Musical Therapy: Music's Effect On Depression

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Depression is one of the most common mental disorders that is known to our generation and our world today. So how to fix it? Just "fixing" is not a real solution nor the right thing to say; however the way to tackle depression needs to change. Doctors and therapists tend to lean on the pharmaceutical industry more, constant talking therapy. But how often does that actually help the patient? Do they see any real progress? Musical therapy is when trained therapists have studied about how music affects mood, and how the music can help patients connect to their inner feelings. It is a common myth that musical therapy does not work; it is simply just a stupid way to go through therapy. Some individuals have tried to say that musical therapy is …show more content…
It helps patients to reflect on past, current, and even possible future situations. According to a study done that analyzed how music therapy affected depression, "the putative mechanism of action of receptive music therapy is that different types of musical stimulus directly induce physical and emotional changes." Existing/ centered music therapy or extremely music based therapy is sometimes seen as too limiting or too extreme to some patients, because it stresses the autonomy of music as a separate entity from the psychological perspective. However, music in musical therapy is not used to become a product which will end itself. Meaning, it isn't meant to be produced, released, published, broadcasted, or made truly public for the purpose of …show more content…
The fundamentals of music look to address the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of patients when undergoing therapy. After properly assessing the patient, a musical therapist then puts the patient through a treatment. This treatment includes creating music, singing, moving around and/or dancing, and even listening to music. Other methods therapists may use is improvisation. They tell the patient to improvise to music that already exists, or even improvise on their own. This can help the patient because it gets them to think, and even portray emotions inside of them. It enables the patient to respond, maybe even make changes and see relationships. Musical therapists look to fulfill specific aims, based on the needs of their patients. They wish for their patients to make music that expresses, and helps them to reminisce on the good and appreciate music. Since the purpose of this music is not to be made public, there is no heavy concern for how it sounds, whether all the right notes are played, or if anything technical goes wrong. This form of therapy is for the sole release of emotions by the patient, and to help them regain