Music Therapy and Depression Essay -- Music Therapy and Mood Disorders

Introduction There are many studies that show how music therapy helps people with mood disorders. People with depression can benefit from music therapy because through music therapy they can lessen the symptoms of depression. In the studies and cases that will be mentioned we can see that music therapy is effective through methods like group therapy. It is shown that people with depression that go through music therapy are affected in a positive way. Overview of Mood Disorders Mood disorders are a class of behavioral-emotional disorders labeled by disruption in mood. Examples of this are depression or extreme elation. Some people may experience periods of depression or elation but this doesn’t mean they have a mood disorder. Mood disorders are defined around different episode. Episodes are periods of time where someone will show signs of different symptoms that reflect a change from how they were before (Davis, Gfeller, Thaut, 2008). If someone is having a depressive episode and this last for a long period of time they may be experiencing depression. Depression is marked by persistent depressed mood, changes in appetite or weight, lack of energy, difficulty concentrating and changes in sleep patterns. These symptoms can develop at a very difficult time in someone’s life and continue beyond a normal period of mourning. People can become depressed because of a difficult life event or some can become depressed for no reason at all (Symptoms of Depression, 2005-2013). Some ask â€Å"what is the difference between bipolar disorder and depression†. Bipolar disorder is also known as manic depression. The answer to this is that depression does not have manic episodes like bipolar disorder does. Bipolar changes between manic ... ...ic therapy. Works Cited Albornoz, Y. (2011). The effects of group improvisational music therapy on depression in adolescents and adults with substance abuse: a randomized controlled trial. Nordic Journal of Music Therapy, 20(3), 208-244. Grohol, J. (n.d.). What’s the Difference Between Bipolar Disorder and Depression?. Psych Central. Psych Central.com. Web. 7 December 2014. http://psychcentral.com/lib/whats-the-difference-between-bipolar-disorder-and-depression/000906 Meadows, A. N. (2011). Developments in music therapy practice case study perspectives. Gilsum: Barcelona Publishers. Werner, P. D., Swope, A. J., & Heide, F. J. (2009). Ethnicity, Music Experience, and Depression. Journal of Music Therapy, 46(4), 339-358. Viega, Micheal (2014). Systematic Process [Powerpoint Slides]. Viega, Micheal (2014). Some Basics [Powerpoint Slides].