By Dr. Gbonjubola Abiri
Few months ago, while in session with a patient of mine who was struggling with the long shadows of childhood trauma, I recommended a memoir.
While this patient was intelligent, reflective and committed to therapy, he didn’t appear to be connecting. He understood his symptoms intellectually but struggled to feel his story.
I suggested the book ‘What My Bones Know’ by Stephanie Foo.
The book is a deeply personal account of living with complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD), as well as the long uneven journey toward recovery.
After reading the book a few weeks later, he returned to the clinic different. He was softer, more open and able to connect with his reality. He stated that, “It felt like she was writing about parts of my life”.
For the first time, he began to see his patterns not as a personal failure, but as understandable responses to early life trauma and wounds. The book wasn’t a replacement for therapy, but it did some deep work in synergy with the process.
This reflects the quiet, yet powerful essence of bibliotherapy.
Bibliotherapy refers to the intentional use of reading materials such as memoirs, fiction, poetry or structures self-help books as a tool of therapy.
The simple yet profound truth is that, the stories and scenarios help us to make sense of ourselves and many other things we may find hard to understand. Telling and hearing stories have remained means from over the years of how individuals healed themselves and others.
Modern day research adds to this knowledge as it shows that reading is capable of the following:
And complements structured psychotherapy
Bibliotherapy helps people understand that they are not alone on their journeys as they see their struggles and challenges reflected in someone else’s narrative. Individuals who experience depression, trauma, anxiety, isolation, self-esteem issues and even grief often feel alone with their experiences and on their journeys. As people read, they are able to experience vulnerability through the eyes of another, explore challenging situations and circumstances at their own pace. Readers are also able to take things at their own pace, re-read, sit with discomfort and make a return when ready.
As clinicians, we prescribe medication, recommend lifestyle changes, but rarely prescribe stories. We should do more of this as it helps patient’s make the shift from confusion to curiosity and clarity. Trust me when I say that this is therapeutic gold.
Remember, there is no health without mental health.
Improving coping strategies
Strengthens empathy
Reduces feelings of isolation
Encourages emotional insight
–And complements structured psychotherapy
Bibliotherapy helps people understand that they are not alone on their journeys as they see their struggles and challenges reflected in someone else’s narrative.
Individuals who experience depression, trauma, anxiety, isolation, self-esteem issues and even grief often feel alone with their experiences and on their journeys. As people read, they are able to experience vulnerability through the eyes of another, explore challenging situations and circumstances at their own pace.
Readers are also able to take things at their own pace, re-read, sit with discomfort and make a return when ready.As clinicians, we prescribe medication, recommend lifestyle changes, but rarely prescribe stories. We should do more of this as it helps patient’s make the shift from confusion to curiosity and clarity. Trust me when I say that this is therapeutic gold.
Remember, there is no health without mental health.