Screaming is an innate behavior to humans. You come into this world wailing, your voice shaping the world and sharing your shock, fear or excitement at being born. As you reach late childhood, screaming becomes no less important. You scream when you laugh, because you’re just a child. How could you know to reel in your joy?
But by the time you reach your late teens, screams are almost never for fun. By then, you’ve learned to reign in your bubbling emotions, and by adulthood, if you haven’t locked your loudest emotions in irons, you’re an embarrassment.
What makes this so interesting is the fact that in the past psychologists had people—grown people—scream to help break free from early childhood trauma. This form of therapy, primal scream therapy, was popularized by American psychologist and psychotherapist Arthur Janov in the 1960s.
The central belief behind primal scream therapy is that psychological trauma is stored in the body and you can release it by screaming, crying, shouting, sobbing, etc. Generally, any verbal noise that helps release your pain is considered valid, but I find screaming works best.
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But trends change, and this primal release of residual trauma is seen as outdated nowadays. Most people opting to instead “scream” their praises for more modern therapy tactics.
I propose a slight comeback and alteration of scream therapy. When something is upsetting, say you’ve stubbed a toe, or an article is due soon and there’s a big, fat wall between any creative ideas and the paper, I propose the following: Go to a quiet, secluded spot (or a public one if you really want to) and simply scream.
It can be a quick, staccato burst or a long, drawn-out howl. But take the short, red-hot-rage-inducing situation and release it. Take that short lived bitterness and allow your voice to manifest it, then let it go. After, you may notice a marked difference in your mood.
I’ve been doing this exercise since I started college. I missed an assignment due date? Immediate howl. Popeyes closed early? I’m screaming like a girl in Midsommar. My mother doesn’t pick up the phone? Glass-shattering, heart-shriveling caterwaul. And it just so happens that I always feel better after.
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In the spirit of psychological experimentation, I ran a very small (and extremely amateurish) experiment. I had two volunteers release their short-lived agitation through verbal outbursts, and they had the following to report.
“[I feel] A little better!” said Michael Anderson, a political science freshman and fitness enthusiast, after his miniature release of fury over his aching muscles. “That was silly; I’m doing that again.”
The next participant, Kailen Cobbins, had the unique pleasure of screaming in public—in the Student Union.
“F**K TYLER!” she proudly proclaimed for the small crowd trying to eat a peaceful dinner. Cobbin’s face then split into a smile. “Yeah… I do feel better; that felt like a… lifting of pressure in my brain,” she said.
Cobbins and Anderson said that they’d repeat and reuse this technique for minor inconveniences.
So, while this niche version of primal scream therapy may not be everyone’s cup of tea, and is definitely a dumbed down version of its predecessor, it just might be the solution that your college brain is looking for.
Garrett McEntee is an 18-year-old English freshman from Benton.
