Posted: August 31st, 2022

Does music therapy help in the treatment of epression/anxiety?

Does music therapy help in the treatment of depression/anxiety?
Depression is a common disorder affecting many people all over the world. In the United States, the illness affects more than 40 million adults each year. Depression impacts mood resulting in loss of interest and pleasure. Although depression and anxiety are different conditions, they often coexist. More than half of the people who suffer from depression also have anxiety.
Music therapy has, for a long time, been used to heal the body and soul and help people express feelings and desires. Music is also believed to have therapeutic power. The ancient Greeks used music to help calm down the manic and people with mental disorders. During the second world war, music was used on soldiers who had post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), helping them recover from physical and emotional trauma. Regular meetings with a qualified music therapist allows you to express your feelings and emotions, improving your mood and well-being.
According to the American Music Therapy Association, music impacts depressed individuals in different ways. According to studies, music therapy gives a depressed individual a safe space where they can release their feelings and emotions. This, in turn, helps to reduce tension on the muscles, Increasing self-esteem, lowering anxiety, promote interpersonal relationships, and Increasing energy and motivation levels.
How Exactly Does Music Therapy Work?
During music therapy sessions, a therapist employs different techniques to awaken the physical, emotional, and social needs of the patient. There are two types of music therapy; active and passive music therapy.
• Active therapy is where the patient is directly involved in making music either through singing or by playing instruments. Through active therapy, a patient expresses their feelings and thoughts through the compositions. It encourages a person to identify and gain a more in-depth insight into their problems.
• Passive music therapy is all about listening to live or recorded music while doing some reflective activities such as meditation or drawing. The therapist will then engage the patient in discussing emotions, feelings, or memories aroused by the music.
Creating and listening to music with the help of a music therapist allows a person to express their innermost feelings in a unique way that is difficult to articulate using words. The melody and rhythm invoke a certain calmness and peace in person, relaxing the muscles and slowing down the breathing and heart rate. A therapist selects the music that best addresses the needs of the patient. Sometimes a combination of music can be used.