Music Therapy for Depression

A Natural Anti-Depressant Through Musical Entrainment

Sep 26, 2009
Anita Simpson

Depression May Respond to Music - darnok

Music can be used as a natural anti-depressant. A carefully selected list of songs can improve the mood of someone experiencing depression.

Music has been viewed as a natural anti-depressant for thousands of years. The Bible says in the book of 1 Samuel that young David was brought to King Saul's court to play the lyre for him when "an evil spirit tormented him." When David played, the evil spirit left and Saul felt better.

Although the styles have changed in the many years since King Saul, music still has power to improve an individual's mood. William Congreve, in his play Almeria, wrote "Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast."

Music Therapy

Music therapy is the use of music to achieve measurable goals regarding mood improvement, anger management, or other skills. According to The Tao of Music by John Ortiz, a conscious, systematic way to use music therapy for depression is to make an entrainment list. It is called "entrainment" because repeated listening to the playlist trains the mind to go from depression to neutral or slightly happy in response to a sequence of songs.

Making the Entrainment List for Depression

For successful music therapy, the entrainment list for depression should be made based on an individual's musical tastes. Classical and pop music tend to be the easiest styles to use when producing a progression from depression to neutral/happy. Sometimes country or rock will work as well, but heavy metal music is not usually a good choice.

The following factors are important to consider when trying music as an anti-depressant:

The most important factor is the meaning of each song to the person listening.
Ten to 14 songs make up the ideal list.
The first three songs are increasingly depressing and the fourth is the most depressing.
The fifth song is slightly brighter – hope has been introduced.
Subsequent songs become happier until a neutral or slightly happy mood is reached by the tenth song.
If desired, a few more songs may be added to reinforce the desired mood (relaxed, happy, carefree, inspired, etc.).

Using the Entrainment List During a Depressed Mood

The person experiencing the depressed mood should find a comfortable position either sitting or lying down. Then he or she should listen to the playlist from start to finish.

During the depressing songs, it is important to thoroughly feel and experience the sadness or hopelessness, rather than attempting to fight it off. Continuing with the rest of the list should naturally improve the mood; it is unlikely that the person will get "stuck" in a very depressed state (unless the entrainment list is not completed). The natural anti-depressant effect of the music will bring the person out of the undesired mood and into a neutral or happy state.

A Sample Entrainment List for Depression

The songs in this list represent a variety of pop and rock styles spanning the '60s to the '90s. Remember, this list is for illustrative purposes only.

"Crush" by Dave Mathews Band
"Losing My Religion" by R.E.M.
"Ordinary World" by Duran Duran
"My Immortal" by Evanscence
"One Headlight" by the Wallflowers
"I Let the Music Speak" by ABBA
"Eyes Without a Face" by Billy Idol
"Baker Street" by Gerry Rafferty
"Turn! Turn! Turn!" by The Byrds
"I Made it Through the Rain" by Barry Manilow
"Waterloo" by ABBA
"When Smokey Sings" by ABC
"Walk of Life" by Dire Straits
"You Get What You Give" by New Radicals

In The Tao of Music, Ortiz reports on a woman with depression that had not responded to medications. He asked her to create an entrainment list according to the principles listed above. Before she even listened to the the list, the act of creating it improved her mood because she was taking charge of her own recovery and accepting her own thoughts and feelings rather than fighting them. This is just one way that an individual can benefit from using music as an anti-depressant measure.

This article is for general information only. It is not meant to be a substitute for medical or mental health care. Individuals with troubling symptoms should seek the advice of a health care or mental health professional.

Anita Simpson - I enjoy studying people and culture (and writing about them!). As a young child, I lived in a variety of locations in Texas and Louisiana. ...

A Natural Anti-Depressant Can Be Found in Music - pschubert

Comments

Jan 2, 2010 11:02 AM

Guest :

likewise negative music can do the opposite would you agree?

Mar 12, 2010 12:34 PM

Guest :

The author failed to consider the use of jazz, the most emotional of all music. I find the upbeat big band style of Maynard Ferguson a good cure for depression.

Apr 28, 2010 2:47 PM

Guest :

Very interesting!
But from my experience heavy metal works too, in fact it works the best for me. But not all of it, only certain songs e.g. Judgement Of Heaven by Iron Maiden.

Feb 22, 2011 9:00 PM

Guest :

I've known what music can do for the mind. However, much like everything else we read, one must take everything as a grain of salt. In my personal opinion music is understood in many different ways. For example, some would enjoy music for the lyrics and how they relate to the words.These words may trigger verbal cues, or thoughts in the mind which may remind them of a certain memory. Much like poetry. Some understand music, through the melody, the tone, the bass, the musical instruments that come together in harmony to produce a sensation or a feeling. Some do both.

I can agree with the author. I guess she is implying that one can use music as a vessel. For example, use music to derive emotional feelings, meaning, by going through songs that one may find depressing initially and gradually listening to songs that are less depressing, to finally listening to few songs towards the end that are uplifting, one can find relief.

People use this method, without even knowing. I've done it for years upon years knowing what emotions are derived from a particular song or songs. What melody triggers a memory, what musical instruments do what for me. What lyrics on a specific song or a specific part of a song can do for one's mind and feelings. I've done it since the world was first introduced to "mp3's," and the infamous Napster and so on and so forth.

For those who are reading this, take it from me. Much like a song, it doesn't last forever. Initially one may feel a sense of relief from going through fourteen songs that gradually lift you from the very sad and blue, to the happy and joyful.

It's a temporary relief. In my opinion, if one was having financial issues, and he/she conducts this activity, I bet most would feel a "little" better, but it doesn't solve the problem. I don't think listening to music will put money in your bank account. I personally don't think, listening to a list of songs would bring a loved one back to life. It may help you forget for a while, but if everything bad was as easy to get rid of as listening to songs, I suppose this article wouldn't even exist.

So in my conclusion, I think this is a great article, but I can also say that it varies from person to person. I can also say that, having music around is better than having no music around. Think of this activity as a band aid. It'll soothe the pain or the depression for couple hours but eventually it will fall off and almost everything works just like that. Others can't relate this way and find other activities. Some run everyday, some take drives alone, some hike the mountains, some swim endlessly, and some do all of the above.

On a final note, I'd like to say that I did enjoy reading the article and responding to it. Hopefully, others can find good in it, and for those who are depressed or in pain, I do feel you and I hope you'll get better soon.

Nov 6, 2011 5:02 PM

Guest :

it is an excellent article,. I have a major Depression Disorder and I also am an advanced musician, whom can play everything from Jazz to Classical. I also compose. What I have noticed and I just did it now is, I can be feeling low, then I put an upbeat sounding music on that is, music that I find upbeat. Anyways, my mood changed almost instantaneously , I have been monitoring this and when I play or study Bach, my moods go up and I feel great! Now, if I listen to or study particular pieces, for example, lets say from Chopin, and the piece is sad in nature and sounding, I get sad and my moods swing quite low, then I put om or even play upbeat Jazz and my mood changes drastically, for the better. There is no doubt in my mind that, music is an effective treatment for Depression. I am living proof of this hypothesis..

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