Have any of you heard of a distressing experience following traumatic events that can vary from person to person? It is called post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Although its symptoms can negatively affect your life, there are several remedies for this disorder and music therapy is one of them.

Music therapy utilises various styles of music to help patients with their conditions, including anxiety, autism, and stress. As people with PTSD often have negative thoughts and stress about their conditions, they can benefit from music therapy. Various types of music therapy, like active music production and passive listening to music, will be given to patients according to their conditions.

Are you finding this interesting that might be helpful to you or people around you? Scroll down and read on for more information on music therapy and PTSD.

Introduction

Music therapy is a psychological clinical intervention carried out by music therapists aimed at improving people’s lives that have been impacted by injury, illness, or disability. Music therapy can reach various goals, such as managing stress, promoting wellness, and helping with feelings expression. Not only people from all age groups can benefit from music therapy, but people with Alzheimer’s disease, mental health disorders, and many other conditions can also benefit from music therapy.

People undergoing music therapy do not need any previous music ability or experience. Music therapy can be carried out in healthcare facilities like hospitals, rehabilitative facilities, and treatment centres. It can also be carried out in non-healthcare facilities, like schools, senior centres, and nursing homes. Different types of music are used for achieving different goals, for example, active music making through drumming for stress relief and passive listening of music for relaxation during labour and delivery. 

Health conditions may benefit from music therapy

Pain

There are several studies demonstrating the benefits of music therapy on relieving pain associated with certain health conditions, such as pain associated with giving birth, cancer chemotherapy and treating nose fractures. Some of the literature also suggested that music-based intervention is beneficial for acute and chronic pain in general. It also helps relieve emotional distress caused by the pain. It has a greater beneficial effect when the style of music is preferred by the individuals. 

Anxiety

Music therapy can also help relieve anxiety for various health conditions and healthcare settings, such as waiting to have surgery, cancer, and dialysis treatments. However, there have been inconsistent results for anxiety in association with dental care.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

Although there are no consistent findings demonstrating a beneficial effect of music therapy on ASD, some showed promising results in particular areas. For example, educational music therapy (musical games) can improve children’s speech and improvisational music therapy (music making) can improve social functioning. 

Cancer

Studies have shown that music therapy can reduce anxiety, depression, and perceived pain in individuals with cancer, and thus, improving their quality of life. 

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Studies have suggested that music therapy may be beneficial for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by improving shortness of breath, anxiety, and sleep quality.

Cognitive impairment and dementia

Music therapy such as listening to music, singing, and playing instruments has the potential to reduce depressive symptoms and improve behaviour difficulties in general. It may also help reduce anxiety resulting from dementia and cognitive impairment. In a nutshell, music therapy may help improve moods and quality of life. 

Depression

Studies have shown utilising music therapy and usual treatment can help reduce depressive symptoms in adults and adolescents with depression. It can also reduce anxiety and improve their functioning as in being able to maintain their daily activities to a greater extent. 

Fibromyalgia

Music therapy may be able to help reduce pain and depression for people with fibromyalgia hence improving their quality of life. However, more research is needed for more consistent results. 

Multiple sclerosis

Music therapy has been shown to be effective in improving coordination, balance, gait and walking, moods, and pain for people with multiple sclerosis. 

Parkinson’s disease

Rhythmic auditory stimulation

The ability to walk can be improved by rhythmic auditory stimulation like sounds produced by a metronome. Gait speed and stride length are greatly improved. 

Music-based movement therapy

Music-based movement therapy involves physical exercises like dancing with music. It improves individuals with Parkinson’s Disease’s motor function, balance, walking speed, and mental health. 

Singing

Singing as a form of music therapy has the potential to improve people with Parkinson’s disease’s speech.

Preterm infants

Music therapy is often used in neonatal intensive care units but no significant effect has been found so far. 

Schizophrenia

Music therapy may reduce negative symptoms such as depressive thoughts and self-neglect but shows no effect on positive symptoms (hallucinations and delusions).

Stress

Stress impacts both psychological factors, like nervousness and feeling restless, and physiological factors, such as heart rate and blood pressure. Studies have suggested that music therapy has beneficial effects on both aspects.

