Art Therapy And Depression

Does art really have an effect on how we view ourselves? In this correlation research project we are looking into self-esteem and how it correlates to art therapy. There have been numerous articles and research studies done in order to test and evaluate the effects of art therapy in the constraints of self- esteem. In a study that evaluated the strategies to elevate self-esteem in female juvenile offenders, they used art therapy as a tool in the goal of trying to elevate self-esteem. Derived from this article we receive a significant finding that art therapy is an effective strategy in order to help raise the level of self- esteem in the case of juvenile female offenders. The participants of this

It is easy to dismiss art therapy and to look upon it as a pleasant but unnecessary intervention for older adults because it is not perceived as a cure. Art therapy utilizes visual art making mediums such as painting, drawing, and sculpture (Malchiodi, 2011). The creative process of art making employs the ability of art to express thoughts and feelings in nonverbal communication. Its purpose is to maintain or improve mental and emotional well-being (Malchiodi, 2011). It is worth considering art therapy as a treatment option, aging can cause a significant amount of loss. Deteriorating physical health or decline in cognition, caring for a loved one who is suffering from Alzheimers, dementia or some other form of lost capabilities, loss of independence, social isolation, and grief caused by the death of spouse/partner, or friends are common events that older adults live with. This can affect a person's sense of well being and purpose in life which has been associated with negative effects on their physical health (Pinquart, 2002). Mental health issues such as depression and anxiety can increase in people 65 years old and older. Art therapy is particularly good at addressing mental health issues that affect a person's sense of wellbeing. A review of Outcome Studies (Slayton, D'Archer, & Kaplan, 2010) concluded that there is a pool of quantifiable data to support the claim that variety of symptoms, age groups, and disorders can be effectively treated with art therapy. Loss is

The consensus regarding art is art is for artists, or it’s merely a hobby. But, what if art could alleviate symptoms of depression, or help those with PTSD? All of us has had to deal with some form of psychological issues in our lives. Whether causation of the problem is stress from work, caring for children or parents, cognitive decline, illness, depression, death, trauma or violent crime, these issues have affected us all. “… art can engage the mind and emotions more effectively than other forms of therapy” (Habib & Ali, 9). Society should implement art therapy in conjunction with traditional treatments in the above mentioned psychological issues and instances of nonverbal or closed-off patients.

Art therapy is still in a prototype study that in which allows some of the technicalities to be processed through the system and it allows the technicalities to be removed if needed. According to Gajic and Spiric “The most frequent type of common theme of combat stress presented battle and witnessing” (757) with all the military procedures put in place to help our veterans it is presented as a coping mechanism for the veterans with post traumatic stress disorder. PTSD is hundred percent common for military personnel when coming back from a traumatic war , like for instance Iraq and Afghanistan due to the fact of these area’s are hostile.

I found the article  "The expanding reach of art therapy: though it's a relatively new approach to mental health treatment, art therapy is gaining traction and making a difference in people's lives." on the Gale Group website.

For this research we will explore the power of meditation relaxation and the effects it has on treating college students suffering from depression. Two groups will be randomly assigned to one of two conditions: meditation-relaxation technique training or pseudo-relaxation training. Our independent variable is one of the two conditions and our dependent variable will be scores received from the Beck Depression Inventory. Based on past research with similar studies, it is hypothesized that the group receiving meditation-relaxation technique training will report lower rates of depression than the group receiving

2013). Ultimately, to ensure the provision of art-based therapies in mental health care are informed, evidence-based and embody the principles of clinical governance for safe and quality practice, the literature surrounding this issue must be appraised through a critique and synthesis

Neuroticism was shown to decrease after sessions of MBCT in Shinhoven et al.’s (2017) study, with the researchers concluding MBCT’s possibility of being an effective transdiagnostic approach for emotional disorders and emotional traits that are apparent in chronic depression. Forkmann et al.’s (2016) results found SI reduced after MBCT significantly on the BDI and equal to CBASP on the HAMD measurements. Thus, answering some of Davidson’s (2016) qualms with kinds of patients is MBCT works most effective on. Also, all studies followed the protocol of Segal et al. (2002), remaining consistent, and showing positive results. Likja et al. (2016) had a 30% relapse rate just following the protocol, with positive changes holding true from the 12-month mark to the 15-month mark. Segal et al. (2002) seems to have developed a good approach to preventing relapse in patients with recurrent depression, the research and Europe seems to back them up. However, there are still questions to be answered as Davidson pointed out, MBCT coupled with exercise is an interesting and proactive idea to lower relapse

