Studies suggest that art therapy can be very valuable in treating issues such as depression, anxiety , post-traumatic stress disorder and even some phobias. It is a great way to express your emotions without words, process complex feelings and find relief. In this article, we will take a closer look at art therapy and discuss its mental health benefits. Art therapy can be defined in many ways, but the simplest way to define it is an application of the visual arts in a therapeutic context.
There are many simple activities you can try from the comfort of your home such as art journaling, sketching, making collages, sculpting with clay, etc. The only thing that matters is that you feel comfortable using it. However, working with a licensed therapist also has its advantages because a professional can tailor each activity to your own needs.
If the activities are done in a group, they are excellent for building healthy connections with other people, which may be very helpful if you are fighting depression. The most important thing is that you should try art therapy only if you want it. Expressing yourself through art can be self-revealing and sometimes equally painful as talking.
Anyone who feels overwhelmed or pressured by the hectic world we live in should try art therapy. Creating art will give you a chance to slow down and explore any issues you may be having. Art therapy improves the mental health of people who are dealing with addictions, anxiety, attention disorders, grief and loss, dementia, depression, eating disorders , physical illness, PTSD , trauma, relationship issues and much more.
Since the focus is on the process and not the final product, art therapy is not about becoming a great artist but about finding meaning and connection in your life. All you need for it is a willingness to experiment. Art therapy can be used as a complement to traditional mental health treatment. The aim is to manage behaviors, process feelings, reduce stress and anxiety, and increase self-esteem. Human beings are innately creative, and all you need to do to complete an art therapy activity successfully is, to be honest with yourself and your emotions.
Once you unleash your creativity , your inner artist will quickly wake up. Studies also show that creating art stimulates the release of dopamine. This chemical is released when we do something pleasurable, and it basically makes us feel happier. Increased levels of this feel-good neurotransmitter can be very helpful if you are battling anxiety or depression. Mental health professionals and experts agree that art therapy has many benefits, from boosting your self-esteem , and providing you a safe outlet to relieve your emotions, to giving you a sense of control over your life and helping you to get to know and understand yourself better.
During the process of art creation, you will be taking yourself on a journey of self-discovery that will help you eliminate emotional roadblocks, and learn how to communicate with yourself and others. She actively encourages the use of art therapy in her galleries. One in five Americans experiences a mental health problem every year, but when it happens to someone you love, it can feel like you are all alone.
Laurel House, Inc. See the Film. The opinions and views expressed in this guest blog do not necessarily reflect those of www.
The author and www. The benefits art therapy can have on mental and physical health. Some of their findings show art therapy: Helped reduce pain, decrease symptoms of stress and improve quality of life in adult cancer patients. Improved ability to deal with pain and other frightening symptoms in children with cancer. Reduced stress and anxiety in children with asthma. Stimulated mental function in older adults with dementia.
Indicated a reduction in depression in Parkinson's patients. Did you find this article useful? Such instances provide an opportunity to offer accurate information and educate the public. Bona fide art therapy is beyond the scope of practice of non-art therapists. Another context in which art therapy may be inaccurately categorized includes professional trainings that furnish a certificate upon completion, which may mislead the participant to believe that he or she can practice art therapy.
These sorts of trainings, workshops, and the like, give attendees the erroneous impression that art therapy is a modality rather than a profession. Published online November 6, Farokhi M. Art therapy in humanistic psychiatry. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences. Haen C, Nancy Boyd Webb. Haen C, Webb NB, eds. Routledge; The effectiveness of art therapy in the treatment of traumatized adults.
Effectiveness and meaningfulness of art therapy as a tool for healthy aging: a comprehensive systematic review protocol.
JBI Evidence Synthesis. Art therapy among palliative cancer patients: Aesthetic dimensions and impacts on symptoms. Palliative and Supportive Care. Hunter M. Art therapy and eating disorders.
Schmanke L. Art therapy and substance abuse. Art Therapy. Regev D, Cohen-Yatziv L. Effectiveness of art therapy with adult clients in —what progress has been made? Front Psychol. Positive effects of art therapy on depression and self-esteem of older adults in nursing homes.
Social Work in Health Care. How do patients actually experience and use art in hospitals? The significance of interaction: a user-oriented experimental case study. Gussak DE. Art therapy in the prison milieu. Stuckey HL, Nobel J. The connection between art, healing, and public health: A review of current literature. Am J Public Health. Bird J. Art therapy, arts-based research and transitional stories of domestic violence and abuse. International Journal of Art Therapy.
0コメント