Writing From Your “Parts” For Healing Purposes

Understanding the Different Parts of Your Writing

If you’ve ever engaged in therapeutic healing writing or self-expressive creativity, you may have noticed that different parts of yourself come forward when you write. These parts can have different roles and motivations, which can impact the quality and depth of your writing. It’s important to recognize when you’re blending with these parts, rather than just identifying with them, as there may be conflicting parts that also have something to contribute to your writing.

In our upcoming Write To Heal: IFS + Memoir Writing six-week online class, we will be teaching a process for working with these different parts that may be inclined to write memoir material. When writing therapeutic or creative memoirs, it’s common for different parts to tell different stories about the significant moments that shaped your life. By exploring these different perspectives, you can gain a deeper understanding of your experiences and enhance the authenticity of your writing.

Exploring Different Perspectives: An Example

Let’s take a moment to explore an example that demonstrates how different parts can shape the narrative of a key moment in your life. In January 2006, a two-week sequence of events split my life into “Before my Perfect Storm” and “After my Perfect Storm.” Here are a few snippets from different parts of myself describing this event:

Grieving Part

I’m in the recovery room, recovering from a C-section, when I see my father enter the room. He’s flown to San Diego to meet his grandchild for the first time and to spend his final moments with me. He looks frail and weak, but his eyes fill with tears when he sees me. My mother rushes to grab her new granddaughter, but my father takes his time to reach me. He hugs me tightly and whispers, “I’m ready to go now.” I can’t imagine my life without him, and the thought of raising a child who will never know their grandfather breaks my heart.

Angry, Vindictive Part

Just weeks after my C-section and my father’s death, I’m expected to go back to work. As a doctor, I’m supposed to be superhuman and ignore the need for proper healing and bonding time with my baby. I’ve tried complaining, but my colleagues dismiss my concerns. It’s frustrating to see that the rules we set for our patients don’t apply to us. Where is the empathy and compassion for me as a new mother?

“Surgeon Mode” Part

When things are falling apart, I can kick into “surgeon mode” and focus on the task at hand. After my C-section, I experienced complications and wasn’t receiving the care I needed. I took matters into my own hands and wrote my own orders to ensure my well-being. I discharged myself from the hospital to better care for myself and be there for my dying father.

This example demonstrates how different parts of yourself can have contrasting perspectives on the same event. By acknowledging and exploring these different parts, you can gain a deeper understanding of your experiences and bring more depth and vulnerability to your writing.

Writing From Parts Vs. Writing From Self

It’s important to recognize that these accounts are not written from a unified sense of Self. Instead, they are blended with different parts of yourself. In our Write To Heal: IFS + Memoir Writing class, we will teach you how to work with these parts and bring in your compassionate, wise Self to witness and guide the writing process. By doing so, you can better navigate the different voices and perspectives and create a final manuscript that authentically reflects your experiences.

If you’re interested in exploring this writing and healing practice for yourself, we invite you to join us for WRITE TO HEAL: IFS + MEMOIR WRITING. The class begins next week, so don’t miss out on this transformative opportunity. Register now!

We look forward to seeing you in class!

The post Writing From Your “Parts” For Healing Purposes first appeared on Lissa Rankin.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do we mean by complementary medicine?

Complementary Medicine refers to any medical treatment that works in conjunction with mainstream medicine. This includes massage therapy, acupuncture and aromatherapy as well as traditional Chinese medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, yoga, and reflexology.

Complementary medications are not to be used as an alternative to conventional medicine. Because they combine Western scientific methods with other proven healing methods, they are sometimes called “alternative” and “integrative medicine.”

What is holistic medical opposite?

Holistic medicine is a way to approach health care that takes into account all aspects of the body, as well as its spiritual, emotional, and social dimensions. Holistic medicine is based upon the belief that all illnesses must have multiple causes. Therefore, it requires a combination treatment to maximize effectiveness.

Doctors who practice holistic medicine believe that prevention is better than cure. They partner with patients to achieve optimal wellness.

They look for the root causes of disease to prevent them from returning. Holistic physicians treat the entire body, not just its organs. Holistic physicians often refer to the whole being as “the Body”.

They treat the whole body, not just the skin. The doctor might recommend lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise. He might also recommend yoga or meditation, herbal supplements, massages, acupuncture, chiropractic care, or other forms alternative medicine.

Complementary and Alternative Healthcare: Is it Evidence-based?

Although evidence for complementary and other medicine is still being developed, there are many benefits to these treatments. You might have tried traditional treatments and found them ineffective. Or you may be looking for an alternative treatment because it has more benefits than conventional care. Alternatively, they might seek complementary and alternative medicines as part of a holistic approach to health. It is vital that patients verify that all complementary and alternative medicines are supported by scientific evidence. Ask your pharmacist or doctor if you have any doubts about whether the treatment is working. It will save you time and money over the long-term.

Statistics

The concept of regression toward the mean implies that an extreme result is more likely to be followed by a less extreme result. (en.wikipedia.org)
An assessment of conventional treatments found that 41.3% concluded positive or possibly positive effects, 20% concluded no effect, 8.1% concluded net harmful effects, and 21.3% concluded insufficient evidence. (en.wikipedia.org)
category.[111]Edzard Ernst characterized the evidence for many alternative techniques as weak, nonexistent, or negative and in 2011, published his estimate that about 7.4% were based on “sound evidence.” However, he believes that may be an overestimate. (en.wikipedia.org)
A 15-year systematic review published in 2022 on the global acceptance and use of CAM among medical specialists found the overall acceptance of CAM at 52% and the overall use at 45%. (en.wikipedia.org)
According to the World Health Organization, 80% of people use herbal medicine worldwide. (webmd.com)

External Links

How To

What are the 4 types of complementary or alternative medicine?

