In this post, i’d be using the term “persons” more than “patients” because I know that a lot persons who are traumatized have in one way or the other convinced themselves that there isn’t any need to see for a form of therapy as Music. You get words like “I’ll handle it” or “I’ll be fine” yet there are still lingering memories in their minds. I’ll begin with a story of what happened a long time ago.
After the Second World War, soldiers returned with head wounds and traumatic brain injuries or call it battle fatigue or shell shock as it was called during the First World War which is now called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
With many of these soldiers, it was discovered that the pain and misery they experienced could only be helped by music. Medical practitioners in many veteran hospitals made it a call of duty to invite musicians to come and play for these soldiers who were patients, musicians were so excited to bring music to these broken, distressed and wounded people.
It was said of a lady by the name Kitty who had an immense intuitive gift that endeared her to the patients however terrible the issue was. Working with this individual patients called for empathy and personal interaction as much as any formal therapy and Kitty was very skilled at this, she was also an audacious improviser and was very playful both on the keyboard and in life; She helped a lot of person through this art accept what had happened and look to the future with renewed hope.
The recovery process of a person or a patient who is a victim of a traumatic experience is painful and takes time, some persons carry the memories of it for the rest of their lives. Trauma can come in form of rape, war, seeing a loved one die and lots more. Memories can be hard to go off a person’s mind, there is always a replay of the fear or the pain.
However, Music Therapy plays a major role in seeing that persons who are experiencing trauma, accept whatever happened, express emotions, enhance security and most importantly gain self confidence.
Music Therapy reduces stress and anxiety that must have been caused by the event. It brings about positive change in mood. It also brings about positive and active participation during the cause of treatment. It increases or enhances the level of a person’s control, confidence and empowerment. Physiologically it lowers blood pressure, reduces heart rate and relaxes the tension in muscles.
Music Therapy gives traumatized persons the permission to feel while healing takes place so a person begins to let out.
Below is a video that gives a practical side to what this post is all about
It’s always a joy reading from you!
