Apparently, they can.
Bibliotherapy is an approach to mental health treatments being used by Dr. Martina Schlotens, a Canadian physiatrist. She will prescribe books to patients based on their needs. The reading prescription can be done as a solo treatment or in conjunction with other treatments.
While it may sound New Age, using reading and writing as a medicinal treatment has been around for centuries. In fact, Greek writer Aeschylus once penned, “Words are the physicians of a mind diseased.”
Dr. Schlotens uses a variety of genres with her patients. For some, she may prescribe poetry. For others, a self-help book. It all comes down to the issues they are having and finding the appropriate words to help them on their healing journey.
For me, I’m a firm believer that books and words can heal. I’ve been an avid reader since I was a child and have escaped into books when I’ve needed to get away from reality for a while. In them, I’ve found healing with characters I could relate to, situations that mirrored my own life, and phrases that helped me to see things from a different perspective.
I’m also a proponent of journaling. Daily writing helps me to process things, to work through issues, understand pain, and grow as a human being.
Books – regardless of the genre – are powerful tools, not only for education, but also for understanding the world around us and understanding ourselves. Perhaps this is why there are certain groups who want to keep them out of our hands.
A well-read person is a powerful person. They can think rationally, be creative, and see the world with eyes wide open. Maybe more people should be prescribed books as a form of therapy. It might make the world a better place.
RB
Wholeheartedly agreed!
Thanks, Hannah!
Great topic to discuss
Thank you!
I once conceived of ~ even began work on ~ a catalog of great quotations for this same kind of use, or for speech making or gift giving. Perhaps I would go back to that endeavor if ever given a bit of energy spare. It still seems to me to be a good idea. This was ten years ago ~ perhaps it was a bit before it’s time…
I’m going to forward some of this to my own readers as a quotation, with honorable mention of your site (will send the link back, if I can flog this scatterbrain into any semblance of methodic order)
Later, bro
Couldn’t copy and paste from your site on my screen, but will forward the “physicians of mind” quote with grateful mention 🙋
Many thanks, Ana! I appreciate the kindness.
I think giving a collection of great quotes to people as gifts is a wonderful idea.
👌✨🙋
This I believe! I am happiest when reading a mind blowing book 😌
I guess we can more or less categorise is as creative therapy
Oh, I like that! Creative therapy!
We should start a business. International non-profit spreading creative therapy to those in need! 🙂
That would be the dream!
If you happen to know an organization who could benefit from my drawings, let me know. A hospital or school or something like that.
And of course I can always alter them to make it more child friendly!
Books and drawing are a bit of a life saver for me so if it could help anyone else, that would be awesome!
I like the idea of being prescribed a book rather than medicine.
That makes two of us, Sheree! I’m not a fan of pharmaceuticals, so a good book is the perfect prescription for me.
Ditto
Thanks for mentioning Bibliotherapy, Richard. I discovered it while I was in Library School, back when they still had card catalogs. Great share.
Thanks, Pat.
I miss card catalogs. Something about the smell of those dusty old cards was comforting.
“A well read person is a powerful person.” I will use that quote often. Thank you for that. Good post.
Thanks so much, Devonne! Knowledge is power! 🙂