Introduction
Music is a progressive culture that has over the years become a drive for many regarding relaxation, profession, entertainment, and therapy. This has seen the industry thrive to be something people cannot do without. This culture is not biased as its numerous genres and sub-genres have been designed to fit the preferences of many, including the sick. In relation to health, music may be used as a recovery mechanism especially in mental health. Mentally ill patients tend to find a way to communicate their feelings in different forms, and specialists discovered that most respond well to music, depending on their preferences. Music is known to influence behavior, thoughts, and feelings, hence important in psychological wellness. As such, this paper sets to elaborate more on the power of music in mental health.
Mental health is the level of psychological well-being regarding the emotional and behavioral response. Patients reported having mental illness tend to have been diagnosed with disorders that affect their cognition, emotions, attitudes, and brain activity (Solli, Rolvsjord, & Borg, 2013). This may be caused by factors such as anxiety, depression, stress, loneliness, addiction, and grief. As a result, these people tend to be dangerous around themselves and others, going as far as being suicidal. In this regard, music was adapted as a therapeutic mechanism aimed at creating a form of social change that is conducive to the positive progression of the patient (Solli, Rolvsjord, & Borg, 2013). The resultant effects include improved cognitive performance, reduced stress, improved memory, improved pain management, improved sleep patterns, improved emotional stability and self-esteem, and improved endurance and performance.
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Patients diagnosed with severe cases of mental illness such as Schizophrenia showed extreme difficulty in expressing themselves and emulated rejection in social relations. When exposed to music they feel comfortable in, they can use music to express how they feel, creating a form of communication between them and their therapists (MacDonald, Kreutz, & Mitchell, 2013). For many, the medium has been able to provide the needed medium that promotes connection with the overall result being lucidity as well as recovery for others. The power of music is not limited the common casual listening or playing but is also used in therapy. It has been documented in a wide range of studies whereby it has been applied to patients with depression and anxiety disorders among others (MacDonald, Kreutz, & Mitchell, 2013). Various mental health institutions have implemented the use of music therapy as part of the multidiscipline strategy used to providing care. The implementation of music therapy has been regarded as a long-term strategy that can be used by both in and outpatients (MacDonald, Kreutz, & Mitchell, 2013). Though it should be noted that different patients have different takes on the use of music as a therapy means.
From a medical perspective, music is used as a focal point for patients; some therapists use it to initiate the creative nature of some of the patients where others use it as means of helping patients engage with the therapist (Solli, Rolvsjord, & Borg, 2013). Other uses include the lyrical analysis whereby the therapist analyses the wordings of the song about the situation of the patient in a bid to identify correlation. The latter technique is usually used in situations whereby themes used in the track correlate with the patient’s current situation. The world has become more hostile with various people experiencing PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) as well as others due to the experience (Solli, Rolvsjord, & Borg, 2013). An article published in the journal Psychomusicology, specific music genres were identified as being instrumental as therapeutic tools that could be used to reduce not only symptoms but also improve performance on the side of the patient (Solli, Rolvsjord, & Borg, 2013).
One aspect of music in mental health that has been rarely used is the use of music to improve on active hearing. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is regarded as one of the highest rising cases of mental health affecting children in the United States of America. Music was noted to provide a relaxed and calm environment; this was due to its rhythmic and repetitive characteristics. Music has been known to activate the neocortex section of the brain. This part of the brain is responsible for sight and hearing being deemed as the most important part of the brain. Nevertheless, this section of the brain once activated induces a mood that matches the music. This is the main evidence that music has the capability of changing the character of the patients. In a previous statement, the lyrical analysis was mentioned, and this is demonstrated by the manner by which therapists use music to make patients create lyrics. The emotional state of the lyrics is then used to determine the problem or state of the patient's mind.
Conclusion
Different people relate differently to music, and this brings about a serious complication especially for therapists who have to identify what can be used on the patient to achieve positive results. The field of music and its application in the therapeutic community may seem fruitful. However, it is still in need of continuous research and modifications. A better understanding of music and its evolution progress is needed as the use of music in therapy is still limited. Moreover, the equipment is not only targeted to mental health patients who are still in denial. In general, music has been noted to positively affect the brain emitting and releasing hormones that are related to the reward section of the brain.
References
MacDonald, R., Kreutz, G., & Mitchell, L. (Eds.). (2013). Music, health, and wellbeing . Oxford University Press.
Solli, H. P., Rolvsjord, R., & Borg, M. (2013). Toward understanding music therapy as a recovery-oriented practice within mental health care: A meta-synthesis of service users' experiences. Journal of Music Therapy , 50 (4), 244-273.
