Why We Get Sick: How You Get Well : The Healing Power of Feelings

by Arthur Janov, Efrem Zimbalist Jr.

In understandable terms, Dr. Janov explains the causes and cures for many common maladies.

Audio Cassette

First published August 1, 1996

About the author

Psychologist, psychotherapist, and the creator of primal therapy, a treatment for mental illness that involves repeatedly descending into, feeling, and expressing long-repressed childhood pain. Janov directed a psychotherapy institute called the Primal Center in Santa Monica, California.

Janov wrote that his professional life changed in a single day in 1967 with the discovery of what he calls Primal Pain.During a therapy session, Janov heard what he describes as, “an eerie scream welling up from the depths of a young man lying on the floor”. He developed primal therapy, in which clients are encouraged to re-live and express repressed feelings.

Janov's patients included John Lennon and Yoko Ono.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_J...

Reviews

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Janov argues that neurosis is the root cause of illness, which is the result of birth and early childhood trauma. Reliving these traumatic memories through primal therapy allows patients to release repressed feelings that have been stored in the unconscious so that the mind-body can be restored to its natural state of health and wellbeing. “Connection is the be-all and end-all of healing, the goal of the primal process,” Janov claims, offering multiple case studies to support his argument.

[Dave Hardy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The attention to SCIENCE was the hallmark of Dr Janov's work; also that Primal Therapy is flourishing these decafes later, with thousands of life changing testimonials. It was one of the most industry threatening therapies ever. People get well, do not need lifelong drugs or weekly sessions,that had fractured their normalcy.

[Adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most, if not all of the proof of the primal therapy is anecdotal.
An interesting read, albeit if you look for a way to understand and heal trauma look elsewhere.

Nowadays almost no one practices primal healing and there's no scientific evidence that this approach works.

The key takeaway is 'The feeling is the healing'. I'd argue it takes much more to heal than just to 'feel it'.

[Beth Stephenson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some invaluable insights, for sure. But so much jargon I found myself muddling through and finally giving up. Perhaps a primal?

[Mr · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sorry, but kind of sounds like hokum. Not scientific, no data just opinion.