Types and benefits for anxiety, depression, and more

Music therapy involves using a person’s responses and connections to music to encourage positive changes in mood and overall well-being. Music therapy can include creating music with instruments of all types, singing, moving to music, or just listening to it.

Music has powerful effects on the mind. Different styles of music can have a significant effect on a person’s mood very quickly, and it can help them experience and process a wide range of emotions, from happiness to excitement, as well as sadness, calmness, and thoughtfulness.

Making music can also be as beneficial as listening to music, and music therapy encourages people to actively create the music they find helpful to them.

This article explains what music therapy is, how it can help improve mental health, and its effects on different mental health conditions.

Music therapy uses the powerful abilities of music to improve a person’s well-being. It is an alternative to other types of therapy, such as counseling or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Music therapists use a person’s responses and connections to music to encourage positive changes in mood and overall mental mindset. Music therapy can include listening to music or creating music with instruments of all types. It may also involve singing or moving to music.

It can help improve confidence, communication skills, independence, self-awareness and awareness of others, and concentration and attention skills.

Live musical interaction between a person and their therapist is important during music therapy.

Improvisation can also be a key part of music therapy. This involves making music up on the spot in response to a mood or a theme, such as making the sound of a storm using drums and a rainstick.

The way that music affects the brain is very complex. All aspects of music — including pitch, tempo, and melody — are processed by different areas of the brain.

For instance, the cerebellum processes rhythm, the frontal lobes decode the emotional signals created by the music, and a small portion of the right temporal lobe helps understand pitch.

The reward center of the brain, called the nucleus accumbens, can even produce strong physical signs of pleasure, such as goosebumps, when it hears powerful music.

Music therapy can use these deep physical reactions the body has to music to help people with mental health conditions.

Music has been a part of human life for thousands of years. Specifically, experts have found instruments dating back to over 40,000 years ago, suggesting that humans’ desire to express themselves or communicate through music is deep rooted.

The use of music for therapy and healing dates back to Ancient Greece, but its therapeutic use today began in the 20th century, after World War II had ended. The earliest reference to music therapy comes from a 1789 article called “Music physically considered. ”

The 1800s saw medical research into the therapeutic nature of music grow, and by the 1940s, universities were offering music therapy programs. E. Thayer Gaston, one of three men who pioneered the use of music as a therapeutic tool, had organized and promoted the practice so that it would become an accepted type of therapy.

Now, there are many music therapy associations around the world, and music therapists work in private care, education, and social care.

Music therapy does not rely on verbal communication, so it can be better for people who struggle to communicate verbally. This could be due to a disability, a neurodegenerative condition such as dementia, an acquired brain injury, or a mental health condition.

As CBT and counseling are both talking therapies, they may not be suitable for people who find verbal communication difficult. This is where music therapy can be beneficial.

Additionally, mental health practitioners can bring music therapy directly to a person, such as if they cannot get out of bed or are unable to get to a therapist’s office. Enjoying music therapy at home can also benefit children who want to be in a familiar environment during their sessions.

This is not specific to music therapy, though, as many other types of psychotherapy can take place in the home.

The skills a person learns in music therapy can be useful in their everyday life, too. They may even take up learning an instrument as a new hobby, which they can use as a tool for improving their mental health and coping with difficult situations throughout their life.

There are extra benefits to listening or creating music that talking therapies may not be able to offer.

For instance, learning and practicing a piece of music can improve memory skills, coordination, reading, comprehension, and math skills, and it can also give lessons in responsibility and perseverance.

People can also enjoy a great sense of achievement from creating a piece of music, which can help improve their mood and self-esteem.

Music therapy can also introduce people to many different cultures, as clients can explore any type and genre of music during therapy. Understanding the history behind a piece of music can help people connect with the music they are hearing or playing.

Although self-expression is a part of talking therapy, music therapy allows people to express themselves in a creative way, which can be a more enjoyable way of exploring difficult emotions.