Maxine Junge described brief psychodynamic family art therapy as a second wave to the group of family therapies. It combines both a non- pathologized and pathologized approach: solution-focused, narrative therapy, CBT, and drug and alcohol therapy. These therapeutic strategies aim to bring a focus to the family’s problem specific issues to address behavioral issues. The validity and use of time within long-term psychodynamic therapy was an interesting point made by Junge. Long-term therapy does not necessarily prove better for the client.

Physical activity has the ability to treat mild to moderate symptoms of depression, however, major depressive symptoms should be treated with drug therapy and psycho therapy (Artal, et al. 1998; Fontaine, 2000). Although the mechanistic relationship between depression and physical activity is not known, exercise can give a depressed person a feeling of accomplishment and a sense that they have taken some control back in their lives (Artal, et al. 1998). Intense sessions of physical activity also causes the release of Beta-endorphins which reduces pain and produces a relaxed feeling, which can ease the symptoms of depression (Artal, et al. 1998). The most important concept according to Osness and Mulligan (1998), however, is that short bouts of physical activity is not what is required to relieve depressive symptoms. It is a continuously physically active lifestyle that is more effective.

To test whether an art therapy program is effective at reducing recidivism in serious violent and chronic juvenile offenders, a large control group, and a large experimental group was randomly chosen and assigned. The control group was given an alternative form of treatment (other than art therapy, they were shown videos of violent and chronic juvenile offenders participating in art therapy programs) to act as the baseline for how well those who receive actual art therapy might benefit. Art therapy ran in 1-hour sessions, and videos ran for 1 hour.

In this section of lectures in Introduction to CHHS, Health Care and Rehabilitation were the main topics that were discussed as well as different organizations that worked in this specific section of health and human services. The lectures included: “Psychiatric Nursing”, “Crisis Intervention”, “Medical Yoga Therapy”, “Art Therapy”, “Therapeutic Animals.” Although this may not have been my favorite section overall, this segment did include my new favorite lecture, Art Therapy. A few new terms that were introduced to me during these lectures were: the occupation of an Art therapist, the art spectrum, the domination versus partnership system for collaboration, the BPS pentagon, and the concept that yoga medicine is not the same as a yoga class,

People encounter various challenges in life ranging from diseases, lack of basic essential needs and psychiatric problems among others. This has given rise to various forms of therapies being adopted by specialists whilst offering solutions to depressed individuals. Group therapy has taken a center-stage in the management of depression. Butler et al (2008) in their article titled "Meditation with yoga, group therapy with hypnosis, and psychoeducation for long-term depressed mood: a randomized pilot trial" show that depression and anxiety form part of the well-known conditions named by individuals seeking treatment using therapies and complementary alternatives. Alternative therapies include yoga, qigong, tai chi, mediation, and exercise. They argue that people are increasingly using these therapies. Butler provides information claiming that yoga and exercise are effective therapies with high rates than uncontrolled activities (Butler, et al 2008). The authors also demonstrate that these therapies can be compared to established anxiety treatments and depression treatments such as sertraline, cognitive behavioral therapy, and imipramine.

In particular, a study by Sandmire et al. (2016) examines the beneficial effects of art on anxiety using both subjective and objective measures. The researchers theorize that participating in 30 minute art activities will lower anxiety levels. As well, the researchers try to determine if the complexity of the art activity influences the degree of the effect, such that if complicated activities reduce anxiety more than simpler activities.

Art therapy is a mental health profession in which clients, facilitated by the art therapist, use art media, the creative process, and the resulting artwork to explore their feelings, reconcile emotional conflicts, foster self-awareness, manage behavior and addictions, develop social skills, improve reality orientation, reduce anxiety, and increase self-esteem. A goal in art therapy is to improve or restore a client’s functioning and his or her sense of personal well-being.