The main categories of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) are mind-body, natural products as well as manipulative therapies. Mind-body medicine encompasses yoga, Tai Chi, Reiki and massage therapy. It also includes homeopathy, homeopathy, aromatherapy (reflexology), naturopathy biofeedback, Hypnosis, hypnosis, and chiropractic care. Natural products include herbs vitamins, minerals, nutritional supplements, and botanicals. Manipulative therapies include physical manipulation such as osteopathic and chiropractic care, acupuncture, therapeutic exercise, and bodywork. Prayer and visualization are some of the techniques used for energy healing.

CAM is a general term that covers many health practices not covered by Western medical models. These practices can be supported by scientific evidence, or they may involve surgery. They also vary in terms of the conditions they treat. Some CAM practitioners can also do diagnostic testing (e.g., blood test) and prescribe medication. Others do neither.

There are many subcategories that fall within each of these categories. In mind-body medicine there are relaxation techniques. Natural products are nutritional supplements, botanical medicines, homeopathic remedies, essential oils, probiotics, nutraceuticals, herbal preparations, medicinal plants, and teas. Manual, movement, traction and electrotherapies are all forms of manipulative therapy. They include cupping, stretching and myofascial release. Trigger point therapy, orthotics, neurostimulation, trigger point therapy, manuals, trigger points, trigger point therapy, orthopedics. Spiritual healing includes faith healing and prayer.

Many CAM treatments help symptoms without addressing the cause of the disease. However, CAM may provide relief for some chronic diseases. If used properly, CAM can be combined with conventional treatments.

There are many reasons that people use CAM.

To improve their overall wellness.
To manage a certain condition.
To reduce discomfort or pain
To prevent illness.
To promote wellness.
To address a personal belief.

People turn to CAM for greater control of their health than conventional medicine. Some may feel it has less side effects. Others prefer CAM to stay away from prescription medications. Others still prefer not take prescription drugs if they are possible. Others seek out CAM after having bad experiences with traditional medicine.

Some people who use CAM claim they want to be confident about what they’re doing before trying out new techniques. Many CAM users ask questions about the safety and effectiveness of CAM. Others rely on friends and family for word of mouth.

Although CAM is sometimes viewed negatively in society, many users have positive feelings about it. People who use CAM are generally happier and healthier than people who don’t. This is true regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, income, education level, occupation, insurance status, or other factors.

Nearly all Americans use some kind of complementary and/or alternative medicine. Nearly all adults–95%–use one type of CAM at least once during their lifetime. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health(NCCIH), there were approximately 40 million visits to CAM providers between 2010 and 2010.

According to the NCCIH, 10 percent of Americans use chiropractors, massage therapists and acupuncturists.3 This compares with only 2 percent who use medical doctors.

The American Medical Association reiterated its support for integrative medical care in 2013. It recognized that doctors must “integrate scientifically valid alternative and complementary medicine into clinical practices…to meet patients’ needs.”

The Institute of Medicine published a groundbreaking report in 2007 entitled “Relaxing Contraints: Improving access to Complementary and Alternative Healthcare.” It concluded that there is no credible evidence that any particular CAM intervention is effective in treating or preventing cancer.

Despite this conclusion, CAM continues to grow in popularity. The 2008 number of CAM practitioners increased 8 percent compared with 2007.

A recent study found that almost half of the respondents reported using CAM as part of their primary healthcare regimen.

CAM therapies can include natural products, mind/body practices, manipulative methods, energy healing techniques, exercise, dietary supplementation, and other approaches.

Many CAM treatments are used primarily for pain relief. However, they can also be used to improve mood, sleep quality, stress reduction, and immunity.

Acupuncture can, for example help with chronic back pain, anxiety and depression, improve immune function as well as promote weight loss.

Many CAM treatments are based on traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, and their roots go back thousands of years.

For example, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) originated 5,000 years ago and has been practiced in China since ancient times.

TCM is an important component of modern health care.

TCM is used to treat a majority of Americans.

Yoga is another popular CAM remedy. Around 5000 B.C., yoga was born in India. It is now accepted all over the world.

Yoga has gained popularity due to its physical, mental, as well as spiritual benefits.

Yoga can relieve stress, improve flexibility, and increase strength.

Yoga has been shown to improve sleep33, even though there is not much scientific evidence. It may also be beneficial for insomnia sufferers.

Other CAM treatments, like meditation, homeopathy and aromatherapy are also gaining acceptance in mainstream medical practice.

One of the most common types of CAM used today is herbal medicine.

Herbal medicines include herbs, spices and flowers, seeds, fruits and mushrooms, bark, leaves roots, stems, and bark.

They are often considered safer than prescription drugs and are used widely by consumers.

The U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health estimates that about 90 million Americans use some form of complementary/alternative medicine.

According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), 45% of adult cancer patients used alternative medicine during their treatment.

The National Institutes of Health estimates that 60% of patients with cancer use CAM, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that about 50% of all cancer survivors report using CAM.

A recent study found that 51% of patients with cancer used at least one type or another of CAM.

However, only 8% discussed the topic with their physicians.

This lack of communication between conventional medical providers and CAM users represents a significant gap in healthcare delivery.

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If you or another person is suffering from a medical issue and you are concerned, consult your doctor or seek out other medical professional treatment as soon as possible. Do not disregard medical advice from a professional or delay seeking it due to information you seen on the blog or website or in any of the linked materials. If you’re experiencing an emergency medical situation, dial 911 or seek emergency medical assistance on the closest phone immediately.

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By: Karoline
Title: Writing From Your “Parts” For Healing Purposes
Sourced From: lissarankin.com/writing-from-your-parts-for-healing-purposes/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=writing-from-your-parts-for-healing-purposes
Published Date: Wed, 10 Jan 2024 23:39:29 +0000