Lyric analysis is another accessible way for people to explore and process difficult emotions, experiences, or memories through music.

For example, a person can find themes and meanings within lyrics and offer alternative lyrics that apply to their life and experiences, which can help them find the words that represent how they are feeling if they are finding it hard to express this themselves.

Some of the documented benefits of music therapy include:

• improved self-esteem
• decreased anxiety
• increased motivation
• successful and safe emotional release
• increased verbalization
• stronger connections with other people

Many studies suggest that music therapy can reduce feelings of anxiety, including in people with cancer, those undergoing surgery, and individuals going into intensive care units. Some studies also suggest that music can reduce blood pressure and the heartbeat, which can have a direct impact on how stressed a person feels.

There is also evidence to suggest that those undergoing music therapy experience reduced anxiety immediately after the session, which indicates that music therapy could be a convenient way to reduce symptoms quickly.

Music affects the amount of stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol, that the body releases, and reducing these hormones can help relieve symptoms of anxiety.

Studies suggest that music therapy can improve symptoms of depression, with those undergoing music therapy along with standard treatments for depression — such as talking therapy — improving more than people who only received standard therapy.

Listening to music can also release dopamine, which is a hormone that makes people feel good, and endorphins, which are hormones that can induce happy moods and relieve pain.

Although music therapy is not a cure for depression, it can offer short-term benefits by improving mood and encouraging connection and self-expression.

Some of the benefits of music therapy for children include:

• offering fun ways of expressing thoughts and feelings
• practicing social interaction and communication skills
• encouraging creative play
• improving concentration and coordination
• increasing self-awareness
• increasing awareness of other people, particularly in group music sessions
• building self-esteem and resilience
• building language and listening skills
• strengthening family relationships

Although music therapy is not a cure for any mental health condition, it can be an effective and enjoyable tool for reducing the symptoms of numerous conditions, including depression and anxiety.

Music therapy offers people a creative and accessible way of expressing their feelings and processing their experiences. People have used music for its powerful effects on mood and emotions for a long time.

Aside from helping with mental health conditions, music therapy also has numerous other benefits, such as providing a creative outlet, expanding knowledge and cultural awareness, and improving cognitive skills such as memory.

Read this article in Spanish.

Types and benefits for anxiety, depression, and more

Music therapy involves using a person’s responses and connections to music to encourage positive changes in mood and overall well-being. Music therapy can include creating music with instruments of all types, singing, moving to music, or just listening to it.

Music has powerful effects on the mind. Different styles of music can have a significant effect on a person’s mood very quickly, and it can help them experience and process a wide range of emotions, from happiness to excitement, as well as sadness, calmness, and thoughtfulness.

Making music can also be as beneficial as listening to music, and music therapy encourages people to actively create the music they find helpful to them.

This article explains what music therapy is, how it can help improve mental health, and its effects on different mental health conditions.

Music therapy uses the powerful abilities of music to improve a person’s well-being. It is an alternative to other types of therapy, such as counseling or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Music therapists use a person’s responses and connections to music to encourage positive changes in mood and overall mental mindset. Music therapy can include listening to music or creating music with instruments of all types. It may also involve singing or moving to music.

It can help improve confidence, communication skills, independence, self-awareness and awareness of others, and concentration and attention skills.

Live musical interaction between a person and their therapist is important during music therapy.

Improvisation can also be a key part of music therapy. This involves making music up on the spot in response to a mood or a theme, such as making the sound of a storm using drums and a rainstick.

The way that music affects the brain is very complex. All aspects of music — including pitch, tempo, and melody — are processed by different areas of the brain.

For instance, the cerebellum processes rhythm, the frontal lobes decode the emotional signals created by the music, and a small portion of the right temporal lobe helps understand pitch.

The reward center of the brain, called the nucleus accumbens, can even produce strong physical signs of pleasure, such as goosebumps, when it hears powerful music.

