Words as Medicine: The Role of Language in Healing
Language has always been a fascinating topic that I've wanted to explore in several ways. According to Ethnologue, a comprehensive reference of all known languages, there are 7,168 languages. Many are second languages, and nearly half are endangered. Still, some hypothetical languages that have yet to be discovered are spoken in remote areas around the globe. In an intricate dance of social interaction, words hold a power beyond communication. From a young age, I chose my words carefully; words can hurt. As I grew older, I realized there's another side to the equation. Although words can serve as silent saboteurs, they can also shift the narrative from hurting to healing.
The Weight of Negative Language
At some point in life, most of us realize the importance of being mindful of our words. For many, this moment only occurs after realizing that our words hurt someone. For others, it may result from careful observation of others' interactions. In any case, we learn that in the symphony of social interaction, words are powerful instruments that can shape the rhythm of our thoughts, emotions, and well-being. There are a few directions we can take here. It would be insightful to examine the psychological response to negative language, the physical response, such as chronic stress, and the lingering echo it can leave in our minds throughout our lives.
Let's consider the scenario of persistent negative self-talk. Unsurprisingly, repeating self-deprecating language can reinforce feelings of inadequacy and fuel a vicious cycle of negative thought patterns. Over time, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, shaping our behavior, thought patterns, and overall well-being. Many students may find themselves in this seemingly never-ending cycle of feeling they aren't trying hard enough or aren't good enough. Here, language becomes incredibly important. We should aim to be mindful of the words we use in our social interactions and pay attention to our internal dialogue. The words we encounter throughout the day, whether directed inwardly or outwardly, mold the neural pathways that govern our perceptions of self and others.
Negative language's impact isn't confined to the mind; it reverberates throughout the body, inducing a stress response. A study conducted by Linz et. al, investigated the link between psychological experience of subjective stress, thought content, and affect in predicting activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis by evaluating diurnal cortisol levels1. Their reported findings include an association between negative thought content with higher cortisol levels1. Looking at the alchemy of negative language, it becomes apparent that the transformative power of our words extends far beyond mere surface communication. Recognizing this allows us to make conscious linguistic choices inwardly and outwardly, fostering empathy, support, and growth. The journey towards a healthier linguistic landscape begins with the understanding that negative and positive words hold the power to shape the narratives of our lives and set the tone of the stories we leave behind.
Islam and Language
From the Quran and various Hadith, there are many instances in which Islam guides us on our language usage. There are many verses here that may seem basic - speak kindly (2:83), speak truthfully (3:17), speak justly (6:152), speak no lie (22:30), speak gently (20:44), and speak not in vain (23:3), but I wonder just how much, or rather, how well we abide by this guidance.
The age-old adage we've all heard goes "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." A couple of years ago, I found myself smiling when I read the following Hadith: "Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak goodness or remain silent2." This is something that we can all improve upon, a simple act of worship rooted in mercy towards one another. I think it's important to note that this wisdom is not limited to in-person interactions but should also guide our interactions online in this era of social media. May we all benefit from this simple teaching, one that we all know, but can continue improving upon.
The Healing Nature of Language
Many years ago, after finishing "The Anatomy of Hope" by Dr. Jerome Goodman, I began thinking about language's role in healing. The book itself deserves a detailed post on its own, but it introduced me to the role of hope in medicine. The first question I asked myself was, How is hope felt? How is it transmitted from person to person? Language plays an incredible role here. The lexicon of medicine can soothe fears, instill hope, and facilitate empowerment. It wasn't until a couple of years later, when I began working in a more active role with patient care, that I witnessed the impact of my own words.
It comes as no surprise that empathy is at the heart of healing language. Language's healing potential lies in healthcare providers' ability to positively influence a patient's perception of their condition. I found this prescription of hope and optimism within the pages of Dr. Goodman's writing, and it becomes a powerful adjunct to medical treatment.
We talk about wanting to be holistic providers, starting with our language. Beyond symptoms, patients present with narratives and personal stories that are important in the healing process. To provide holistic, individualized care for each patient, it is imperative to acknowledge and embrace their narratives. Storytelling serves a cathartic purpose; even expressing one's experiences becomes a therapeutic release. Through this expression, we confront and process our emotions, fears, and uncertainties, creating a sense of emotional relief. Here, as providers, we must embrace and raise these narratives.
Unraveling the delicate balance between storytelling as a therapeutic tool and the importance of embracing these narratives, it becomes evident that healthcare extends beyond clinical presentations to something deeply personal. Indeed, language plays such a profound role in our lives. In the symphony of healthcare, every word we use becomes a note, and we hear a melody in every story. Together, they orchestrate the healing journey toward our well-being.A.M.
References:
- Linz, R., Singer, T. & Engert, V. Interactions of momentary thought content and subjective stress predict cortisol fluctuations in a daily life experience sampling study. Sci Rep 8, 15462 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-33708-0
- Sahih al-Bukhari 6136