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expressive writing exercise

expressive writing exercise . a chance to experiment with expressive writing see the handout description for a typical James Pennebaker set of instructions

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expressive writing exercise

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  1. expressive writing exercise • a chance to experiment with expressive writing • see the handout description for a typical James Pennebaker set of instructions • feel free to water these down for today – for example you could just write about a minor/moderate stress (current or past) • write really digging down into your feelings and thoughts about what happened • what you write will remain entirely private to you

  2. stops the cumulative stress & vulnerability produced by constant work of inhibition recovering/working through deeply upsetting memories encourages reassessment increases personal sense of resilience & one’s ability to tolerate intense emotions reduces isolation and makes sharing with others easier • reduction in intrusive memories and thoughts • improved psychological well being • improvements in immune function & physical health • reduced dependence on health professionals and other helping agencies mechanisms and effects

  3. stops cumulative stress produced by constant work of inhibition: Cole, S. W., M. E. Kemeny, et al. (1996). "Elevated physical health risk among gay men who conceal their homosexual identity." Health Psychology 15: 243 - 251. Larson, D. G. and R. L. Chastain (1990). "Self concealment: conceptualization, measurement, and health implications." Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology 9(4): 439 - 455. Finkenauer, C. and Rimé, B. (1998). "Keeping emotional memories secret : health and subjective wellbeing when emotions are not shared." J Health Psychology 3(1): 47 - 58. Hunt, M. G. (1998). "The only way out is through: emotional processing and recovery after a depressing life event." Behaviour Research and Therapy 36(4): 361 - 384. mechanisms and effects

  4. working through upsetting memories promotes reassessment: Reynolds, M. & C. Brewin (1999). "Intrusive memories in depression and posttraumatic stress disorder." Behav Res Ther 37(3): 201-15. Smyth, J., N. True, et al. (2001). "Effects of writing about traumatic experiences: the necessity for narrative structuring." Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology 20(2): 161-172.. Brewin, C. R. (2001). "A cognitive neuroscience account of posttraumatic stress disorder and its treatment." Behav Res Ther 39(4): 373-93. mechanisms and effects making “emotional” memories more “autobiographical” & promot-ing reassessment are considered key cognitive therapy interventions

  5. increases personal sense of resilience & one’s ability to tolerate intense emotions: Hunt, M. G. (1998). "The only way out is through: emotional processing and recovery after a depressing life event." Behaviour Research and Therapy 36(4): 361-84. mechanisms and effects reduces isolation and makes sharing with others easier: • Pennebaker, J., J. M. Smyth, et al. (1999). "Disclosure and health: an interview with James W Pennebaker; plus comments by various other authors." Advances in Mind-Body Medicine 15(3): 161-195.

  6. information from the web go to the “good knowledge” page of www.goodmedicine.org.uk , then open “lectures & leaflets” and then ”handouts, questionnaires & other leaflets” section; look in the “life review, traumatic memories & therapeutic writing” section; see too jamie pennebaker’s work at http://homepage. psy.utexas.edu/HomePage/Faculty/ Pennebaker/Home2000/JWPhome.htm

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