Music therapy can use these deep physical reactions the body has to music to help people with mental health conditions.

Music has been a part of human life for thousands of years. Specifically, experts have found instruments dating back to over 40,000 years ago, suggesting that humans’ desire to express themselves or communicate through music is deep rooted.

The use of music for therapy and healing dates back to Ancient Greece, but its therapeutic use today began in the 20th century, after World War II had ended. The earliest reference to music therapy comes from a 1789 article called “Music physically considered. ”

The 1800s saw medical research into the therapeutic nature of music grow, and by the 1940s, universities were offering music therapy programs. E. Thayer Gaston, one of three men who pioneered the use of music as a therapeutic tool, had organized and promoted the practice so that it would become an accepted type of therapy.

Now, there are many music therapy associations around the world, and music therapists work in private care, education, and social care.

Music therapy does not rely on verbal communication, so it can be better for people who struggle to communicate verbally. This could be due to a disability, a neurodegenerative condition such as dementia, an acquired brain injury, or a mental health condition.

As CBT and counseling are both talking therapies, they may not be suitable for people who find verbal communication difficult. This is where music therapy can be beneficial.

Additionally, mental health practitioners can bring music therapy directly to a person, such as if they cannot get out of bed or are unable to get to a therapist’s office. Enjoying music therapy at home can also benefit children who want to be in a familiar environment during their sessions.

This is not specific to music therapy, though, as many other types of psychotherapy can take place in the home.

The skills a person learns in music therapy can be useful in their everyday life, too. They may even take up learning an instrument as a new hobby, which they can use as a tool for improving their mental health and coping with difficult situations throughout their life.

There are extra benefits to listening or creating music that talking therapies may not be able to offer.

For instance, learning and practicing a piece of music can improve memory skills, coordination, reading, comprehension, and math skills, and it can also give lessons in responsibility and perseverance.

People can also enjoy a great sense of achievement from creating a piece of music, which can help improve their mood and self-esteem.

Music therapy can also introduce people to many different cultures, as clients can explore any type and genre of music during therapy. Understanding the history behind a piece of music can help people connect with the music they are hearing or playing.

Although self-expression is a part of talking therapy, music therapy allows people to express themselves in a creative way, which can be a more enjoyable way of exploring difficult emotions.

Lyric analysis is another accessible way for people to explore and process difficult emotions, experiences, or memories through music.

For example, a person can find themes and meanings within lyrics and offer alternative lyrics that apply to their life and experiences, which can help them find the words that represent how they are feeling if they are finding it hard to express this themselves.

Some of the documented benefits of music therapy include:

• improved self-esteem
• decreased anxiety
• increased motivation
• successful and safe emotional release
• increased verbalization
• stronger connections with other people

Many studies suggest that music therapy can reduce feelings of anxiety, including in people with cancer, those undergoing surgery, and individuals going into intensive care units. Some studies also suggest that music can reduce blood pressure and the heartbeat, which can have a direct impact on how stressed a person feels.

There is also evidence to suggest that those undergoing music therapy experience reduced anxiety immediately after the session, which indicates that music therapy could be a convenient way to reduce symptoms quickly.

Music affects the amount of stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol, that the body releases, and reducing these hormones can help relieve symptoms of anxiety.

Studies suggest that music therapy can improve symptoms of depression, with those undergoing music therapy along with standard treatments for depression — such as talking therapy — improving more than people who only received standard therapy.

Listening to music can also release dopamine, which is a hormone that makes people feel good, and endorphins, which are hormones that can induce happy moods and relieve pain.

Although music therapy is not a cure for depression, it can offer short-term benefits by improving mood and encouraging connection and self-expression.

