Depression is a very common mood condition that is distinguished by a persistently negative attitude, waning interest, and lack of enjoyment. Using music therapy to control mood and emotions may be beneficial. An estimated 3.8% of people in the population suffer from depression, including 5.7% of people over 60 and 5% of adults (4% of males and 6% of women). Around 280 million individuals worldwide suffer from depression. Women are around 50% more likely than men to experience depression.
Pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy, either separately or in combination, are the basic and standard therapies for depression. It also covers other therapies such as Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), Psychodynamic Therapy, Atypical Antidepressants, Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Psychodynamic Therapy.
But throughout the years, it has been discovered that music therapy is equally effective for treating depression. Due to its tendency to exacerbate the incapacitating symptoms of depression, music therapy is receiving more and more attention. By controlling the emotive power of melodies, rhythms, and harmonies, music therapy provides people with a peaceful and comforting way to healing.
How Music Therapy Differs From Listening to Music
People who participate in music therapy can address their inner problems and worries in a soothing, safe environment. In reality, a lot of people who receive music therapy are musically incompetent to begin with. Through the sensation of accomplishment that comes from completing a new activity or mastering a new ability, patients gain control over their challenges. They feel more capable of making constructive changes as a result of regaining a sense of control over their lives. Therefore, everyone who is experiencing depression can benefit from using music therapy.
Receptive music therapy and active music treatment are the two different kinds of music therapy that are employed. The patient in receptive music therapy listens to live or recorded music that their therapist chooses or suggests for them to best meet their requirements. Additionally proven to be successful at reducing anxiety in patients undergoing surgery is receptive music therapy. Patients take involved in the making of music during active music therapy. Usually, this is accomplished by having the patient take singing or music lessons.
The Science of Sound and Emotion:
The relationship between music and emotions is not merely a coincidence; it has a strong neurological foundation. A complex interplay of brain regions involved in processing emotions, memory, and reward is triggered when we listen to music. The release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, which are essential for controlling mood and well-being, is frequently accompanied by this phenomenon. Researchers have found that specific musical genres can stimulate these brain circuits in a good way, improving mental wellness.
How Can You Benefit By Listening to Music?
– Listen to music for 1 hour daily: Produces feelings of empowerment while decreasing depression, discomfort, and disability from back, neck, and joint pain.
– Get Creative: Listen to what others listen to. New music selections force the brain to struggle to understand the new sound. It tests the brain in a way that familiar music doesn’t.
– Total Recall: At the same time, listening to music from the period that you are trying to remember helps you remember better.
– Pay Attention: Your body’s reactions to different forms of music. What helps one person relax may make another person anxious, and what helps one person concentrate might be distracting to someone else.
How Music Therapy Works:
Music is purposefully used in music therapy to address social, cognitive, and emotional needs. Certified music therapists closely collaborate with depressed patients to customize therapeutic activities in accordance with their preferences, emotional states, and therapeutic objectives.
Summary
In conclusion, music therapy offers a promising and holistic approach to addressing depression. Through its unique ability to engage emotions, stimulate cognitive processes, and facilitate self-expression, music therapy can serve as a valuable adjunctive treatment for individuals struggling with depression. The therapeutic use of music, whether through active participation or passive listening, has been shown to have positive effects on mood regulation, stress reduction, and overall well-being. However, it’s important to note that music therapy is not a standalone solution for severe depression. It should be integrated into a comprehensive treatment plan that includes professional medical and psychological interventions when necessary.