Stroke 

Music therapy may play a role in the rehabilitation of a stroke. Studies have demonstrated a beneficial effect of music therapy on walking, balance, and cognition in people who have had a stroke. Rhythmic auditory stimulation may also be beneficial in terms of gait and balance while receptive music therapy may improve moods and cognition. 

Tinnitus

Sound therapies

Sound therapies like using different types of sounds to mask the tinnitus have found no promising results in improving the issue. 

Notched music therapy

Notched music therapy removes the sounds in which their frequency is close to the frequency of the tinnitus when listening to music. The loudness of the tinnitus may be reduced but it cannot be removed by using notched music therapy. 

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD

PTSD is a type of anxiety disorder resulting from extremely stressful, frightening, or distressing events. It can be caused by events such as serious road accidents, sexual assault, or childbirth experiences. It can happen right after the traumatic events or weeks, months, and even years after the events. Although the process of treating it can be long and daunting, it can be treated successfully. The treatments vary from person to person. Some may need antidepressants while some may need talking therapies. You should always consult a healthcare professional for medical advice.

Symptoms of PTSD

Intrusive memories

Intrusive memories include:

• Recurrent and unwanted memories of the traumatic events that lead to distressing feelings
• Having flashbacks of the traumatic events like it is happening again
• Bad dreams and nightmares related to the traumatic event, and
• When encountering something related to the traumatic event that reminds you of that, severe emotional distress and physical reactions may result

Avoidance

Examples of being avoidant include:

• Avoid thinking about the traumatic event
• Avoid talking about the traumatic event, and
• Avoiding things that would remind you of the traumatic event, such as places, activities, and people

Thoughts and moods may become negative

Negative thoughts and moods may include:

• Negative thoughts about the world and people
• Feeling hopeless about the future
• Having trouble remembering the details of the traumatic event
• Encountering difficulties when forming and maintaining close relationships with people
• Emotionally detached from family and friends
• Losing interest in activities you used to enjoy
• Difficult to have positive emotions, and
• Experience emotion numbness

Physical and emotional reactions differ from before

Physical and emotional reactions may have the following changes:

• Easily startled or frightened
• Always being guarded from potential dangers
• Being self-destructive thought activities like over-drinking and speeding when driving
• Having sleep problems
• Having trouble focusing
• Being irritable, angry, and aggressive
• Feeling guilty, and shame can be overwhelming

How does music therapy help PTSD

Emotional expression and release

Music provides a non-verbal outlet for expressing emotions that may be difficult to put into words. Creating or listening to music can help individuals process and release pent-up emotions associated with trauma.

Relaxation and stress reduction

Certain types of music, particularly slow-tempo and calming melodies, can induce relaxation and reduce stress. This can be particularly helpful for managing the heightened arousal and anxiety often associated with PTSD.

Coping mechanism

Music therapy can teach individuals coping skills and mechanisms to deal with triggering situations. This might involve creating playlists of calming or empowering music that can be used during difficult moments.

Improvement of mood and well-being

Engaging in music-making activities or listening to favourite songs can stimulate the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine and endorphins, promoting a more positive mood and overall well-being.

Building connections

Group music therapy sessions can provide a sense of community and connection among individuals who have experienced similar traumas. Shared musical experiences can foster a supportive environment.

Encouraging mindfulness

Mindful listening or playing of music can help individuals stay present in the moment, which can be beneficial for managing symptoms related to intrusive thoughts and flashbacks.

Enhancing communication

For some individuals, verbal communication about traumatic experiences can be challenging. Music therapy offers an alternative means of communication and self-expression.

Integration of positive memories

Music has the power to evoke memories. By associating positive musical experiences with specific memories, individuals can work towards building positive connections and associations.

Summary

PTSD can be very stressful as the memories of the traumatic events keep coming back and it affects your mood negatively hence lowering your quality of life. With the help of music therapy, you may find it easier to talk about the traumatic events instead of avoiding it. This helps you face the trauma and therefore process it.

Listening to music can also reduce depressive symptoms so that you would experience fewer episodes of low mood. However, if you think you or someone around you are experiencing PTSD, it is best to consult professional medical advice so that any therapies or medical treatment can be specialised for you.