Reading Novels as a Method to Treat Depression The Case of University Students of English at ElBashir ElIbrahimi Library, Laghouat

Abstract

The current study seeks to consider the effectiveness as well as usefulness of reading novels to treat psychological problems that many people can suffer from. The Psychoneurotic reaction that was studied in the present research was depression, which has wide spread effects on both genders, from all the age groups. Additionally, depression is one of chronic illnesses that the diseased person could never get rid of easily and often occurs suddenly; so an attempt to reduce its impacts on the persons‟ daily life becomes a need. Therefore, this study hypothesizes that some pages from a certain novel could be the only companion when the depression gets so hard; reading novels would be a useful method to help the depressed patients get out of their dark hole if the novels were well selected. To this end, a descriptive method through the use of a questionnaire as measuring tool was conducted. A sample 23 students of English at Laghouat University was selected, for their habit of reading, since they used to go to the ElBashir ElIbrahimi Library frequently. Findings showed that reading novels can be an operative way to treat depression, and a means which takes patients to new and different places and worlds, and allows them experience different adventures and meet new characters that may cheer them up and change their expectations of future plans