The National Institute of Health reports that studies show treating depression with music therapy provides beneficial effects. When music therapy is coupled with regular treatment, symptoms of depression often show improvement. It can decrease anxiety levels, as well as improve a person’s ability to function at work, in daily activities, and in relationships with others.
Depression Is a Debilitating Mental Illness
Depression is a mood disorder that lowers the quality of life of those contending with it. The World Health Organization reports that approximately 322 million people in the world deal with clinical depression. It can impact all parts of a person’s well-being, including their emotional and physical health. Often people with depression withdraw from their social lives and personal relationships, and find the day-to-day responsibilities of life too cumbersome to perform. Without treatment, inpatient care may become necessary.
How Music Therapy Works
A specialized music therapist oversees music therapy for clients suffering from depression. Receptive music therapy is passive, and involves listening to music. Active music therapy consists of singing or playing music. A certified music therapist is typically already an experienced musician or singer who combines their love and understanding of music with a desire to help use it to improve the lives of their clients.
Who Else Benefits from Music Therapy?
In addition to treating depression with music therapy, studies show that patients diagnosed with dementia experience improved cognitive abilities and elevated positive emotions when they listen to or sing music with which they are familiar. Even patients with chronic pain show improvement from this type of therapy.
Most people enjoy recorded or live music but don’t know that treating depression with music therapy is possible. Many mood disorders and other mental health conditions respond positively to programs involving the creative arts, such as music and art therapy. When a person spends so much time in their own heads, the beauty of music can distract and console them, resulting in a better mood and more positivity about their future. Alta Loma understands how to design a treatment program unique to each individual that encompasses traditional therapy while also adding in creative therapy, life skills, culinary arts, recreational therapy, community integration, and other approaches specific to your needs. Call our Austin area, men-only treatment center to find out how we can help you cope with your depression and any co-occurring mental illness or addiction issues. Get started with recovery today at Alta Loma. Call us at (866) 457-3843.
