Music as Medicine

To get more personal aspects of Music Therapy, I interviewed my sister, Shauna, and her boyfriend, Dan.

Shauna:

Q: How Has Music Affected Your Life?
A: Music has affected my life in a very positive and enlightening way. Growing up in the 90’s and 2000’s I’ve been influenced by many varieties of music. My personal favorite when I was young was, of course, NSYNC*, Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears. But I also liked punk music, rock, and rap. I don’t think I had that much of a connection with music until I was about 16. I started researching songs and memorizing lyrics, and the more lyrics I read the more connected with the artists I felt. Having that teenage angst that most teenagers have, some lyrics to punk/ pop songs would be very relatable. My first real experience with live music was an American idol concert I went to when I was 16 (lol). Ever since that concert experience, I have been obsessed with live music. Even now at 26 years old, I try to go to a few concerts a year. The connection you get with an artist at a concert is unlike any feeling I can explain. It’s much more emotional and personal even though I’m 1 of 50,000 people. Sad songs affect me a lot, I really can feel the emotion from some of my favorite artists when I listen to sad or slow songs by them. Happy songs do the same for me. If I am in a horrible mood and I listen to my favorite band, my mood is instantly better.
Q: In What Ways Has Music Helped You?
A: Music has helped me get through so many tough times in my life. Having chronic depression and anxiety, music is an escape for me. It allows me to focus on the lyrics and beats and not think about what is burdening me at the time. Specific lyrics have helped me get through difficult situations as well. I actually have lyrics from my favorite song tattooed on my body! There are times when I can’t find the words that I’m trying to express but certain lyrics describe the feeling perfectly.
Q: Can You Give a Specific Example Or Time When Music Has Helped You?
A: I have a lot of examples of how music has moved me but there is one that stands above the rest, literally. I brought my sister to a twenty one pilots concert year ago. This band means absolutely everything to her and I knew it was going to be amazing. After standing in the pit area for 9 hours to hold our spot and get front row, they came out. I guess I can describe the feeling I had as a sense of overwhelming happiness/ anxiety/ stress/ relief all in one. I looked at my sister who was crying which instantly made me cry more than I already was. I was so happy at that moment that I almost felt like I could never experience that feeling again, until the end of the show.
During the last song, Trees, the two band members come out into the pit area and stand on these 4×4 rectangular platforms. It’s only large enough for maybe 3 fans on each side to hold and it’s just luck if you happen to be standing in the area the platform is lowered onto. Well, Colleen and I were standing in the exact spot the platform was put, our hands literally went into the handles of this thing, it was ridiculously lucky. Tyler comes out and starts climbing from the security barricade to the platform, now he’s inches from us that if we wanted we could hold his ankles and legs. I pulled colleen closer so she could get a better grip on the platform. He finished the song, was smiling saying thank you to the fans then got down and back onto the main stage to bow with Josh. The last song they perform is a really emotional song for both Colleen and me so it was a really perfect moment. This experience moved me in such a powerful way that I didn’t know existed until that day. We stood in each other’s arms as everyone cleared out of venue just crying. It made Colleen and I connect on a level we have never connected on before.We’ll always have this to look back on and remember how amazing this experience was and how fortunate we are to have gone. I was so moved by this experience and will never forget it. I watch the videos from this concert whenever I am having a bad day with my depression and even though it makes me cry, I still feel better. It was an even better experience for Colleen since this band is more than just music to her, so just being able to take her to see them was so important to me.
Q: How Do You Feel About Music Therapy Helping The Rest of the World?
A: Music therapy definitely needs more recognition this day and age. With the growing problem of teenage depression, integrating music into psychology could be a very helpful resource for teens. Schools are starting to have more music programs which helps this become a reality. A lot of people, including myself and Colleen, use music as means of therapy already. If my depression is at its worst, I listen to music. A lot of the time I listen to classical since it is calming. Having really bad anxiety, I can’t really go into busy stores or malls but something I have learned helps me is wearing headphones when I go into these places. I’ll listen to classical or twenty one pilots usually. It doesn’t completely make the anxiety and panic go away but it definitely helps.
Q: How Can We Spread The Word On How Important Music Therapy Is?
A: In college, I did a paper on the positive effects of music therapy on adolescents in a research methods class. Doing the research for this I discovered so much on the subject that people are not even aware of. It’s really up to psychologists and Doctors who are interested in the subject to get the word out there since they can take action and preach the therapy to those in need. Music, chorus and band teachers can also take action by creating more opportunity for music therapy classes to be in schools.
With the constant use of social media, anyone can get out there and start a blog or website discussing music therapy with others.

I asked Shauna’s boyfriend Dan to share his opinions and answer some questions as well.

Q: How Has Music Affected Your Life?
Dan: I have been lucky to say that music has affected my life in many positive ways. For a portion of my life, I have been able to make a living writing/performing music. Many of my closest friendships have been made because of my connection with music. Music has been able to give me opportunities in life that I may not have had otherwise.
Q: In What Ways Has Music Helped You?
Dan: Music has helped me to cope during difficult times in my life. Whether it has been dealing with the loss of a loved one, or just having a difficult day at work, music has been able to transport me to a positive place.

Q: What’s a Specific Example of How Music Has Moved You?
Dan: The way I use music therapy is looking back on the times music has moved me and using that as inspiration for my depression.
Q: How Do You Feel About Music Therapy Helping The Rest of the World?
Dan: Music therapy has been used to help patients with Alzheimer’s, developmental disabilities, and other forms of mental health issues. I feel there is still much to learn about the way the brain reacts to certain sound waves pertaining to music, but studies have been able to show, and ultimately prove, that there is a connection with the way we are able to use music therapy to help cognitive development within these patients.
Q: How Can We Spread The Word on How Important Music Therapy Is?
Dan: The only way to increase awareness is by educating others on the importance of music therapy, and by showing results of current testing that has been administered.

(Featured Image taken by Dan Mitchell)