Create a picture of how you are feeling on this particular day, said the first exercise in the art therapy. After ten treatments the patients who suffered from severe or moderately severe depression had shown more improvement than the patients in the control group, shows research at Sahlgrenska academy.
“The conclusion is that it was the art therapy that facilitated their improvement”, says Christina Blomdahl, PhD at the institute of health and care sciences, licensed occupational therapist and art therapist.
As part of her dissertation she has allowed 43 patients with severe or moderately severe depression to undergo a manual-based art therapy that she has developed herself. The control group consisted of 36 people who all suffered from the same medical condition.
In parallel with this, all participants were given different combinations of medication, cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy and physical therapy. The majority of the participants were so affected by their depression that they were unable to work.
Several improvement steps
The individual art therapy took place in psychiatry or primary care and was conducted by a specially trained therapist. Each session began with a short briefing and a relaxation exercise. After that it was crayons, water colors and creation that was on the agenda, all based on a predetermined setup.
“They followed the manual I had created in order to ensure that it was scientific, but although everyone was given the same theme to go on the patients responded very differently to the exercises. The materials were simple, allowing people to doodle and feel free to express themselves the way they wanted to, and then they would talk about the picture and its significance to the participant”, explains Christina Blomdahl.
After ten hour-long treatment sessions the patients had improved on an average of almost five steps on a rating scale used for depression. A large leap that entails a considerable change to everyday life, and sometimes it may also mean that a patient is able to return to work.
Anxiety, sleep, ability to take initiative and emotional involvement are some of the factors that are assessed. In the control group that had not undergone art therapy there was no definite change.
Hopes for reinstatement
“The focal point was that people felt like they were meeting themselves; that the picture served as a mirror where you could see and make new discoveries about yourself, a bit like coming to life, says Christina Blomdahl.
“Even the people who did not experience any direct benefit from the treatment had shown improvement. Painting pictures based on themes and discussing the pictures with the therapist promotes self-reflection and brain stimulation that takes place outside of the conscious mind”, she continues.
“It is my hope that art therapy will be used in healthcare again. Based on evidence requirements it has been more or less scrapped by psychiatry, but this is one of the largest studies that has been conducted in this area and it is a step that may lead to more people being trained in it and the method being used again”, Christina Blomdahl concludes.
Learn more: Clear effect of art therapy on severe depression
The Latest on: Art therapy
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Art therapy” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
- Memories in the Making fundraiser featuring art by Alzheimer’s patients set for May 3on April 25, 2024 at 10:29 pm
The Alzheimer’s Association's annual fundraiser featuring watercolor paintings created by patients in art therapy will be held at Vibrant Arena on May 3 from 5:30 to 10 p.m.
- Anzac Day: War widow's art therapy a 'beacon' for young people with mental illnesson April 24, 2024 at 12:44 am
Sutherland Shire war widow Bree Till is using art therapy to "shine a beacon" for veterans and young people in a hospital acute mental health unit. Ms Till, whose husband Brett was killed in ...
- How To Become An Art Therapist: Requirements For Art Therapyon April 22, 2024 at 5:07 am
Through a series of educational experiences including a a bachelor’s in fine arts from Keystone College, followed by a master’s degree in art therapy from Marywood University with several ...
- Art therapy helps eliminate stigma, create 'threads of compassion'on April 22, 2024 at 2:14 am
Consider this Louisville mental health organization. Bridgehaven to host community art show to support patients and break down stigma.
- Mindful Colouring to Doodling: 5 powerful ‘art therapy’ exercises for relieving anxiety and depressionon April 19, 2024 at 7:42 pm
Feeling overwhelmed by anxiety or bogged down by depression? You're not alone. But there's a unique and creative outlet that can help: art therapy. Art therapy uses artistic expression to explore ...
- Lost for words? Research shows art therapy brings benefits for mental healthon April 14, 2024 at 5:17 pm
Studies suggest art therapy could support people with a range of physical health and, especially, mental health conditions. Lost for words?
- Group Art Therapy Helps Combat Low Morale Among Nurseson April 14, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Group-based art therapy through coloring intricate geometrical patterns was an innovative approach to help boost morale Something as seemingly simple as creating a group-based art therapy project ...
- Research shows art therapy brings benefits for mental healthon April 9, 2024 at 10:18 am
Creating art for healing purposes dates back tens of thousands of years, to the practices of First Nations people around the world. Art therapy uses creative processes, primarily visual art such as ...
- What Is Art Therapy?on April 8, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Art therapy is defined by the American Art Therapy Association as utilizing “active art-making, the creative process, and applied psychological theory—within a psychotherapeutic relationship ...
- Shannon Halligan on visual art therapyon April 3, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Adjust the colors to reduce glare and give your eyes a break. Use one of the services below to sign in to PBS: You've just tried to add this video to My List. But first, we need you to sign in to ...
via Google News and Bing News