ask dr. read      Idaho Statesman columns      new articles      biography      formal resume      philosophy      services offered      contact dr. read      psychology links      other links      forms      pictures		Writing Is Cathartic by James M. Read, Ph.D. It is common knowledge well accepted that talking about a painful experience is helpful in reducing the intensity of the emotional pain. Almost as readily acceptable to all but a few independent die-hards is the notion that talking with someone about a problem can help resolve it. For centuries Christians have been told of the value and encouraged to confess. Psychoanalytic as well as other schools of "talking therapy" encourage the verbalizing of past trauma. Studies comparing those who talk things out with those who bottle them up show the former to be better off than the latter. It seems clear that confronting and talking about pain and unhappiness works better than denial. Pretending it doesn't exist is not generally helpful. But what about writing? Lots of people keep regular journals and diaries, and even more people probably write when they are upset. Some people write long letters to friends when something is bothering them. Is that helpful? In a word, yes! Or so it seems. Clinicians have long encouraged clients to keep journals and express their feelings in writing. While writing a journal is not a substitute for face to face talking with a friend, or formal counseling with a therapist, it does seem to be comforting. It can reduce the pain. One recent study found that writing helped freshman students cope better with the stresses and anxiety of entering college for the first time. They had fewer physical symptoms than a control group who wrote about superficial topics. Another study compared writing and face to face interviews. Both these treatment groups showed improved mood and self-esteem compared to the control group that wrote only about impersonal subjects. Writing in a way that is psychologically and emotionally helpful isn't hard. Just try to express yourself honestly and address feelings that have some intensity. The ones that beg for your attention, or call for relief. If you want to get sophisticated about the journaling process read Ira Progoff. He's the dean (or should I say "mother"?) of all journal writing! James M. Read, Ph.D. Clinical Psychologist  Originally published in The Idaho Stateman newspaper (Boise, Idaho) June 10, 1993 For more information, or to contact the author (that's me!), write to James M. Read, Ph.D., jread@jread.com