Music Therapy as Treatment for Depression and ADHD

With origins believed to date back as early as Aristotle and Plato, music therapy has become an alternative to traditional cognitive and behavioral therapies.  Michigan State University developed the first college curriculum in 1944 in response to a positive impact music therapy had on veterans of WWI and WWII. Music therapy successes are based on the utilization of creative lyrics, in addition to harmony, to stimulate the senses of a patient. In doing so, music therapy provides an impact to the physical, cognitive, emotion and social well-being. More recently, music therapy has begun to incorporate into the treatment of eating disorders, ADHD and depression with a benefit exhibited to both genders and across various age groups.

In the treatment of depression, music therapy provides spoken words in addition to harmony in an effort to provide inspiration and promote wellness.  Music therapy alleviates pain and promotes calmness by slowing the heart rate and other bodily functions. It is through the therapy that a patient will feel more adept to expressing emotion and begin to feel a motivation to fight against the disease.

In addition to depression, music therapy is also used to treat patients suffering from eating disorders. Musical collaborations downplaying society’s focus on external appearance are just one avenue of therapy utilized.  Additionally, by using soft, slow music, the patient is able to better manage stress and anxiety associated with compulsions to overeat.  It is through music therapy that a patient may begin to divert thoughts of food to thoughts of relaxation thereby awakening internal coping mechanisms.