Sponsored by
A novel way of helping people to beat the blues
When it comes to reducing stress and anxiety, Sarah Freeman reports on how a good book may be the best medicine of all.
In quiet moments all authors hope their work may some day change the world.
Few ever realise the dream, but if a scheme currently running in West Yorkshire is anything to go by, novelists may yet be the secret weapon in the battle against stress, depression and loneliness.
When Kirklees appointed its first bibliotherapist at the turn of the millennium, no one took much notice. Some sceptics even scoffed at the idea that a good book might be an alternative to anti-depressants. Nine years on, the scheme has not only survived, but it's proved the doubters wrong.
"The psychological benefits of reading are huge," says Julia Walker, reader development officer at Kirklees Libraries. "Depression can be an incredibly isolating disease, sufferers can find themselves cut off from not only their friends and families, but the rest of society. They feel like they are stuck in a rut, unable to move forward.
"The simple act of reading and finishing a book can give a real sense of achievement. However, the real benefit is that through fiction people can enter different worlds and at a safe distance they can not only hold a mirror up to their own lives, but through the characters they read about they can explore their own emotions."
While much of the early evidence as to the benefits of bibliotherapy were anecdotal, recently psychologists and other health professionals have backed the initiative after documenting changes in their own patients. While still not widely known about, Kirklees Libraries recently hosted a national conference for those interested in setting up their own schemes and the hope is it will eventually lead to a network of groups across the country.
"There are various ways in which bibliotherapy can be used," says Julia. "Often we start with one-to-one sessions to give people the confidence they can not only finish a book, but that they can talk about what they've read.
"We also encourage people to keep a reading diary, noting down the books they read and the emotions they experienced at the time. As the weeks turn into months, it's a way of giving people a sense of perspective and becomes a marker for how they have moved on.
"One lady said that when she looked back at the early entries, a lot of old feelings came flooding back. It wasn't a particularly happy time, but she had come through it and it made her realise that if she ever did feel that way again, she would be in a much better position to cope."
Group workshops run alongside the one-to-one sessions and while much of the early work was concentrated on helping those suffering from mental health problems, Kirklees has recently appointed a further two bibliotherapists to expand the scheme into schools and care homes.
"We are fortunate that we have been embraced by the mainstream and have a very good relationship with the Primary Care Trust," says Julia. "We've worked hard on building strong foundations and we have already started using bibliotherapy to address problems of bullying in schools and to look at how it might benefit the elderly population.
"I went to one care home recently. In the lounge the television was on, but no one was watching and there was very little conversation. The therapist began by gathering the residents into a group and reading some poems and songs which captured a time gone by.
"Almost immediately they began to talk to each other about their own memories and long after the session left they were still chatting away. As people grow older, they often find there's no one to talk to about the past and books are a way of connecting with others.
"Bibliotherapy is not an exact science, there are no right and wrong books to read. War and Peace, for example is probably not going to suit a busy mum, but it may be perfect for someone who is retired. The important thing is the experience of reading and knowing that whatever you think about a particular book, that opinion is valid."
The Bibliotherapy Book List
Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time: Mark Haddon: A teenage boy with Asperger's syndrome tries to make sense of the often messy world of adult emotions which surround him.
Private – Keep Out: Gwen Grant: The youngest child in a working class 1940s' family describes her adventures growing up and exposes her family's weaknesses.
Taxi Driver's Daughter: Julia Darling: The effects on an ordinary family of the sudden and unexpected arrest of the mother, told with care and delicacy.
The Clothes They Stood Up In: Alan Bennett: A novella describing how a conventional couple cope when a theft leaves them with nothing but the clothes they are wearing.
Surgically Enhanced: Pam Ayres: Funny and honest poetry which has universal appeal.
Email to a friend
Print this page- Leeds lose Ward to Palace: Is there anyone they can afford now?
- Sheffield Wednesday leaving it late to hijack Leeds United over Ward
- As Snodgrass dithers over Leeds, Warnock throws a lifeline
- Ball is in Leeds United’s court over contract - Snodgrass
- Police turning blind eye to Asian voter fraud, says MP
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
