Using Music Therapy in the Treatment of Stress and Anxiety...

One of the largest mental health issues that people face is stress and the anxiety that it can cause. It can also be the trigger for many of the physical health ailments that are experienced on a daily basis. Typically a normal response to situations that may be harmful, anxiety helps alert people of danger. But it is when that emotional response is elevated beyond a normal level that prolonged disruption of daily life occurs. As stated in the Journal of Music Therapy, â€Å"anxiety is generally regarded a negative emotional response to situations that are appraised to be threatening† (Elliot, Polman and McGregor 2011, p. 264) (as cited in Spielberger, 1989, p. 3-17). At the cognitive level, anxiety can produce feelings of apprehension,†¦show more content†¦One technique that would fulfill the recommended criteria is music listening. Music therapy is a practice that can help therapists with their patients. In order to optimally meet their clients needs, music the rapists seek ongoing clinical and educational training to add depth and breadth to their clinical skills (Ghetti, 2011). The Canadian Journal of Music Therapy pointed out that â€Å"the body of scientific research builds to support the effect of the mind on the body, the use of music therapy as complementary medicine is becoming more widespread (Mohammadi,Shahabi ,and Panah , 2011, p. 59) (as cited in Hanser,2002). Using music as a treatment to treat stress and anxiety, seems to be an excellent option for those seeking a medicine free therapy to find relief and calmness. Recently, music therapy has been applied to children who have severe emotional disturbances, high degrees of impulsivity and limited ability to self-regulate (Layman, Hussey, Laing, 2002). These emotional disturbances can lead the affected child to feel higher levels of stress and anxiety. Research has found that early trauma affects the developing nervous system, causing chronic states of over-arousal in traum atized children. Music is an ideal way to assist these children to self-regulate and soothe as it creates a middle ground between over-arousal and numbnessShow MoreRelatedThe Effects Of Music And Music Therapy On Mental Health1540 Words   |  7 PagesEffects of Music and Music Therapy on Mental Health A Review of Studies Done â€Å"The American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) defines music therapy as ‘an established health profession in which music is used within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of individuals’† (Barnett Shale, 2013, p.48). 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