Music Therapy and Depression: Music Therapy in Conjunction with Standard Therapies May Increase Positive Results

Abstract

Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses in the world. In the United States, some 7% of the total population experienced an episode of major depression in 2017 (nimh.nih.gov). While treatment is usually prescribed in the form of behavioral therapy, medication, or a combination of the two, the novel treatment of music therapy is not typically prescribed. For people who are diagnosed with major depression, the rate of recovery is about 52%, and is higher in those with higher levels of education and a willingness to adhere to conventional psychotherapy. Clearly, depression is an illness that requires innovative approaches. Music therapy is an increasingly common modality used to treat many types of human ailments such as posttraumatic stress disorder, recovery from surgery, and high blood pressure. Music acts as an emotional stimulant for listeners- even in those with depression. Music therapy combined with conventional therapy can offer patients with depression the emotional breakthrough needed to recover (Aalbers et al).