How often do we swallow our words, silence our anger, minimize our needs, or hold it all together because that’s what women are taught to do? We carry the pressure of being the caregivers, the peacekeepers, the professionals, the partners, and the ones who make everything work. But what happens to all the feelings we push down along the way?
Sometimes, we need more than words. We need an opportunity to express what we’ve been holding inside and allow ourselves to be heard. A primal scream can be a powerful, embodied act of giving ourselves permission to take up space, express our emotions, and reconnect with a voice we may have learned to quiet.
While research does not establish primal screaming as a proven treatment for trauma or mental health conditions, studies on other vocal practices offer some interesting findings. A small randomized study published in the Journal of Religion and Health in 2024 found that both vocal and silent group chanting reduced cortisol levels and self-reported anxiety, with vocal chanting producing a greater reduction in anxiety. Research on group singing has also suggested benefits for mood and social connection.
Of course, chanting, singing, and screaming are different experiences, and we can’t assume they produce the same effects. In fact, research on anger management suggests that screaming to vent anger isn’t necessarily an effective way to reduce it. But expressing ourselves, feeling heard, and connecting with others can still be meaningful experiences.
What we’ve learned from our last two primal scream events is that participants report feeling lighter, energized, and emotionally relieved after screaming together. While we can’t say exactly what produces those feelings, the opportunity for emotional expression, shared experience, and connection with other women may all play a role.
And perhaps that’s part of what makes these experiences so powerful. For a few moments, women can let go of the expectation to be composed, agreeable, or quiet. They can show up exactly as they are, surrounded by others doing the same.
This weekend, at the Old Town Alexandria Women’s Crawl: Empower Your Health, on Saturday, October 24, we’re creating space to do exactly that. Come as you are, bring whatever you’ve been holding, and join other women in a collective scream that says:
I am here. I have a voice. I deserve to be heard.
You don’t have to be angry, have a story to tell, or even feel comfortable screaming at first. You can participate in whatever way feels right for you. There is something powerful about standing beside other women, letting go of the pressure to be polished or composed, and discovering that you don’t have to carry everything alone.
This isn’t just about making noise. It’s about reclaiming our voices, celebrating our power, and building connections through a shared experience.
Sometimes, empowerment begins when we stop asking ourselves to be quiet.
Come scream with us this weekend. Your voice carries power. And when our voices rise together, we create the possibility for connection, understanding, and change.
Follow www.delraypsych.com for upcoming events.
