Writing as Therapy

For all things philosophical.

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tbieter
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Writing as Therapy

Post by tbieter »

http://www.amazon.com/Reaper-Autobiogra ... the+reaper
During his interview this morning, the author said that after returning home he started having difficulties. As therapy, he decided to write about his experiences and the result was this autobiography.

Why does the act of writing apparently have a therapeutic effect?
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GreatandWiseTrixie
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Re: Writing as Therapy

Post by GreatandWiseTrixie »

tbieter wrote:http://www.amazon.com/Reaper-Autobiogra ... the+reaper
During his interview this morning, the author said that after returning home he started having difficulties. As therapy, he decided to write about his experiences and the result was this autobiography.

Why does the act of writing apparently have a therapeutic effect?
It's a way of expressing thought. Also the feeling of socially contributing.
tbieter
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Re: Writing as Therapy

Post by tbieter »

GreatandWiseTrixie wrote:
tbieter wrote:http://www.amazon.com/Reaper-Autobiogra ... the+reaper
During his interview this morning, the author said that after returning home he started having difficulties. As therapy, he decided to write about his experiences and the result was this autobiography.

Why does the act of writing apparently have a therapeutic effect?
It's a way of expressing thought. Also the feeling of socially contributing.
Yes, writing is a tool. And it does provoke feelings. But, why does the act of writing seem to benefit the person who is having mental problems, such as the author had? Is rationality involved?
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henry quirk
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Re: Writing as Therapy

Post by henry quirk »

Writing (as communicative act) imposes discipline.

That is: to write (well) you have to think and rethink (not just 'feel').

If a head is muddled, confused, chaotic (perhaps 'feeling' too much): writing can force an ordering (by way of reasoning [thinking]) which can lead to clarity.
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GreatandWiseTrixie
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Re: Writing as Therapy

Post by GreatandWiseTrixie »

tbieter wrote:
GreatandWiseTrixie wrote:
tbieter wrote:http://www.amazon.com/Reaper-Autobiogra ... the+reaper
During his interview this morning, the author said that after returning home he started having difficulties. As therapy, he decided to write about his experiences and the result was this autobiography.

Why does the act of writing apparently have a therapeutic effect?
It's a way of expressing thought. Also the feeling of socially contributing.
Yes, writing is a tool. And it does provoke feelings. But, why does the act of writing seem to benefit the person who is having mental problems, such as the author had? Is rationality involved?
The feeling of socially contributing. It's the same reason otakus play mmorpgs. They dont fit in to the outside world and even paranoids need to feel some form of social contribution.
tbieter
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Re: Writing as Therapy

Post by tbieter »

henry quirk wrote:Writing (as communicative act) imposes discipline.

That is: to write (well) you have to think and rethink (not just 'feel').

If a head is muddled, confused, chaotic (perhaps 'feeling' too much): writing can force an ordering (by way of reasoning [thinking]) which can lead to clarity.
Excellent analysis. This is why teachers should require frequent written assignments or tasks. Unfortunately, they do so less today. I know a professor of religion. I once asked her if the ordinary college freshman was prepared for higher education. She replied: "They can't write a sentence!"
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GreatandWiseTrixie
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Re: Writing as Therapy

Post by GreatandWiseTrixie »

tbieter wrote:
henry quirk wrote:Writing (as communicative act) imposes discipline.

That is: to write (well) you have to think and rethink (not just 'feel').

If a head is muddled, confused, chaotic (perhaps 'feeling' too much): writing can force an ordering (by way of reasoning [thinking]) which can lead to clarity.
Excellent analysis. This is why teachers should require frequent written assignments or tasks. Unfortunately, they do so less today. I know a professor of religion. I once asked her if the ordinary college freshman was prepared for higher education. She replied: "They can't write a sentence!"
Watched this movie called "Diary of a genius" or something like that. Come to think of it, it couldn't have been called 'diary' of a genius it was about a kid who had a high IQ but couldn't write anything intelligient sounding.
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henry quirk
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Post by henry quirk »

"Excellent analysis."

Thanks.

#

"This is why teachers should require frequent written assignments or tasks."

Agreed.
duszek
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Re: Writing as Therapy

Post by duszek »

I also agree with Henry´s analysis.

Does writing on a forum like this one help to order one´s mind, too ?
It should.
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henry quirk
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Re: Writing as Therapy

Post by henry quirk »

My god: two folks who agree me...in the same thread!

Hell is gettin' cold.

#

"Does writing on a forum like this one help to order one´s mind, too ?"

It can, but it's not a given that it will or does.
thedoc
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Re: Writing as Therapy

Post by thedoc »

henry quirk wrote:My god: two folks who agree me...in the same thread!

Hell is gettin' cold.

#

"Does writing on a forum like this one help to order one´s mind, too ?"

It can, but it's not a given that it will or does.

Go hug your nephew, whether he wants to or not, it'll help you get over the shock. Him? I'm not sure if it will help him or not. My daughter went through a phase where it was cool that I was her coach, then she got older and it wasn't cool anymore. Now, at least, I think she accepts that I can be useful, - at times.

Writing on a forum can be a good thing if you are willing to read what the others have to say about what you have written. If you automatically reject any criticism, it does you no good to be here.
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henry quirk
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Re: Writing as Therapy

Post by henry quirk »

HA!

He still finds me companionable.
bergie15
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Re: Writing as Therapy

Post by bergie15 »

Writing does have a kind of therapeutic effect, I think. It is helpful to write my thoughts down in order to really know what it is I am thinking at certain times.
duszek
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Re: Writing as Therapy

Post by duszek »

I often write the essence of what bothers me personally on a piece of paper at home.
After a few days or weeks I look at the statements again and sometimes I feel embarassed. It is probably a sign that I have made progress.

This is what a diary can be good for. You make an emotional statement and after a few days you realize what was wrong and how to correct your view of things.
bergie15
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Re: Writing as Therapy

Post by bergie15 »

That seems like a good way to know how you felt at times-writing it down. I used to keep journals when I was younger, though I don't anymore.
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