Could Writing Help You Overcome Depression?

Depression affects most of us at one time or another in our lives, and many of us have found our own little coping mechanisms for dealing with it. Listening to music with an uplifting message is one way to dispel mild bouts of depression, probably because it takes very little effort. Just plop in a CD, sit back, and listen.

However, if the depression has progressed far past "mild" and is threatening relationships and ability to function well, it is time to go after the causes so it in an attempt to eliminate it from our lives. That's where writing may fit in.

Elizabeth Maynard Schaefer has written an excellent book on this very subject. In it she explains "how writing can help those with depression modulate their moods, develop greater insight, feel a sense of accomplishment, and reconstruct a damaged life."

I agree with her that there is something about writing that brings those things that are buried deep inside, out where you can study and deal with them. If depression seems to be winning in your life, check out Ms. Schaefer's book shown below to see if it can show you how writing can help you eliminate depression and other mood swings from your life.