I don't get "journaling"

[Lost_in_life]

I keep seeing "self help" articles that recommend journaling (sp?) to help with anxiety. When I just even think of writing about my problems I feel MORE anxious and depressed. Does anyone find it helpful? How does it work?

[Hidden]

I think it does but it can be anything you want. It can be something positive for the day or when you feel bad or poems. I write poetry. At first they were very angry and dark but then they were about finding God, my child and so on. I first wrote a book about my experience and my traumas but I became obsessed and more depressed and didn't know what to do with it because it was so revealing and I didn't want anyone to see it. Its worth a try but may not be for everyone.

[Txaps]

I found journaling helpful for me because it takes everything that jumbled and delusional out of your head and onto paper. Then you can read it and she how irrational your being and kind if laugh at yourself. It also helps to look back over your writing after a few months to see if you progressed.

[Skydreamer42]

Treatment is not one size fits all, no matter how much the world makes that appear. I hope you can feel free to talk about your problems here and seek support. Don't feel pressured to do what is uncomfortable, but you are welcome here to share whatever you like.

[Hidden]

It's definitely not for everyone, but like Melhall said it can be anything you want it to be. One time I made a journal that consisted of sketches and images I'd cut out of magazines. It was a way of helping to get out the feelings I couldn't express, or they would be images that symbolized where I'd like to be in life. But if journaling doesn't feel right don't feel pressured.

[Lost_in_life]

Thanks to everyone. (I'm not sure if people will get notified if I reply like this; or if I need to reply to each reply.) I think my problem is that I just get even more freaked out when I think about or talk about or write about the stuff that's bothering me. It makes it all the more difficult to come to any sort of peace over this stuff. It even makes me resistant to doing anything about finding some sort of "talk" therapy, which I think I really need. I don't have many friends to talk to and I've never really been good at talking with my dad, who I live with. (He doesn't like talking about emotional stuff or even just anything problematic.)

As for certain treatments or therapies not being for everyone, I couldn't agree more. I keep reading repetitive blog posts about "treating" anxiety. I'm doing over half the things they recommend with no positive effect. The articles about nutritional "cures" are even more unhelpful... for me, at least. I think a lot of these sorts of articles don't take into account that a LOT of people's anxiety is very "situational." No amount of exercise, journaling, dietary supplements, etc. can fix the situations or life events that trigger and/or prolong anxiety.

In fact, I was improving when I started taking medications for my anxiety and depression. Then an event triggered the anxiety all over again and it spiraled out of control. Even increasing dosage (per doctor's instruction) hasn't helped.

[AZ1970]

It helps me a lot. I tend to discover things I did not know I was thinking and feeling as I journal.

[suzzze]

It helps me a ton. Just release everything you have inside onto paper or on your computer.