Music is an art form, a means of expression, a gift of life. Romanticists, philosophers, and great thinkers summed up the importance of music- "music is life". Indeed, music is one of the reasons why the human race still thrives.
More than just aesthetics, beauty, and art, music has also bee linked to science and its effectiveness in facilitating the healing of a number of psychopathological conditions. The rise of music therapy as a field of expertise-both as a creative approach in psychotherapy and a tool that alters the brain's biochemistry-has led to groundbreaking research and practice that continue to change our approach to healing and to psychopathology in general.
Supported by the American Psychiatric Association, music therapy has been found to help heal the following conditions:
Depression
Depression is a condition that holistically involves not only he psychological aspect but also the physical, social, and even spiritual life of a person. It is different from "normal" experiences of loss, sadness, or passing moods in that they are persistent and can significantly interfere with everyday life. Research has found that music therapy can help increase responsiveness to antidepressant medications.
Autism
Autism, a brain disorder, is linked with various developmental problems such as social interaction and communication. Several studies have found that individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders often display heightened response and interest to music. This distinct response can be utilized for teaching verbal and nonverbal communication skills and establishing developmental processes.
Dementia
Dementia is particularly common among older adults. Its causes have been liked to changes in the brain associated with trauma and disease, and these changes happen either abruptly or gradually, resulting to an altering of cognition- thinking, learning, and perceiving. Dementia can also lead to personality or behavioral changes. Music therapy is particularly effective as a supplement in dealing with dementia as it helps reduce aggressiveness, and improve cooperation and mood. Music also has the capacity to lower the risk of brain or heart disease among elderly dementia patients.