Bibliotherapy

How to Accept Hard Life Experiences?

Figure 1

    Many children around your age experience a rough patch in life, some experience death of a family members other seen a historical terror attack unfold in their backyard. A terror attack is a violent acted against a society(1). Max (See Figure 1) is an 8 years old boy who experienced the death of his grandparents from a terror attack.

      Max's parents notice that he changed into an extremely depressed child. His family takes him to their local therapist and try to find out answers. For example, why he isn't as sociable and why his mood and eating habits changed? The therapist states that their child has depression. Depression is "a serious medical condition in which a person feels very sad, hopeless, and unimportant and often is unable to live in a normal way"(2).  In simple terms depression means that you are sad and hopeless. Also, the therapist wants Max to take part of Bibliotherapy as a way to cope. Coping means dealing and overcoming problems and difficulties in life(4). If you cope with your problems you will overall have less stress and be happier.

What is Bibliotherapy?

Figure 2

       Bibliotherapy(bib-leo-ther-a-pee) is using books to aid people of all ages in solving the issues that they are facing in their life(3). In classrooms or libraries typically hold children who take part in Bibliotherapy session (shown in Figure 2). The treatment is structured around problem solving; the therapist identifies the problem and finds a book that mirrors the child's problem and will help his/her's coping process (3). They also try helping child understand the main character's issues, find the best solution for that character and talk about how the child can use this knowledge for their experience(3).       

 

Figure 3

 In Max's case he would have a book with the topic of dealing with death. This book would show him the steps of grief and how this task isn't simple but it will help him in the long run. An example of the book that Max would probably read is shown in figure 3. As he goes though this process with his therapist Max needs to understand what the main character of the book is going through and find ways that they can overcome this grief. They relate how it affects him in his situation. Then he should use that knowledge to his advantage.  

Figure 4

         After going to therapy, Max (See Figure 4) was able to accept the death of his grandfather. Max and his therapist came up with a list of ways for him to cope. For example, they talked about how Max needs to know that it wasn't his fault and he need to forgive the attacker who did wrong. His parents saw their son go from very depressed to a very happy child. They also noticed he became more sociable and he eats his normal three meals a day again.           

Why is this Important?

   Bibliotherapy has helped many children in the past and will help many in the future. If you are feeling down because of any issue that happened get the help you need. Depression can lead to serious problems in your life. When these feelings happen make sure you tell someone they can be your parents, family or teachers. These people care about your safety and will help you in anyway you want them too. 

 

Works Cited

 

(1) Definitions of Terrorism in the U. S Code. (n.d.). Retrieved April 19, 2015, from           http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/investigate/terrorism/terrorism-definition

(2) (n.d.). Retrieved April 19, 2015, from            

          http://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/depression

(3) Pola, A., & Nelson, R. (2014). The Impact of Bibliotherapy on Positive Coping in Children Who Have Experienced Disaster.Therapeutic Recreation                        Journal, 48(4), 341-344.

(4) Sharma, Manoj. 2014. "Coping strategies." Salem Press Encyclopedia Of                       HealthResearch Starters,EBSCOhost (accessed April 21, 2015).