An arts-informed study: a music therapists personal journey with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD and generalized anxiety disorder

Abstract

This arts-informed, first-person study examines how having a diagnosis of Attention- Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder has affected a music therapists’ journey through her personal and professional life. The data used in this study includes: a) an analysis of referential musical improvisations based on my past experiences, my feelings in the present, and what I am hoping for in the future; (b) an analysis of paintings created in response to the musical improvisations; and (c) the personal experience of the researcher during the artistic creations. Through analysis of the data nine themes were found, three in each time period: past - chaos, hardship, and heartache; present - building self-confidence, emerging happiness, and hope; and future - acceptance, joy, and confidence. These themes provide insight into the changes in perception of the researcher’s disability.