Music For Change: How Music Therapy Can Help Clients With PTSD
Music is a universal language that connects us not only across cultures but spiritually, emotionally, and physically. We all experience music differently; some songs inspire physical movement while others move us emotionally. Music can help us recall memories and bring us back to moments from our past. It can trigger joyful memories, painful memories, memories of loved ones who have passed, or friendships that didn’t stand the test of time. We know this instinctively before even considering research- we understand that music can be the anthem that gets you out of bed in the morning or the motivation you need to finally get some deep cleaning done. We understand intuitively how we as humans connect with music. This is why music therapy can be a helpful tool for individuals with PTSD, whose symptoms often disconnect people from themselves.
The Research: Why Music Therapy for Individuals with PTSD?
From the anthems that propel us through our mornings to the melancholic melodies that comfort us during tough times, music can evoke memories, inspire change, and offer solace. Research shows that music activates key areas in the brain responsible for memory and emotions, notably the hippocampus and the amygdala. Some studies indicate that music engages the emotional centers of our brains, particularly the amygdala, which plays a pivotal role in processing feelings. This activation fosters emotional responses and triggers memories associated with specific songs, creating a powerful connection between music and our personal histories. Some theories suggest individuals are drawn to music that mirrors their emotional state. Listening to songs that resonate with our current circumstances can be a powerful form of validation. A song’s tempo, rhythm, instrumentation, and lyrics can all contribute to its ability to provide comfort during challenging times, reminding us that we are not alone in our experiences. This sense of connection through music can enhance emotional authenticity, allowing us to explore and express our feelings more freely. Hearing someone say through a song “I see you” can make music therapy a powerful mode of support for clients who have been diagnosed with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder As a Diagnosis
There are multiple diagnostic criteria for PTSD. Taken straight from the American Psychiatric Association’s article on PTSD, “People with PTSD have intense, disturbing thoughts and feelings related to their experience that last long after the traumatic event has ended. They may relive the event through flashbacks or nightmares; they may feel sadness, fear or anger; and they may feel detached or estranged from other people. People with PTSD may avoid situations or people that remind them of the traumatic event……Symptoms fall into the following 4 categories:
Intrusion: Intrusive thoughts such as repeated, involuntary memories; distressing dreams; or flashbacks of the traumatic event. Flashbacks may be so vivid that people feel they are reliving the traumatic experience or seeing it before their eyes.
Avoidance: Avoiding reminders of the traumatic event may include avoiding people, places, activities, objects and situations that may trigger distressing memories. People may try to avoid remembering or thinking about the traumatic event. They may resist talking about what happened or how they feel about it.
Alterations in cognition and mood: Inability to remember important aspects of the traumatic event, negative thoughts and feelings leading to ongoing and distorted beliefs about oneself or others (e.g., “I am bad,” “No one can be trusted”); distorted thoughts about the cause or consequences of the event leading to wrongly blaming self or other; ongoing fear, horror, anger, guilt or shame; much less interest in activities previously enjoyed; feeling detached or estranged from others; or being unable to experience positive emotions (a void of happiness or satisfaction).
Alterations in arousal and reactivity: Arousal and reactive symptoms may include being irritable and having angry outbursts; behaving recklessly or in a self-destructive way; being overly watchful of one's surroundings in a suspecting way; being easily startled; or having problems concentrating or sleeping.”
Given the whole-life impact of PTSD symptoms, individuals may benefit from a holistic and multi-faceted approach that considers the many impacts of this traumatic event.
Music Therapy and PTSD
Music therapy, in which clients work with a board-certified music therapist to work towards non-musical goals (such as emotional regulation, processing traumatic events, development of healthy coping tools, etc), can be a particularly helpful therapy for individuals diagnosed with PTSD. Music can alter or enhance the mood in a room full of people and this effect can be even more powerful on an individual level- this is just one of the reasons it is so useful for patients with PTSD.
The use of music therapy can help decrease the intensity, severity, and frequency of symptoms associated with a PTSD diagnosis. Music can be used as a coping mechanism for panic attacks, both preventative and/or in the moment. Music therapy can also be used to address triggers and how to get through them. Lyrical analysis can be useful when trying to express feelings and emotions, and lyric rewrites can help clients fit a pertinent song to their exact experience, leading to increased insight. The possibilities are extensive, but let’s dive deeper into a few potential goal areas with which music therapy can help.
Music Therapy for Detachment
A significant potential goal area for people with PTSD is avoiding detachment—whether it’s from family, friends, partners, or children. This is an area where music therapy can be extremely helpful. Music has a way of connecting participants within a group setting, finding meaning in individual sessions, as well as building rapport with your therapist. When participants hear the same lyrics, often the lyrics can mean vastly different things to each person listening. When participants open up and share their points of view, it allows for the building and/or mending of relationships on a deeper level.
MT for Loss of Autonomy/Control
Many people diagnosed with PTSD are confronted with a feeling of loss of control. Music can aid with self-empowerment, self-esteem, and a sense of self/autonomy/control. Individuals with PTSD can experience strong emotions around what they can and cannot control; extreme trauma is often a circumstance that is out of their hands. This can lead to avoidant behaviors when faced with similar situations. When clients have input on song selections, treatment goals, as well as the course of sessions and interventions chosen, they can regain autonomy with sessions.
MT for Insight
Engaging in therapeutic music writing or altering lyrics to reflect a more personal meaning, can be a powerful tool for growth. Even just reflecting on our musical selections can reveal patterns in our emotional landscape! What songs invoke fond memories? Which tracks remind us of difficult experiences? This activity can illuminate our emotions and guide us toward more empowering narratives and help us process feelings in a constructive way.
MT for Relaxation
Another goal area a music therapist can address is relaxation. Many people with PTSD have trouble sleeping or letting go of their day when they settle in at night. Sleep can also be a source of anxiety and subsequently avoided by the individual, leading to an exacerbation of symptoms. Music can aid in relaxation and feelings of security. Music therapists can facilitate guided meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation, and set up pre-recorded tracks that have been individualized for each particular client.
MT for Mood Modulation
Creating functional playlists can significantly enhance an individual's daily experiences. For example, a morning playlist filled with calming music that slowly transitions to upbeat tracks can encourage a gentle transition to wakefulness and set a positive tone for the day. On the flip side, a calming playlist can aid relaxation during stressful moments or transition before bed. Tailoring our music to match our emotional state can provide comfort or motivation as needed. By crafting playlists that cater to our specific moods and activities, we can harness the power of music to support our mental well-being.
Music serves as a profound tool for emotional expression and growth beyond a traumatic experience. By working with a music therapist to actively engage with our music choices through active or passive listening, analysis, and creating our own music, individuals can gain deeper insights into our emotional lives. In exploring your own musical preferences; you may discover connections between your emotions and the music that resonates with you!
At Resonate Music Therapy, you can work towards goals that are important to you, using music you connect with, with the support of a trained and board-certified music therapist. We use music to help clients reconnect with past memories, validate their emotions, and foster self-expression. Through personalized music therapy sessions, we encourage clients to explore their emotions and the music that resonate with their current emotional states, offering a safe space for expression and exploration.
Through activities like therapeutic music writing and lyric analysis clients are encouraged to reflect on their experiences and express themselves creatively, empowering them to reshape their own narratives.
Want to work with us? Learn more here: https://www.resonatemt.com/music-services#musictherapy
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