Journal Benefits

On the cover of a booklet offered in the waiting room of my children's pediatrician:

American Medical Association

RESTORING  BALANCE  IN YOUR LIFE  An AMA Patient Guide to Understanding and Treating DEPRESSION

Page24

"Practical Tips for Managing Depression."

#12

"Start writing in a journal. Some people find that writing about problems and issues can be very helpful." 

I suspect that a majority of journal keepers would agree with this mild statement. After all, what's to quarrel with? The conversation becomes much more interesting for me when tackling, 'why does keeping a journal have that effect?' And, 'What kind of writing will most likely bring about that effect quickly?'

Barry