Some of the benefits of music therapy for children include:

• offering fun ways of expressing thoughts and feelings
• practicing social interaction and communication skills
• encouraging creative play
• improving concentration and coordination
• increasing self-awareness
• increasing awareness of other people, particularly in group music sessions
• building self-esteem and resilience
• building language and listening skills
• strengthening family relationships

Although music therapy is not a cure for any mental health condition, it can be an effective and enjoyable tool for reducing the symptoms of numerous conditions, including depression and anxiety.

Music therapy offers people a creative and accessible way of expressing their feelings and processing their experiences. People have used music for its powerful effects on mood and emotions for a long time.

Aside from helping with mental health conditions, music therapy also has numerous other benefits, such as providing a creative outlet, expanding knowledge and cultural awareness, and improving cognitive skills such as memory.

Read this article in Spanish.

Scientists: Music therapy cures depression in children and adolescents

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07.11.2014 00:20

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Music can help children with autism

Ksenia Kolesnikova

Researchers at Queen’s University Belfast have confirmed in a new study that music therapy helps treat depression in children and adolescents. They proved the effectiveness of this method during a large experiment, which was conducted for three years with the participation of 250 children with behavioral and emotional problems.

The children were divided into two groups. The first was treated with standard means, and the second, in addition to drugs, regularly listened to music. The participants of the second group improved much faster. Among other things, in the “musical” group, children improved communication and interactive skills, as well as signs of depression disappeared and self-esteem increased. However, what is perhaps the most important? This is the conclusion of scientists: the results of treatment with the help of music remain for a long time.

– Music helps not only children with mental disorders, but also those who are diagnosed with autism and cerebral palsy, – Tamara Trait, teacher-defectologist at the Scientific and Practical Center for Children’s Psychoneurology in Moscow, comments on the study of British colleagues. According to her, sick children who attend music classes recover better, react to the world around them, communicate more actively with their peers.

– There are several positive aspects to therapy with melodies and sounds. Firstly, children in the course of the lesson are included in communication with peers and teachers: they sing and even dance together, their social activity increases. Secondly, they begin to feel the rhythm, tempo, sounds, thus experiencing sensory saturation through hearing, says Tamara Trait. – If the child is afraid of loud sounds or is depressed, then you can use the passive method of music therapy – invite him to listen to calm compositions or put the classics in the background during class.

Russian experts emphasize that sound therapy should be carried out only under the supervision of a specialist, taking into account the characteristics of each child.

– The experience of the first lessons turned out to be quite successful: not only children, but also parents were satisfied, – says Professor Tatyana Batysheva, Director of the Scientific and Practical Center for Child Psychoneurology. – We used both live music – piano, and listened to the melodies in the recording. The positive effect was in both cases.

Opinion

Sergey Shushardzhan, Doctor of Medicine, Professor:

– What British scientists have confirmed has been put into practice in Russia for a long time. There are special soothing algorithms that affect brain activity through hearing. The simplest scheme: if the therapist needs to calm the patient, it is better to use melodies at a slow pace, and if the child, for example, is not active enough, fast compositions are needed. Also, the mood that music creates is influenced by the tonality, rhythm, and frequencies at which the sound is played. A person’s physical condition also depends on the emotions of a person. To learn how to properly influence the patient with music, you need to study for several years.

Rossiyskaya gazeta – Federal issue: №254(6526)

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Health

How music helps with depression

After all, music can also be a medicine! Here’s why…

March 24th is World Depression Day. It is celebrated to pay special attention to mental health problems. Depression is a serious and common condition that requires medical treatment. At the same time, there are different ways to alleviate the condition or help yourself, and music is one of the most effective.

Music therapy (MT) is a separate broad topic, the development of which has been going on since ancient Greece. As the philosopher Porfiry wrote in The Life of Pythagoras, “[Pythagoras] healed mental and bodily suffering with rhythm, songs and incantations. He adapted this approach to his companions – and he himself heard harmony in everything, because he could realize the unity of the spheres and the harmony of the stars moving with them.
For everyone who is not as brilliant as Pythagoras, there are specialists – music therapists. Direct therapy divide into active, receptive and integrative. Active involves creating and performing music. Receptive – listening to it. And the integrative one connects the impact of music with other types of creativity.

