Music and depression

@dreamSmiles34

well you're right in a way but don't forget that music really can help sometimes

for example, when I was feeling really bad and lonely, I came across Rock'n'Roll Suicide by David Bowie, the end of the song sure made me cry but I felt better, as he screams "you're not alone!" even if in the end, you're still alone, having someone singing it to you can be quite reassuring

moreover, some studies (I can't remember which or who did them) showed that listening to sad music when you feel really down helps you because you feel understood, or it makes you cry hard (and sometimes it feels good to let it all out), or it comforts you in your state of sadness and creates a certain atmosphere that is indeed sad but can be comforting at the same time

I agree with you on the fact that you can try to escape reality by listening to music, but isn't that a good thing? if you just can't face reality for the moment, it's better to listen to music than do something else that could hurt you

escaping reality is a big issue that everybody, at some point in their life, needs to do I think, and everybody handles it in their own way

and when you say that a singer can't guide people because what he sings in his song don't reflect his real life, it's a different problem, it's not because he didn't do it that his words aren't right

and if it's only about the lyrics in music, listen to classical music or karaoke versions of your favourite songs!

I generally always listen to music when I am unhappy or miserable, and never happy music. If I am miserable, then I need to listen to sad or agressive music, especially Papa Roach

You make a judgment about music as a whole just because of one song you don't like?

What about instrumental music, does that create an illusion too?

I clicked on this thread expecting to read something about how much music helps people feel better, but NOPE, I was wrong! Boy is this some negativity! Music is a wonderful thing. It has helped me through times where NO ONE around me was there to support me. Music is therapeutic for the soul and mind.

I played music for a living for 38 years and, when I couldn't play anymore, I was immediately ostracized and forgotten. Music has played a big part in ruining my life. Incompetent medical professionals and an emotionally abusive wife did not help. Now I feel as though I am worth nothing and that my life is a complete waste.

@dreamSmiles34

I disagree, for myself at least. When im feeling low, I listen to music to help better express my emotions. If i find a song that I can relate to that can put my feelings into words that express what Im going through or whats going through my head, it helps me feel less alone in it. Same with when im happy and on a high, I listen to songs that further increase that sensation through upbeat tunes and lyrics that express the same feeling. :) I think everybody uses music in different ways, to some it might be a way for them to escape reality, but I dont think it is right to assume that about everybody. :p

We are all entitled to our beliefs and things that make us feel better or worse. However, I'm not comfortable with a thread telling others that music is evil and an illusion. I am very very spiritual, and, in my opinion, 'righteousness' is not what gets you to heaven, for those who believe in one. Prayer, meditation, nature, music, playing with pets, volunteering, solitude, etc are all ways various people cope with the pain of life or mental illness.

Here endth the lesson ...............

I love listening to music when I'm down and depressed, and feeling lonely. My nationality, is Chinese, and I speak Cantonese; but about 90% of my music library is of Korean Songs. I do understand some words (as I did learn the language for the beginners level). But I listen to certain groups because the singers inspire me. They are not just singers, song-writers, or dancers. They're also a huge part of their community. Some are ambassadors for Police, others secretly donate money to charities, others do modeling, some have their own brands of clothing or accessories, some have their own restaurants. Listening to their music, and see how they live as a person, makes me want to make my own life better. So, for me, music helps me relax when I'm feeling depressed. And when no one is home, I turn to my piano to play for an hour or so.

Researches are all different. It varies from person to person. They can't know what each person would feel if they listen to certain music when they are depressed. Even if researches state one thing, you need to try it out yourself. Your case may not be included in their case studies for when they did the research. They might not have picked a certain song for a certain group of people, to see what they feel after listening to it. It's just a very broad, general result to their studies~

Before I get going, I want to make sure to remind everyone that we are all entitled to our own opinons and beliefs. However, this forum is not an appropriate outlet forcing/imposing those beliefs upon others (even if we have good intentions). Posts above have been edited to reflect the community guidelines regarding imposing beliefs on others and giving advice.

I do want to share my take on music and mental health. As a psychologist, I spent time studying the impact music has on mental health. And, my education has given me a very different perspective than the original post of this thread. I see music as being beneficial for a variety of mental illnesses including anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and PTSD. It's even been shown to bring people with Alzhenier's disease out of their isolated world. Personally, I have regularly used music while walking my path and dealing with depression and PTSD. I'm going to include some articles and a video below to help explain why I feel music is so very powerful.

Clip from Alive Inside: How the Magic of Music Proves Therapeutic for Patients With Alzheimer's and Dementia: "Henry, a nursing home patient with alzheimers, who normally assumes a vegetative state, comes alive upon hearing music from his youth. Really amazing video!"

The Impact Of Music Therapy On Mental Health: "Research shows the benefits of music therapy for various mental health conditions, including depression, trauma, and schizophrenia (to name a few). Music acts as a medium for processing emotions, trauma, and grief—but music can also be utilized as a regulating or calming agent for anxiety or for dysregulation."

Music Therapy for Health and Wellness: "There is strong scientific evidence supporting the use of music therapy for mood enhancement and anxiety/stress relief, according to Natural Standard research."

Music, the Mind and Healing: "The varied benefits of music are well-known and the practice of music therapy has been around a long time. New research is bringing a greater understanding of the many ways music can help improve medical and mental health conditions and quality of life."

Music as medicine: "Researchers are exploring how music therapy can improve health outcomes among a variety of patient populations, including premature infants and people with depression and Parkinsons disease."

@dreamSmiles34 @AxelleSP @SHEAINTGOTNOSHOES @Phthalo @SkylerBlack77 @Axeman53 @kvo8 @Jaeteuk @iara @Laura @BunnyPants @Power

@dreamSmiles34

I do agree with you that singers sometimes cannot relate to the song they write however this does not mean that music does not help wth depression. It has helped me when I was down to feel better and in this bubble that nobody could burst. Hence music can be helpful regardless of how it affects the person who wrote it.