“Trauma Journaling”

CuddleButtLOLCuddleButtLOL
in General

I stumbled upon something that may be useful for mental health. I’m listening to Huberman Lab podcast number 151, released Nov 20 (today); here’s my quick summary. If you find it interesting, you may want to listen to the episode, it’s only an hour and 38 minutes (his are usually much longer).

Pick the most traumatic experience of your life, and journal nonstop (don’t worry about spelling or grammar, just write continuously) about it for 15 to 30 minutes, either 4 days in a row, or once a week for 4 consecutive weeks. After each session, allow 5 to 10 minutes to recover, because it might be stressful. Wait one week after the last of the four sessions, and then Huberman describes how to analyze the content. You’re only writing for yourself, and you can destroy the writing after you’re done. Studies have shown that this type of journaling can have positive effects lasting for years.

Comments

  • pmvinespmvines

    That’s a form of desensitization therapy that is quite helpful for certain people but it can also lead to more trauma when reliving it over and over like that and I would use caution about doing any type of trauma related therapy exercises without advising and being given guidance from somebody trained in trauma informed therapy . The interwebs are a great resource , but not everyone’s brain is going to work the same with this sort of stuff .

  • CuddleButtLOLCuddleButtLOL

    @pmvines Thanks for the insightful comment and caution! I think I’ve also heard that about Zen meditation, people get into a calm state and then scary thoughts can bubble up to the surface, and can cause stressful feelings, especially if not anticipated.

  • SunsetSnugglesSunsetSnuggles

    @CuddleButtLOL This does sound useful, though as @pmvines warned, likely very triggering, at least for me. I would likely do it knowing a panic attack would ensue, and have nothing else planned for the day, as I would likely pass out, after. But it is something I have never attempted, and would like to.

    ~ Sunset Snuggles

    🦄 Enthusiast 🏞 Travel Fiend 🐘 Animal Lover

  • pmvinespmvines

    @SunsetSnuggles yes certainly suggest especially if you have concerns then to only do it under the guidance and supervision of a trained professional ! Anybody can go online and learn about just about everything these days but that doesn't always mean it will be appropriate , or in cases like.this, that it won't cause harm to the person so just be really cautious about what cans of worms you open.

  • SunsetSnugglesSunsetSnuggles

    @pmvines Fo' sho'.

    ~ Sunset Snuggles

    🦄 Enthusiast 🏞 Travel Fiend 🐘 Animal Lover

  • pmvinespmvines

    @SunsetSnuggles I dunno them is some awfully inviting worms I’d wanna open them up just to boop their snoots

  • SunsetSnugglesSunsetSnuggles

    @pmvines 😂 I know, ugh, so tempting...

    ~ Sunset Snuggles

    🦄 Enthusiast 🏞 Travel Fiend 🐘 Animal Lover

  • Nature_Lover_Nature_Lover_

    @CuddleButtLOL thanks for posting!! I'm a huge Huberman fan and I I'll check this out asap!

  • timbear50timbear50

    @SunsetSnuggles and @pmvines kudos for the caution, it's right to "seek a doctors advice before starting treatment," mental or physical health. As well qualified as Huberman is, no doubt he adds the same caveat as you did in his podcast.

    Sadly our health care system in the US excludes huge numbers of people, especially for mental health. By one freshly googled study 42% could not afford mental health care in the past 12 months. Meanwhile our phones and tech execs crush our dopamine in a race to the bottom of the brain stem.

    Personally, I've been sound enough to self direct on several mental health modalities, including focused journaling. As mentioned "helpful for some.." Not only is the info available but there has been an explosion of modalities, and increased understanding of talk therapy limitations. I'd love to share more but this doesn't seem to be the right venue.

    Precautions and warnings are needed. Trauma can show up and be truly damaging in the present. And we need cost-effective mental health solutions more now than ever before. Anyone know of other sites that discuss emerging modalities more thoroughly?

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