Music influences people every day in different spaces and complex forms. From elevator music cutting awkward silences to family traffic jams. Music enhances the moments between people who love each other and helps them get through difficult times. Music has been used for generations in various forms of therapy around the world. This article further elaborates on how it is applied in several types of mental health conditions.
What is Music Therapy?
Music therapy aims to improve and prolong brain function and well-being. Patients with conditions like Parkinson’s or post-traumatic stress disorder may be undergoing drug therapy; fortunately, this form of treatment does not interfere with drug therapy. Depending on the patient’s response and what they hope to gain from this form of therapy, there are multiple forms of music therapy participation. This could be creating music in groups or with instruments, or simply listening to music. Like cognitive behavioral therapy, music therapy focuses on various levels of a variety of things. It can help patients address triggers and responses to post-traumatic stress disorder. It can enhance their communication skills, build confidence, or control their anxiety.
Origin Story
Music has been a tool in society for generations, with instruments existing 40,000 years ago. There is a contest about its origin, but most studies suggest it can be traced back to ancient Greece. It began to be widely used in therapy after World War II. Over the next twenty years, universities began offering research programs that provided enough evidence to validate and accept this approach as a reliable form of treatment.
Who is Eligible for Music Therapy?
You do not need to have received music training such as singing or playing guitar to participate in music therapy. When trying out instruments in therapy, we highly encourage improvisation. This allows patients to respond to their current emotions. The spectrum of tones and rhythms has a unique impact on the patients’ brains. Those with social anxiety or communication difficulties will be glad to know that this form of therapy does not require verbal communication. It is about creating a means of self-expression through fun and positive experiences.
Where Can You Receive Treatment?
You can listen to music without a doctor’s referral. The process is about finding a practice convenient for you. This can take place in private institutions, community spaces, educational facilities like schools, and more. Because music creation and listening are not limited to a single physical location, all patients can use it. Music therapy is a form of treatment that has existed for generations and has had a significant positive impact on the mind in such a holistic way. Even if you are not a singer in a band, occasionally picking up a drum can help your mental health in the long run.
