Anxiety Music Therapy: What It Is, Types, & Benefits

What Is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a natural emotional response characterized by feelings of apprehension, unease, and worry. While occasional anxiety is a normal part of life, an anxiety disorder involves persistent and excessive levels of anxiety that can interfere with daily functioning. It’s marked by a range of physical, cognitive, and emotional symptoms. The impact of anxiety disorders can be debilitating, affecting various aspects of a person’s life, from personal relationships to professional endeavors.

Most people have anxiety from time to time, and anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health disorders. According to global statistics, around 301 million people of all ages experience an anxiety disorder.¹ This widespread condition doesn’t discriminate; it affects individuals across diverse age groups, genders, and cultural backgrounds. This prevalence underscores the pervasive nature of anxiety as a mental health challenge. It transcends demographics, impacting people regardless of age, gender, or cultural background. From students facing academic pressures to professionals dealing with workplace stress, anxiety’s reach is broad, making it essential to understand its symptoms and seek appropriate support.

Common symptoms of anxiety include:

• Racing heart
• Racing thoughts
• Muscle tension
• Sweating
• Irritability
• Restlessness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Sleep disturbances
• Excessive worrying
• Nausea

What Is Anxiety Music Therapy?

Anxiety music therapy is a targeted approach that harnesses the potent impact of music on the human psyche to alleviate the symptoms of anxiety. Anxiety music therapy can be beneficial for people who have an anxiety disorder, and also for people who experience occasional feelings of anxiety. It involves the careful selection and composition of music that resonates with individual preferences and emotional states, effectively creating a tailored auditory experience. Through specialized techniques, such as rhythm regulation, harmonic progression, and tempo manipulation, anxiety music therapists aim to induce a sense of calm, relaxation, and emotional balance. It assists with bringing unconscious material to awareness.²

The therapeutic process of anxiety music therapy involves active engagement with the chosen music, often coupled with breathing exercises and mindfulness techniques. This multi-sensory approach capitalizes on music’s ability to influence heart rate, breathing patterns, and overall emotional responses, thus decreasing anxiety symptoms. By intertwining the physiological and psychological aspects of anxiety, this therapeutic modality offers individuals a unique and accessible pathway to manage their symptoms, promoting a state of tranquility amidst life’s pressures.

Anxiety Music Therapy History

The first documented mention of music therapy emerged in 1789 within an anonymous piece featured in the Columbian Magazine under the title “Music Examined from a Physical Perspective.”³ However, the concept of using music as a therapeutic medium dates back to ancient times, with roots extending at least as far as the writings of Aristotle and Plato.⁴ Ancient civilizations recognized music’s potential to impact emotions and mental states, leading it to be used in rituals and healing ceremonies for Greeks, Egyptians, and Native American tribes.

Formal development of music therapy as a therapeutic discipline gained momentum in the 20th century, largely in thanks to pioneering figures like Eva Augusta Vescelius and E. Thayer Gaston. Vescelius, an American music educator, introduced the concept of “music as therapy” in the early 1900s, focusing on its use to address emotional and behavioral issues. Gaston, a psychiatrist, further advanced the practice by integrating music into clinical settings, contributing significantly to the establishment of music therapy as a profession.³

How Does Music Therapy for Anxiety Work?

Music therapy for anxiety treatment operates by engaging the brain’s intricate network of emotional and sensory pathways. When individuals are exposed to soothing melodies and rhythmic patterns, their brains respond by releasing neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin. Neurochemicals play a pivotal role in promoting relaxation and reducing stress, contributing to a noticeable decrease in heart rate and blood pressure. Music therapy can exert its influence on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, a fundamental component of the body’s stress response system.⁵ This effect can potentially lead to a decrease in the levels of stress hormones, including cortisol, contributing further to a sense of tranquility and emotional well-being.

Different music genres offer unique benefits.⁶ There have been some studies aimed at determining if certain types of music increase the likelihood of criminal behavior or other types of music-induced harm.^{7, 8} Slower-tempo, harmonious genres like classical, ambient, and nature-inspired music are effective for reducing anxiety. Personal preferences also matter, as music that resonates emotionally can have a stronger therapeutic effect on each individual.

Benefits of Anxiety Music Therapy

Anxiety music therapy offers a range of benefits that make it an appealing and accessible approach for managing anxiety. Its non-invasive nature makes it particularly attractive for individuals who might be hesitant about traditional therapeutic methods. Iit’s a versatile tool, adaptable to various age groups and cultural backgrounds, providing a universal means of support. While its effects vary from person to person, research suggests that people with heightened emotional sensitivity or those who find it challenging to express their feelings verbally may derive even more substantial benefits from this form of therapy.

