Art Therapy in Schizophrenics: Based on Four Journal Articles

Schizophrenia is a complex, chronic mental disorder, which is categorized by certain symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions,

“This is where you can find your soul, if you dare.” (Anderson, pg 10) This belief comes from the mind of the Melinda, the progantists, art teacher, Mr. Freeman. Art is truly a door to the mind of an individual, showing things that people aren’t able to say. It shows through images and colors what many people aren’t able to express in words, events and thoughts speaking through the medium. Art is growing as a use of therapy to heal and tell. Psychologists analyze their patients art at a psychological level, interpreting the image into words. One of the theories in art therapy, which is seen throughout “Speak”, is the idea that unconscious thoughts are expressed in an image. (Irvings)These images then can be explained rationally. Melinda’s three major art images, the half dead trees, turkey bone, and cubism represent this theory.

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

Unfortunately, there is a lack of empirical evidence to suggest that art therapy works with specific symptoms of specific disabilities/diseases like autism and schizophrenia. Giovanni Mirabella holds a Ph.D. in the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology in Rome, Italy. In his article, “Is Art Therapy a Reliable Tool for Rehabilitating People Suffering from Brain/Mental Diseases?" Published in the Journal of Alternative & Complementary Medicine, Mirabella argues both sides in the article. While there may be plenty of anecdotal information regarding art therapy resulting in reverse brain degeneration, there are few studies to show empirical, evidence-based results on whether art therapies improve cognitive function of individuals suffering from degenerative brain

When artists create a piece of work, they carefully analyze every aspect that they could possibly include and then carefully select which pieces they want to include in the final product. The amount of time and effort it takes to compose a piece they are satisfied cannot be overstated and it is the hope of these artists that their work is admired by others. When looking at art there can be some much going on that it seems overwhelming and each piece of art is subject to the perspective and values of each of the viewers. This is why art critics created three basic theories that can be used to effectively judge art. Each of these looks for specific aspects in a piece and uses that to determine the quality of work completed. Depending on the piece of work that is to be evaluated, one theory may be more fitting than the others to apply to the specific piece. Georgia O’Keefe’s painting Summer Days portrays a beautiful desert scene that has a very strong personal meaning for the painting, making using an expressive theory a successful method for analyzing how her own passions and views influenced the work. On the other hand, Jan van Eyck’s Madonna of Chancellor Rolin used groundbreaking oil techniques that defied the traditional works of his time, making a formal theory that focuses attention on the overall composition an ideal means to judge his piece.

Fard, Farah Joan. "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." Art Business News, Winter 2015, p. 34+. Fine Arts and Music Collection, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=PPFA&sw=w&u=hillsbor&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA436797590&it=r&asid=1bc151430b53c85d758e9329f6ecf46a. Accessed 22 Nov. 2017.

Schizophrenia is classified as a psychotic disorder. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, in order to be diagnosed with schizophrenia, an individual must present two (or more) of the following symptoms for a significant portion of time during a one-month period: delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, catatonic behavior, or negative symptoms (such as diminished emotional expression or avolition). The DSM-5, however, has a continuum (schizophrenia spectrum) of disorders that may be similar to schizophrenia disorder but not as severe or persistent.

Like everything else, there is a romanticized idea of art. A balcony overlooking Los Angeles/ New York/ Italy/ France/ Greece. A misunderstood starving artist conveying their emotions by painting on a canvas. The underlying aspect is emotion. Art is a way to express emotions if you look at the work of Rene Magritte, Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso what you will see is subconscious emotions on a canvas. Art making is hypothesized to involve bilateral stimulation, engaging the integrating and planning functions of the prefrontal cortex to sequence narratives using left brain functions. Slowly evolving to being used by psychoanalysts and art therapy becoming a profession. This essay will show how art plays an important factor in psychological

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

Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder characterized by some, but not necessarily all, of the

Schizophrenia has no actual definition, but it describes a series of events and actions that a person ususally experiences. Schizophrenia is a psychosis. ( Smith, 1992, p.23-25 ) Psychosis describes a disorder where a group of mental disturbances happen. Schizophrenia is described to be a psychosis because it causes the victim to lose the ability to be in touch with society and its functions. For example, a person may begin to "see" animals that are not there, or may begin to characterize themselves as a famous person from the past such as Queen Elizabeth or King Edward. ( Kvarnes, Parloff, 1983, p.220-223)

Schizophrenia is heterogeneous psychological disorder, involving a range of cognitive, behavioural, and emotional dysfunctions. Within the disorder degrees of severity may range, and no single symptom is pathognomonic of the disorder.

Schizophrenia is a mental illness that affects one percent of the world’s population. Schizophrenia is describes as an illness characterized by psychotic symptoms and significant interpersonal dysfunction that lasts for at least six months. Psychotic refers to symptoms that reveal a destruction in a person’s inability to comprehend

perceives, feels, and acts. Signs of schizophrenia generally begins between adolescence and middle age adulthood. According to Robins, & Regier(1991)

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.