How is life review therapy a way to achieve transformation?
Sharing memories takes you on an adventurous journey that helps you relive moments from the past. The idea of sharing memories has now become a therapy for concerns such as depression, anxiety, and loneliness. Life review therapy is a way to achieve a sense of peace or empowerment about one’s life. It is often confused with the term reminiscence therapy, which is slightly different. On the one hand, people describe a memory, while on the other hand, people say what the memory means to them.
This therapy may not be for everyone, but it does help a certain group of people to look back on their lives with a different perspective. There is no particular topic for therapy, but it usually revolves around childhood, education, friendship, parenthood, working years, etc. You may be asked to bring memorabilia, such as music, photos, letters, possessions, or even family trees that can help you outline your story with every detail and embellishment.
Life review therapy can be performed for a variety of purposes, including therapeutic, educational, and informational. Speaking of therapeutic, it is helpful for people to go deeper into their lives and discover the hidden purpose. Older adults who suffer from diseases such as Dementia, Alzheimer’s, depression, anxiety or those diagnosed with a terminal condition and are facing the pain of losing a loved one can benefit from this therapy. Secondly, educational purpose; Students these days are asked to talk to their parents and grandparents about their past life and experiences that have taught them various life lessons for better understanding. Finally, informative purpose; Sharing memories helps carry family traditions and culture forward for generations to come.
Life review therapy is related to ego integrity and despair. Some studies revealed that life review interventions promoted ego integrity and improved psychological well-being in older people. These studies showed that life review improved personal meaning, increased life satisfaction, increased self-esteem, and promoted adjustment in older people. In addition, the studies also revealed that life review interventions prevented despair in older people.
Conversely, people who have had a miserable past can have deleterious effects from this therapy as it can bring back all the bad memories associated with one’s life and take them on a painful journey. There is a platform that has been working for the well-being of older adults, treating them through life review therapy that they continue to perform regularly individually or in groups. The advantage of having group therapy is that you feel light from sharing your memories and you are strengthened after hearing from other people who may have a completely different experience. Seniors who would love to share their life experience can do so too. Because each person has a story to tell that they can empower not only themselves but also the person who listens to it.