Docyard | Rock 'n' roll to mental recovery

Ancient alternative therapies of healing like Ayurveda and yoga promote the use of music and dance movements to heal mental illness. In India, classical music is associated with spirituality and is designed to help a person connect with their inner self and explore their feelings and emotions. Indian classical music have different raga’s which stimulate certain parts of our brain, which in-turn have a therapeutic effect on the individual. Certain ragas have anxiolytic and sedative properties which help to improve a person’s quality of sleep and treat insomnia.

Different schools of psychology — Behavioural and Humanistic Schools — have endorsed the use of music as a means of therapy. They have categorised two forms of therapy — active and receptive. In active therapy, the person is encouraged to play an instrument as a part of therapy, while the receptive therapy involves a client listening to certain types of music as a part of the therapeutic process. Each has their distinctive roles to play in promoting healing and well-being.

According to a publication in the Nordic Journal of Music and Journals of Nursing, music can help improve mental health by reducing certain symptoms of depression and by making people feel more in control. It can reduce stress, help us get better sleep and improve our mood.

Certain mood elevating neurochemicals like dopamine are increased in our brain when we listen to pleasant music. It helps to create a sense of happiness and emotional well-being. Research have suggested that listening to music can reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, trauma and stress in individuals. It can also reduce a person’s blood pressure levels, increase alertness and memory.

Impact of MUSIC THERAPY

As therapists we do know that apart from the possible changes in neurochemistry, there are other visible positive changes one can look for in a person suffering from a mental disorder when music and dance therapy is included. A few of them are:

• An effective tool used to help people destress and prevent psychological and physical illness.
• Music as a means for unleashing emotions. A powerful form of expressing self.
• Playing musical instruments together is a good way of connecting with people and easing issues of social alienation and withdrawal. It can also help make long term friendships.
• Once people enjoy making music, it can work as a natural motivational tool helping people to feel self motivated and in control.
• Music brings joy and meaning to life. For people who are deeply depressed often struggle with finding meaning to enjoy life, music can easily fill that void.
• Music is helpful for people with autism and with dementia.

Impact of MOVEMENT THERAPY

Brain imaging studies has shown that music triggers the cerebellum and motor area of the brain. These areas of our brain respond with motor movement in response to music.

According to the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA), dance therapy is ‘psychotherapeutic use of movement to promote emotional, social, cognitive, and physical integration of the individual, for the purpose of improving health and well-being.’ Multiple studies have shown marked improvement in people suffering from anxiety disorders, depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD) after dance movement therapy .

Studies have suggested a correlation between motion and emotion. A simple change in posture impacts our mood. When we walk, run, exercise in a gym or play a physical sport, endorphins are released in the brain which help us feel relaxed, happy, more energetic and resilient to emotional life stressors.

The Writer is Dr Vihan Sanyal  Psychotherapist & founder of mental health and well-being centre at Mind Factory