(23-11-12) Music therapy is on the rise

by Ben Meredith

(NaturalNews) Teen angst is under more scrutiny than ever these days. While extreme emotional highs and lows are expected during pubescent years, an array of prescriptions, help groups, and various forms of therapy have presented themselves to control these temperamental moods. Whether or not the emotional effects of puberty actually need to be corrected may be up for debate, but the addition of music therapy in the treatment of some youths has proved effective.

Music psychology can be therapeutic for any age. Given the roller coaster of feelings in teenagers and young adults; however, the potential for success is greater in this age group. The essence of this form of therapy is the utilization of music to learn to manage and explore emotions. Depending on the program, this can include listening to music, performing music, or a combination of the activities.

The decision to opt for music therapy programs seems to be most prominent in medical facilities and after-school establishments for children. It can range from simply having a musician come to play for listeners, such as in a Fort Lauderdale hospital, to providing MP3 players to patients, such as in a Michigan hospital's pediatric ward.

Music therapy has been particularly beneficial for participants between the ages of 15 and 25. This 10-year range is the peak for potential mental health problems, as well as suicide. There has also been observed success in the use of music therapy for cancer patients. Similar to the cheering effects of animal therapy (such as bringing a friendly dog to visit), music therapy lifts the spirits of those going through low points. Of course, music is not a cure for serious illness - mental or physical - but it can have a massive effect on one's attitude and improve outlook.

Some music therapists are hoping to extend the treatment to being a preventative measure. Ideally, it would provide a strategy for pubescent youth to understand and manage their extreme emotions. This application of the therapy would hopefully head off problems that can follow the onset of intense and overwhelming emotional states: substance abuse, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts.

There will always be those that don't believe in such methods of alternative treatment, but there are those that will say music therapy has been worthwhile. Whether or not it will become a prime choice for hospitals, schools, and those capable of executing such a program remains to be seen. It is undeniable, though, that while everybody has their individual taste in genre, music is a language that everyone can speak.

Sources for this article include:

http://medicalxpress.com

http://articles.sun

http://www.mlive.com

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