Music: Mental Disorders

The next topic I would like to discuss is the healing power that music can have to help heal people whom have various types of mental disorders. Mental Health diagnoses would include illnesses such as schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, eating disorders, and substance abuse to name a few. The best type of therapy for these disorders is Music therapy; it has a long history with mental health to prove how effective it really is.

The aim of therapy is to help people with mental illness; Music Therapy is used to help these people have courage and confidence when it comes to things such as developing relationships and to address issues they may not be able to using words alone. 

There is strong evidence that proves that theMusic helps with the following functions:

• Mental state
• General functioning
• Social functioning

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SPECIFIC OUTCOMES:

• Reduced muscle tension Improved self-image/Increased self-esteem
• Decreased anxiety/agitation Increased verbalization
• Enhanced interpersonal relationships Improved group cohesiveness
• Increased motivation Successful and safe emotional release

Music can be linked so to a person's mood and how they feel at the present time; A certain song can make us feel happy, sad, energetic, or relaxed. Knowing that music can have that much of an impact on a person’s mindset and well-being, obviously it will not come as no surprise that music therapy has been studied for use in managing numerous medical conditions. 

               So, how and why is music this powerful you may be wondering?

Music Takes Place in Reality: 
Music is a temporal event; once the last note fades, it is over and gone. For those suffering psychotic symptoms that involve an inability to orient to time, place, event or person

• Music provides an opportunity to become oriented.
• In listening to and participating in music and music making, a person cannot be disoriented and successful or aware.

Music is a Language:
We All Know: For those with mental illness, the ability to express themselves is often limited. It could be because they are not ready to discuss a topic, are unable to due to impairments, or any other number of reasons that are determinant by the client. 

• Music, being a language that we all understand provides a non threatening avenue for them to explore those feelings. 
• Clients in a group setting can explore and share through improvisation. Those dealing with anger may beat a drum as hard as they can.
•  Traumatic events may be reenacted (safely) through music when words aren't ready to be used. 
• The possibilities for music to be used in this capacity is endless, and will change based on the client’s experience as well as the therapist’s experience and expertise.

Music is a Social Activity:

• Music is something we all understand
• It gives people a chance to express themselves; even if they are not able to do so with just plain words.

Music Gives Us Something to Talk About:

• Utilizing a tool like lyric analysis gives the group the opportunity to have something concrete to discuss. 
• It lays out the boundaries of the discussion and provides an excellent resource to help mediate, guide, and encourage conversation. 
• Many people don’t want to sit and discuss their feelings with a stranger.
• By providing the framework of music, often most people will find themselves comfortable discussing their own situations in relation to the song.

I would like to post a link to give you a better understanding of Mental Health and Music. Kati Morton discusses what Cognitive Behavioral therapy is: