The Problem: PTSD and Expression
People suffering from PTSD often find it challenging to articulate their traumatic experiences verbally. This inability to express themselves becomes a significant hurdle in their recovery journey. According to the study, healing from trauma requires the individual to externalise their traumatic memories. In simpler terms, they need to find a way to get those haunting thoughts out of their heads and into the world in some form.
The Solution: Creative Arts Therapies
This is where creative arts therapies like art and music come into play. These therapies offer a sensory means of expression, allowing individuals to externalise their traumatic memories without necessarily putting them into words. For example, someone might paint a picture or compose a piece of music that captures the emotions they felt during a traumatic event. This act of creation serves as a form of emotional release, helping the individual process their trauma in a new light.
How It Works: Mechanisms of Change
The study outlines the mechanisms through which these therapies bring about change. When a person engages in art or music therapy, they’re not just doodling or strumming a guitar aimlessly. They’re actively participating in a structured therapeutic process designed to help them confront, understand, and eventually come to terms with their traumatic experiences. The act of creating art or music serves as a catalyst for emotional and psychological transformation.
Research Findings
The paper also reviews existing research on the effectiveness of art and music therapy in treating PTSD across different age groups and settings. The findings consistently show that these therapies can be highly effective in helping individuals reconstruct and transform their traumatic memories. This is true for children, adults, and families alike.
Historical Context
The study also touches on the historical role of the arts in therapy. From biblical times, where David’s harp soothed the troubled, to the cathartic effects of classic Greek drama, the arts have long been a refuge for those under stress. This historical context serves to reinforce the paper’s main argument: that the therapeutic power of the arts is not a new discovery but a well-established fact.
Conclusion
In summary, the study makes a compelling case for the use of art and music therapy in treating PTSD. By offering a sensory means of expression, these therapies enable individuals to externalise and transform their traumatic memories, facilitating their journey towards recovery.