The potency of anxiety music therapy primarily lies in the melodies and rhythms of the music itself rather than its lyrics. Melodic and rhythmic patterns directly engage the brain’s emotional centers, evoking responses that can lead to relaxation and emotional regulation. While lyrics can certainly have a positive impact, it’s the intricate interplay of musical elements that elicits the therapeutic effects. This underscores the universality of the approach, as the emotional and physiological responses to music are cross-cultural and deeply ingrained in human nature.

Some documented benefits of anxiety music therapy include:

1. Music calms your nervous system: Music possesses a unique ability to soothe the nervous system and offer profound benefits to individuals grappling with anxiety. When carefully chosen and crafted, melodies and rhythms can engage the parasympathetic nervous system, triggering the relaxation response. This leads to decreased heart rate, slower breathing, and reduced muscle tension.⁵
2. Emotional resonance: Music taps into emotions, aiding expression and processing of complex feelings.
3. Stress reduction: Engaging melodies divert focus from stressors, aiding in stress reduction.
4. Enhanced coping: Music offers a healthier coping mechanism, potentially reducing reliance on maladaptive strategies.
5. Mindfulness promotion: Music’s immersive quality fosters mindfulness, redirecting attention from anxious thoughts. Music anchors attention to the present moment, disengaging from past regrets and future worries.
6. Social connection: Group music therapy cultivates a sense of belonging and connection among participants. Shared musical experiences create bonds, reducing feelings of isolation
7. Distraction technique: Engrossing melodies can divert attention from distressing thoughts.
8. Cognitive shift: Music prompts positive cognitive shifts, reframing perspectives and reducing negativity.
9. Arousal regulation: Music’s tempo modulation can help regulate arousal levels, managing anxiety symptoms.
10. Empowerment: Participation in music creation empowers individuals, fostering a sense of control over their emotional experiences.
11. Lowered stress hormones: Music therapy has been shown to reduce the levels of stress hormones like cortisol, promoting a more relaxed and balanced physiological state.⁹
12. Decreased blood pressure: Engaging with music therapy has the potential to lead to decreased blood pressure, contributing to improved cardiovascular health and overall well-being.⁹
13. Improving quality of sleep: Music therapy can have a positive impact on sleep patterns by promoting relaxation and reducing anxiety, resulting in more restful and rejuvenating sleep.⁹
14. Reducing symptoms of anxiety: Music therapy is effective in alleviating symptoms of anxiety, such as excessive worry, restlessness, and tension, by providing a calming and soothing influence on the mind and body.⁹
15. Reducing symptoms of depression: Engaging in music therapy can help reduce symptoms of depression, including feelings of sadness and hopelessness, by enhancing mood and fostering a sense of emotional well-being.

How to Find a Therapist for Anxiety Music Therapy

Utilizing online resources can help you find a skilled therapist who can guide you through the transformative journey of anxiety music therapy. To find a therapist specializing in music therapy for anxiety, start by checking out an online therapist directory. Here, you can utilize search filters to help you narrow down therapists with expertise in anxiety and music therapy. Start by entering your location and selecting “music therapy” as a treatment approach. Browse through profiles to find therapists who resonate with your preferences and needs.

Once you’ve identified potential therapists, take time to read their profiles, including their qualifications, approaches, and any reviews from previous clients. Some therapists may provide detailed information about their experience with anxiety music therapy. It’s also a good idea to contact therapists directly with any questions you may have to ensure their expertise aligns with your goals. By utilizing these online resources, you can find a skilled therapist who can guide you through the transformative journey of anxiety music therapy.

In My Experience

As an art therapist who prefers using creativity as a therapeutic intervention, I’ve seen music combat anxiety time-and-time again. Music taps into the intricate workings of our emotions and minds through the harmonious interplay of melodies and rhythms. Without us even knowing so, it triggers the release of calming neurotransmitters, providing a tangible sense of calm and relief. The versatility of music therapy, encompassing genres from classical elegance to the raw energy of rock, offers a diverse toolkit for anxiety management – making it beneficial for people of all ages and backgrounds. Beyond the scientific benefits like lowered heart rates and stress hormone regulation, it fosters a deeply personal and emotionally resonant experience. In this creative therapeutic journey, music becomes a powerful tool, allowing individuals to paint their own path towards tranquility, emphasizing that within the realm of creative therapy, sound offers limitless potential for healing.