Pen to paper: daily writing may soothe anxiety and depression
NCT ID NCT06130020
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested whether writing about your deepest thoughts and feelings for 15 minutes a day over two weeks can help reduce anxiety and depression in young adults. Participants were split into three groups: writing to themselves, writing to a loved one, or writing a factual daily routine. The goal was to see which approach works best. Results could help develop a simple, free mental health tool.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
expressive writing exercises
What this could lead to
If it works, this could point toward a simple, free way to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms using daily writing.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-stage study with 160 people, and past research on expressive writing has mixed results. The effect may be small or not last long.
Disclaimer
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Peretsman Scully Hall
Princeton, New Jersey, 08540, United States