Among the improvements reported by music therapy are the following:

• Decreased muscle tension;
• Increased self-esteem;
• Anxiety reduction;
• Improved personal relationships;
• Increased motivation;
• Safe release of emotions.

Study #1: Music + Traditional Therapy = Greater Effectiveness

The study, published in British Journal of Psychiatrist and cited in Mindbody7 , involved 79 people aged 18 to 50 with a diagnosis ed depression. 90,059 46 participants received traditional care, including therapy sessions, medications, and psychiatric counseling. The rest received the same treatment, but in addition, once every two weeks, active music therapy sessions were performed, in which music was created using a sonic hammer, acoustic drum and other percussion.
Summary: After three months of treatment, the music therapy group showed a significant improvement in depressive symptoms compared to the control group.
Researchers at the Cochrane Library, an international collection of databases on medicine and public health, came to the same conclusions. They analyzed first five , and then nine studies and confirmed that music therapy in combination with traditional therapy is effective for patients with depressive disorders.

Study #2: Music Therapy Reduces Depression in Children and Adolescents

Researchers at Bournemouth University found that children and adolescents 8 to 16 years of age who received music therapy in addition to talking therapy experienced significant improvements in self-esteem and social skills, while other symptoms of depression decreased.

Study #3: Music helps produce dopamine and oxytocin while lowering cortisol

This is the conclusion of the Global Council for Brain Health (GCBH). The results of their study published on the AARP website, an organization focused on the problems of people over the age of 50.
“There is moderate evidence for the ability of music therapy to influence cortisol levels to reduce stress,” says a report titled “Music on Our Minds: The Rich Potential of Music to Improve Brain Health and Mental Well-Being.” – There is less evidence that music therapy and singing promote the release of oxytocin, the feel-good hormone [note: still they are ]. Either way, music therapists and psychologists often recommend listening to music as an accepted, accessible, and non-invasive way to help people cope with stress and stress-related health issues.”

Among the recommendations mentioned by GCBH:

• Make music a part of your life – it improves its quality;
• Dance, sing or move to music;
• Enjoy listening to familiar music that soothes you and evokes positive memories. This stimulates the release of dopamine;
• Try listening to new music – unfamiliar tunes stimulate the brain, providing a new source of pleasure;
• Listen to music to motivate yourself to exercise;
• Don’t delay your hearing test if you notice problems;
• Compose music – it increases brain activity, giving a sense of self-respect;
• Try to compose music with other people by singing or playing an instrument. Or join a group – it gives a sense of cohesion and belonging.

Study #4: What kind of music to listen to when you are depressed

When you are depressed, sometimes you want to listen to sad music – in a peculiar way, to reach the bottom and quickly swim to the surface.
Sandra Garrido of the University of Western Sydney points out the following feature of depression: people lose motivation to change and stop thinking clearly. Their cognitive abilities are declining in several areas at once. Those who have a tendency to the clinical course of the disease react to music in different ways.
An experiment was conducted – several people were asked to independently choose two pieces of music: from which they are sad and which makes them happy. After studying the response, the researchers found that people who were particularly prone to rumination felt more depressed after listening to sad music.
Rumination, a frequent manifestation of depression, is a tendency to dwell on negative thoughts, get stuck and not be able to get rid of them. Apparently, listening to sad music only reinforces negative thinking. So if some people benefit from crying to Adele’s latest album, it will only hurt others.

In general, sad songs tended to make study participants feel worse. If for a healthy person this deviation is felt insignificantly, then people with depression only exacerbate the symptoms of the disease. But when listening to music that amuses and comforts, patients with depression showed a significant improvement in mood.
Studies show that music is more of an additional factor than a panacea in the treatment of depression.