With Asthma or Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Randomized Trial". JAMA. 281 (14): 1304. doi:10.1001/jama.281.14.1304. ISSN 0098-7484.
  3. ^ Smyth, Joshua M. (1998). "Written emotional expression: Effect sizes, outcome types, and moderating variables". Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. 66 (1): 174–184. doi:10.1037/0022-006X.66.1.174. ISSN 1939-2117.
  4. ^ Sexton, Janel D.; Pennebaker, James W. (2009-06-22), Kaufman, Scott Barry; Kaufman, James C. (eds.), "The Healing Powers of Expressive Writing", The Psychology of Creative Writing (1 ed.), Cambridge University Press, pp. 264–274, doi:10.1017/cbo9780511627101.018, ISBN 978-0-521-88164-7, retrieved 2022-12-12
  5. ^ Smyth, Joshua M. (1998). "Written emotional expression: Effect sizes, outcome types, and moderating variables". Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. 66 (1): 174–184. doi:10.1037/0022-006X.66.1.174. ISSN 1939-2117.
  6. ^ Baikie, Karen A.; Wilhelm, Kay (2005-09). "Emotional and physical health benefits of expressive writing". Advances in Psychiatric Treatment. 11 (5): 338–346. doi:10.1192/apt.11.5.338. ISSN 1355-5146. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ Smyth, Joshua M.; Stone, Arthur A.; Hurewitz, Adam; Kaell, Alan (1999-04-14). "Effects of Writing About Stressful Experiences on Symptom Reduction in Patients With Asthma or Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Randomized Trial". JAMA. 281 (14): 1304. doi:10.1001/jama.281.14.1304. ISSN 0098-7484.
  8. ^ Petrie, Keith J.; Booth, Roger J.; Pennebaker, James W. (1998). "The immunological effects of thought suppression". Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 75 (5): 1264–1272. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.75.5.1264. ISSN 1939-1315.
  9. ^ Petrie, Keith J.; Booth, Roger J.; Pennebaker, James W. (1998). "The immunological effects of thought suppression". Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 75 (5): 1264–1272. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.75.5.1264. ISSN 1939-1315.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:Anonyme1604/The_Power_of_Writing&oldid=1126966618"