HJNO May/Jun 2021

HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF NEW ORLEANS  I  MAY / JUN 2021 55 Jan Kasofsky, PhD Senior Vice President of Behavioral Health & Human Services Access Health Louisiana IN MY MIND’S EYE, I have traveled to London, Venice, Paris, Tehran, a small village in Burma and many more places I will likely never go. I have been inside monasteries, hospitals, book shops, trains, jails, on battlefields and ridden horse- back in Appalachia; I have time traveled into past and future centuries, and I have been in joyful and fearful situations. I have “lived” in the minds of people I will never know, but I have experienced their highs and lows, their births and deaths, and learned from the outcomes of their deci- sions. While books may serve as a respite, especially over this past year of limited activities and human interactions, they can offer us growth opportunities as well. Well-written fiction offers insights into our own emotions and struggles and can make us more empathetic toward people unlike ourselves. Unlike self-help books that are directive, a fictional story or character can present situations that fully or partially align with our own current issues or concerns. You may find yourself in a new situation, or perhaps trying to problem solve, console, advise or empathize with someone going through something you yourself have nev- er gone through. You might be surprised to find that perhaps the answer to your prob- lem, or theirs, may be found in the fictional story you are reading. Whilemost reading is for leisure, market research showed that sales of print books rose 8.2% and e-book sales were up 72% in 2020 over 2019. Surveys on pandemic reading showed that there were two types of readers: those who read new books and those who reread books for comfort. This survey begs the question of whether or not reading somehow has a therapeutic value? There are actual biological changes that occur in our brains when we read books that excite and surprise us. Stud- ies published by neuroscientists and psy- chologists report that we get a boost of dopamine, the brain chemical known to counteract depression. At the end of World War II, mental health professionals be- gan exploring the value of incorporating fiction into their therapeutic approaches. They found that assigning a book to their clients/patients and discussing it in their therapy session provided a nonthreaten- ing means to discuss painful issues. Using fictional books within a thera- peutic approach is known as “bibliothera- py.” The use of fiction is not considered a “school of therapy,”but a tool for therapists who encounter resistance. This approach can provide insights into oneself through a character or situation in the assigned book. It is thought to help patients gain insights into a difficult past or current situation by drawing connections between them and fictional characters. Bibliotherapy has been found useful with patients suffering from anxiety, addiction or other mood dis- orders; those struggling with trauma or depression; or those going through grief, a divorce or other relationship-related chal- lenges. It is also a useful tool with children and adolescents who may have trouble conceptualizing their own situation or are resistant to discussing it. Regardless of whether you read in the context of a therapeutic approach with a mental health professional or read inde- pendently, our ability to be transported through a story can bring us peace through our physiologic reactions and provide in- sights into our own struggles. Like all new endeavors, starting to read or reengaging in reading if you are cur- rently not a reader, takes a plan. Look for a specific author or story that is engag- ing; it may or may not be obvious from the start, but as you delve deeper into the book, you will likely find characters and situations that offer lessons to use with- in your own life or circumstance. If you have not read for pleasure in a while, you may be frustrated at the time it takes to read; but stick with it, and your skills will progress with less effort and distraction. Find a comfortable place to settle in and think about if you would prefer to start or end your day reading; having a cer- tain place and time to read will support your transition to be a “reader.” If reading a book does not fit into your lifestyle or schedule, you may opt to enjoy listening to a good audible book. You may want to look for opportunities to join a book club; not only will membership in the club help you select a book, it will offer time to discuss it with others to deepen your insight into the story and characters as well as provide opportunities for sis- terhood/brotherhood and making new friends. Research suggests that reading books — particularly those offering a new per- spective or taking a reader outside of their comfort zone — can increase em- pathy, tolerance for others and interper- sonal skills, such as the ability to read the emotions of others, so no matter the reason you choose to pick up a fictional book or listen to an audible, I believe that in this day and time, we can each agree, that is a very good thing. n