Writing as a form of therapy

[Shell]

I've been taking a Creative Writing course as a required additional writing class.  So far we've been doing sonnets, free verse poems, and creative nonfictions.  I've found that writing, whether it is dark and painful or bright and joyful, offers such a great form of release. 

Before this class, I would usually write poetry that was pretty dark -- it was an outlet for me, a way for me to let go and get the anger or sadness out.  But I never fully took hold of the thing that made me so angry and sad - my past abuse.

I got to write a nonfiction piece and for the first time I actually wrote about some of the things that happened.  In my poems, I described the feelings it gave me.  But in the nonfiction, I actually wrote what happened.  Not very detailed, but the facts were laid out.  I kind of got to look at my past, got to sit in the seat again and even relive it a little.  Some memories were unburied and it was as if all the hauntings came out of nowhere and showed themselves to me.

Have you ever felt like you knew things happened, but you just pressed on and tried to deal with the aftermath?  Well, it seemed like that's what I've been doing all this time.  Even in therapy, we never got to the point where we would "talk" about it.  We always dealt with coping with the side effects and never faced the cause.

While I was writing, I actually found myself trying to figure out the timeline and found it a bit hard to do that.  But it was as if I was forcing myself to sit and think about what happened.  How did he look, how did I feel, what was the room like, all that stuff.  It was like revisiting the past.  I found it hard, scary, and uncomfortable, but I almost feel like some of the weight is lifted off my shoulders that I didn't even know was there.

I just found it really interesting and I think if anyone is dealing with the side effects of any type of monster, writing (whether you're writing to release steam or sadness, or if you're ready to face it detail by detail) is a very powerful tool. 

[SWM]

nice thread cecile,

i can actually read this one without getting agitated or confused.

perhaps it is better written, or the writer is on my wavelength.

Have you ever felt like you knew things happened, but you just pressed on and tried to deal with the aftermath?  Well, it seemed like that's what I've been doing all this time.  Even in therapy, we never got to the point where we would "talk" about it.  We always dealt with coping with the side effects and never faced the cause.

classic example of the wrong kind of therapy or the wrong therapist. many therapist will say there is no need to revisit the past to be able to cope with the present. but if the past could be visited without fear or anxiety then would there be a need for methods of coping.  off topic i know but wanted to point it out.

While I was writing, I actually found myself trying to figure out the timeline and found it a bit hard to do that.  But it was as if I was forcing myself to sit and think about what happened.  How did he look, how did I feel, what was the room like, all that stuff.  It was like revisiting the past.  I found it hard, scary, and uncomfortable, but I almost feel like some of the weight is lifted off my shoulders that I didn't even know was there.

I just found it really interesting and I think if anyone is dealing with the side effects of any type of monster, writing (whether you're writing to release steam or sadness, or if you're ready to face it detail by detail) is a very powerful tool.

i do agree, writing is a great form of expression (release) and expression (release) is a very powerful form of healing.

[Shell]

Aww thanks Stan.    I think you can understand it because I'm on your wavelength.    Plus, I'm freaking interesting, right?  I mean who couldn't understand me?    haha, Just kidding. 

classic example of the wrong kind of therapy or the wrong therapist. many therapist will say there is no need to revisit the past to be able to cope with the present. but if the past could be visited without fear or anxiety then would there be a need for methods of coping.  off topic i know but wanted to point it out.

I actually did feel let down by it at the end.  I had to stop seeing my first therapist because I changed assignments and had to move.  But we were together for 2 years and never got that far.  The second one referred me to a psychiatrist and got me on meds.  But I think I got impatient later and just stopped going.

[Agni]

Writing has been my best solution for dealing with difficult feelings. It has been since my childhood. My favouritue is writting never-sent letters to others. I write everything what I feel...When I write diary or such a letter there is no place for suppression. What do you think?

[SWM]

Aww thanks Stan.    I think you can understand it because I'm on your wavelength.    Plus, I'm freaking interesting, right?  I mean who couldn't understand me?    haha, Just kidding. 

yeah, you know!

I actually did feel let down by it at the end.  I had to stop seeing my first therapist because I changed assignments and had to move.  But we were together for 2 years and never got that far.  The second one referred me to a psychiatrist and got me on meds.  But I think I got impatient later and just stopped going.

i read an article this week that made me think of your situation, you can read it online too.

http://www.therapytoday.net/index.php?magId=21&action=viewArticle&articleId=51

[pljames]

Excellent post all. I have been writing for some time. It is a great therapy for me. With the help of this forum I have found my (dark side ) so to speak. The unconscious so to speak.It's kind of shocking to find a side you did not know existed. I use to question the Greece saying "Know thyself" but no more. I now think the more one knows about one self (like it or not) is a good thing. I hate ignorance and pride. But the problem is when you know the truth and are trying to share your knowledge with another who thinks you are crazy (pun)?.

I am enlightened by this forum and it's members. Keep up the great work. I for one am proud of being a member of this forum. pl