Does Writing Reduce Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms?

Authors

Pamela B. Deters, University of Southern Mississippi
Lillian M. Range, University of Southern MississippiFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2003

School

Psychology

Abstract

To see if writing about their trauma lessened PTSD and related symptoms, 57 undergraduates, previously screened for traumatic experiences, wrote for 15 minutes on 4 days across 2 weeks about either their traumatic or a trivial topic. They reported PTSD. impact, suicide ideas, dissociation, and depression pre-, post-, and at 6-week follow-up testing. Trauma and trivial writers were not different. Surprisingly, at follow-up everyone reported less severe PTSD symptoms, impact, and dissociation, and fewer health visits, but about same suicidal ideation and depression. On PTSD symptoms and impact, the pattern of improvement was different: Those writing about trauma got worse at posttesting, but improved to better than their initial state by follow-up. Those writing about a trivial topic got better by posttesting, and held that position at follow-up. In this project, writing seemed to reduce PTSD symptoms regardless of whether it concerned the trauma or what they ate for lunch.

Publication Title

Violence and Victims

Volume

18

Issue

5

First Page

569

Last Page

580

Recommended Citation

Deters, P., Range, L. (2003). Does Writing Reduce Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms?. Violence and Victims, 18(5), 569-580.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/20967