Research
Using Smartphones to Monitor Bipolar Disorder Symptoms: A Pilot Study
https://mental.jmir.org/article/viewFile/mental_v3i1e2/2
Sparking Creativity in Healing
A 50-minute video of a workshop delivered at the DBSA 2008 National Conference
by Elizabeth Maynard Schaefer, PhD
https://www.facingus.org/creativity/workshops
Creativity and Psychopathology: A Shared-Vulnerability Model
https://isites.harvard.edu/fs/docs/icb.topic625827.files/Review_Paper_-_Carson.pdf
Self-management strategies used by ‘high functioning’ individuals with bipolar disorder: from research to clinical practice
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cpp.710/full
The effects of journaling for women with newly diagnosed breast cancer
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15704148
Reducing Maternal Psychological Distress After the NICU Experience Through Journal Writing
https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ650509.pdf
A Chaotic Companion: Writers and Writing with Bipolar Disorder
https://dspace.iup.edu/bitstream/handle/2069/181/Lauren%20DiPaula%20Corrected.pdf?sequence=1
Constructive Psychotherapy
https://www.imd.inder.cu/adjuntos/article/397/Constructive%20Psychotherapy.pdf
Resources
For generating visual “Word Clouds”:
Wordle.net
For viewing a line graph that shows changes in word frequency over time:
Voyant 2.0: Terms Radio
https://voyant-tools.org/view=termsradio
For determining whether a text is positive or negative (or neutral):
Sentiment Analysis with Python NLTK Text Classification
https://text-processing.com/demo/sentiment/
For analyzing the frequency of recurring words and phrases:
Text Analyzer
https://www.online-utility.org/text/analyzer.jsp
For more textual research tools:
TAPoR 3
https://tapor-test.artsrn.ualberta.ca/home
For testing, using classic literature:
Top 100 – Project Gutenberg
https://www.gutenberg.org/browse/scores/top
Writing Prompts
My favorite: Free Write (write as fast as you can, without contemplating, planning, editing, or stopping)
“The first time I ever…”
Find an object in the room you are in and write about it
Write about your first memory
Describe your childhood kitchen
Tell the story of a mysterious thing that happened to you
Describe a sound that you love
Describe a smell that you love
How do you feel about your illness?
Describe your illness
How did you feel when you were first diagnosed with your illness?
Write about a problem in your life
Describe the pain you feel, in detail
Describe a soothing image
Make a gratitude list
Make a goal list (be unrealistic — imagine that you have infinite time, intelligence, and money)
Tell the story of your illness and make up a happy ending (make yourself into a mythical hero)
Retell the story of a past event, but change the focus (try different explanations or emotional consequences, with a shift toward the positive) — repeat this process, using the same story
Imagine that you died yesterday and write about what you wish you had accomplished
Describe someone whom you admire
Describe the person you want to be (use “I am…”)
Ask your soul to speak to you, so that you may reunite (from Carl Jung’s Red Book: “My soul, where are you? Do you hear me? I speak, I call you-are you there? I have returned, I am here again. I have shaken the dust of all the lands from my feet, and I have come to you, I am with you.”)
Tips
“File” > “Restrict Permissions” > “Restricted Access”
Do it every day, at the same time every day (first thing in the morning, before bed, or both) — Rhythm is motivating
Write about specifics instead of broad general terms
Listen to music, preferably without words — I recommend Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos:
Recommended Books
The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
https://www.amazon.com/Artists-Way-Julia-Cameron/dp/1585421464/
(4.5 / 5 — 1034 reviews)
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/615570.The_Artist_s_Way
(3.89 / 5 — 57,459 ratings)
Writing as a Way of Healing: How Telling Our Stories Transforms Our Lives by Louise DeSalvo
https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0062515195/
(4.7 / 5 — 56 reviews)
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/798896.Writing_as_a_Way_of_Healing
(4.08 / 5 — 472 ratings)
Writing Through the Darkness: Easing Your Depression with Paper and Pen by Elizabeth Maynard Schaefer
https://www.amazon.com/Writing-Through-Darkness-Easing-Depression/dp/1587613190
(4.6 / 5 — 7 reviews)
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3367582-writing-through-the-darkness
(3.92 / 5 — 38 ratings)
Final Thought
“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.” -Helen Keller