Have you ever been overwhelmed by intense emotions? Has rage taken over the best of you? Or in that moment of betrayal, have you looked for ways to vent and express yourself in more extreme ways? If yes, then you’re not alone. Many people frequently deal with these emotions. Some seek support from family and friends, while others resort to professional care.
Interestingly, some people have also found comfort in something called scream therapy, a type of psychotherapy that gives voice to the overwhelming emotions residing silently within us, Dr Sanjay Garg, Consultant, Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences, Fortis Hospital, Anandapur, tells the OnlyMyHealth team.
So how does this form of therapy work, and is it beneficial in the long run? Let’s find out.
Also Read: #MentalHealthMatters: What Is Talk Therapy And How Does It Benefit You?
What Is Scream Therapy?
Scream, or primal therapy, was developed in the 1960s by a psychologist named Arthur Janov, who believed that psychological issues, or neurosis, were caused by repressed emotions.
According to him, all creatures are born with needs, and when these needs are not fulfilled, it leads to neurotic behaviour.
Dr Garg says that screaming, or scream therapy, can help to deal with stress and anxiety by releasing endorphins, a hormone released by the body under the circumstances of experiencing pain or stress in the Central Nervous System (CNS).
In addition, he shares that screaming:
- helps release complicated emotions.
- empowers the person by inculcating reassurance of their rights to express
- removes the mental blocks and tension.
Can Screaming Help Beat Stress?
According to Dr Garg, screaming has cathartic effects and can be therapeutic to a certain extent.
The act allows a person to release strong emotions that were previously held back or bottled up.
“In this connotation, screaming is used as a part of psychological therapy wherein the person reacts vocally and physically to relieve the psychic pain,” the doctor explains.
However, research on scream therapy is limited, as per a study published in the Zeitschrift für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychoanalyse, in which the authors concluded that primal therapy is not a valid therapeutic technique.
Dr Garg says that screaming eradicates stress for a certain period but does not cure it completely.
Therefore, it is suggested that screaming should be used as a short-term therapy to reduce stress because it is not a healthy strategy for regulating emotions, he adds.
Also Read: Impact of Receding Hairline On Mental Health: Here's How You Can Deal With It
Other Ways To Relieve Stress And Anxiety
Other effective ways to deal with stress and anxiety include:
- Indulging in more physical activities like exercising, yoga, etc.
- Practising mindfulness like meditation
- Leading a healthy lifestyle means eating a balanced diet and avoiding intoxication.
- Involvement in activities like journaling, reading, planting, or other preferred activities.
- Spending quality time with family and friends.
- Seeking psychotherapy.
Conclusion
Screaming, or scream therapy, can be a short-term solution to stress and anxiety. It is a great way to let out steam and release strong emotions that have been hidden for a long time. However, this form of therapy may not be a healthy solution in the long run, says Dr Garg. It is always beneficial to speak with a mental health professional who can guide you better with appropriate treatment and therapies.
[Disclaimer: The information in this article is shared by an expert and is for informational purposes only.] Hence, we advise you to consult your mental health expert if you face any issues for proper diagnosis and treatment.