How Music Helps With Depression
Almost everyone loves music. There are even some people who cannot stay productive all day at work or school without some background music to listen to. This is because music changes our mood and even motivate us. But did you know what music can also relieve depression? There are studies that show that music therapy that combines talk therapy with music can make wonders like alleviating depression in several ways. Click over here for more ways to alleviate stress or even boredom.
As mentioned earlier, there are many ways music can help a person in depression, Playing an instrument, for example, lets depressed people to express themselves non verbally and let their emotions and worries away through playing a specific instrument.
Music therapy comes in two types: active and receptive and no musical background is required to both therapies. To compare the two types, active music therapy is when the therapist and the patient improvise, recreate, or compose music using a drum, mallet instrument or just the voice. The goal is for the patient to share thoughts and feelings that arise with the music making and, as a result, develop insight into his or her problems. In receptive music therapy, patients listen to music while meditating, drawing or reminiscing. This process allows patients to improve their mood and develop coping and relaxation skills. The therapist selects instruments and music based on each patient’s individual preferences and needs. The duration and frequency of music therapy sessions vary, but they typically last 20 minutes to one hour. Patients may undergo sessions daily, weekly or monthly. Sessions can take place in a group or individually in a hospital, therapist’s office or patient’s home.
If you are wondering how or where to find a music therapist, they work in various settings such as outpatient clinics, community mental health centers, psychiatric treatment centers, substance abuse programs, rehabilitation facilities, medical centers, group homes, senior centers, hospices, and schools. The service that they will give, depends, of course on the type of your concern. There are some music therapist that specialize in working with mental concerns.
If you know someone who is struggling with depression and you want to help him/her, then you can lay down various options such as music therapy.