Writing Through the Darkness: Easing Your Depression with Paper and Pen

by Elizabeth Maynard Schaefer

Virtually everyone copes with significant grief and turmoil at times. WRITING THROUGH THE DARKNESS offers a menu of writing approaches--freewriting, memoir, poetry, and storytelling--to alleviate the anguish, confusion, and pain associated with depression. Quotes and writing samples from students provide inspiration and encouragement, and extensive resources direct readers to additional writing prompts, instruction, and accurate mental health information and assistance. Practical how-to discussions and plentiful exercises demonstrate how writing can help those with depression modulate their moods, develop greater insight, feel a sense of accomplishment, and reconstruct a damaged life. A practical and supportive guide to using creative writing exercises to ease the symptoms of depression. One in five people will struggle with depression during their lifetime. Research-based techniques and stories from a decade of results with a Stanford University writing group for people with mood disorders. Cites the latest research proving the efficacy of writing to help people deal with depressive symptoms and emotional trauma. Reviews"The material is wonderfully presented and approachable from many angles."-Fore Word Magazine

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Psychology, Self Help, Health, Mental Health

224 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2008

Reviews

[Joanne]

GREAT BOOK FOR ANY TYPE OF WRITER AT ANY LEVEL FROM BEGINNER TO EXPERIENCED
THE AUTHOR OFFERS WRITING TOPICS IN EVERY CHAPTER, SO YOU CAN START WRITING, BEFORE YOU EVEN FINISH READING THE BOOK.
ALSO THERE IS A LIST OF SEVERAL HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR WRITERS

ANYONE WHO IS OVERCOMING A GREAT OBSTACLE AND WANTS AN OUTLET FOR ALL OF THAT EMOTION,
WRITING IS A GREAT WAY TO ACCOMPLISH THAT GOAL----
THE AUTHOR STARTED A WRITING GROUP FOR THOSE W/ EMOTIONAL ILLNESSES
AND SOME OF THIS
WRITING GROUP'S MEMBERS,
WRITING
IS FEATURED
IN BRIEF EXCERPTS THROUGHOUT THE BOOK-
---TOO BAD
THIS WRITERS GROUP
IS IN CALIFORNIA,
IT SOUNDS
LIKE
IT WOULD BE HELPFUL

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just "happened" to pick this up in a small bookstore in Vermont. What a gem. Especially the bibliography and resource list in the back. I read this in two days and ordered another 7 books. I do not have the daily struggles of the author, but have recently lost our 17 year old son to suicide, so it helped.

[Jo Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Started April 13th..
Finished April 18th..

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Courageous and therapeutic, she is a born teacher who guides others to break down an overriding life event to small pieces in order to explore each nuance and help yourself get a handle on how to manage it. Gives advice on why and why not to go public with memoirs. Good writing exercise questions in each section and some poetry examples of herself and others throughout.

[Chad · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first bit has some interesting stuff about writing and depression, but nothing I hadn't already read elsewhere. Didn't need the writing prompts. Ahem.

[Sarah Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great self help guide to use journaling to work through depressive thoughts.

[Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read for anyone (writer or not) who knows the pain of anxiety or depression.

You'll find wisdom that will help you to communicate better, gain insight into yourself and others, accept and improve your situation, and recognize that you are worthy of a full life in spite of (or perhaps thanks to) your illness.

There are tons of quotes and writing prompts, as well as an extensive bibliography of other books to help you find ways to heal through creativity and the careful crafting of words.

[Wayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author is well-schooled but depressed to the point of shock treatments. Shares others writings and insight into depression and how to deal with it, insightful.