Any bookworm will tell you that a great book can change your life, but can the right book help with anxiety, depression or trauma? Some psychologists say yes.
Healing through reading isn't a new idea — according to Psychology Today, the ancient Greeks and Egyptians believed that libraries were sacred places that could restore the soul. But modern bibliotherapy usually combines literature with discussion to help patients process traumatic experiences, learn more about their symptoms, and experience hope and joy.
Bibliotherapy is generally used alongside more conventional therapy approaches like cognitive-behavioral therapy to help patients experiencing mood disorders, trauma, addiction, grief, or relationships challenges like divorce. Therapists tailor their recommendations to suit the unique needs and preferences of each patient — for example, they may assign a novel about a person who survives a trauma or a nonfiction book about coping with loss.
But can books replace therapy entirely? Probably not, according to the BBC. Several experts noted that there's little evidence to support bibliotherapy as a primary method to treat specific mental health conditions. And for some patients, bibliotherapy simply isn't an appropriate or effective treatment.
Can books heal? It's debatable. But for many of us, they can at least help.
Rick Good spent ten years in the newspaper business, including with The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) and The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). He co-wrote, with Melinda Coleman, Rutledge to Riley: Governors of South Carolina, 1776–Present (Published by The Greenville News), and is the author of Mind Games Trivia #1 (Amazon). He has recently spent 15 years creating original trivia content through Sounds Good Mobile Entertainment and continues that with his new company, SGME Software. He edits The Smart Reader’s money, real estate, and business coverage.
