Journaling to Cope with Mental Illness

One of the many things I wish to discuss in great detail on this blog (in fact, it is one of the core missions) is how journaling and any writing for that matter can help one become mindful of whatever mental illness they may have or even for the average reader who needs to work on confronting emotions and thoughts of any kind.

I found a post about a how a young lady uses journaling to cope with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This link is actually to a guest post by a blogger who is visiting the site that you will be directed to. It is a good, resourceful read. I hope you get something out of it.

Writing Away Mental Illness

Battling OCD and ADD is a long war. You win some, you lose some. But it is a war worth fighting.  There are multiple lines of attack. You can try the medical management defense, which sometimes help. There are also time management strategies for ADD and cognitive behavioral therapy for OCD. But there is another weapon in the arsenal - the written word. After all, the pen IS mightier than the sword. Pun intended. 

The obsessions, although relentless and ravaging at times, can also help me as a writer. In a literal way. A group of obsessive thoughts may go like this: why can’t I see from another person’s perspective (both mentally and physically). Physically seeing something through some else's eyes is an impossibility (for now, at least) however, if I truly want to know something about someone, what better way than to describe them as a character.

I also obsess over occupations. My brain says “Why can’t I be in every occupation known to humankind?” This is an absurd thought, and I know it is not possible. Sure, when we are able to download information into our brains it will make it easier. But, until then, I’ll have to settle for normal research, and to carry that over into my fiction. While writing fiction, I can BE that other person. I can BE in that occupation. I can research to my heart’s content, although it may not satisfy that OCD beast. At least, it may quiet that SOB for a little while.

Sometimes, I think this is my subconscious telling me I need to get to work, already. How do I know this will work? Because it’s a game in my head and I’ve already seen the outcome. No, seriously. I need to get butt in chair and bang at the keyboard. Let it all loose. I think I will surprise myself. Like I said, I am a work in progress. I don’t have all the answers but I do know, writing is a catharsis, a release, if you will. These are not my only reasons for writing; I have many more. But it’s a pretty good motivational tool.

When I sit down to write, I have to force myself to think about one thing at a time, which is difficult to do with ADD. I consider it training time for my brain. It’s the only time when I have to slow my thoughts so that I can make at least SOME kind of sense.

How does writing help you? Do you feel a release of emotion when you write?

Objectives and Confession

Thank you for visiting my website. I hope you will continue to follow me in my course of pursuing a Writer's Life while at the same time battling mental illness. This won't be a twitter or facebook type of posting. I hope to post  meaningful, relevant information that can help those of both camps: The aspiring author, those with mental illnesses, and those who are both.

Those whose lives are not affected by mental illness will hopefully find compassion and understanding in those who do, as well as possibly learning a thing or two about the writing process from the little I do know and what I am learning as I go. Those who do suffer from a mental illness, I wish to impart to them how writing can assist with the healing process. A cathartic process that can apply to anybody in any situation. One that I am embarking on currently.

I confess that although I've read a lot of fiction and many books on the art and craft of writing, I am in no way an expert. However, my goal is to live a Writer's Life, and the invitation is open to join me as I learn and grow.