Music may not be a prescription, but maybe it’s time. Music can make a big difference to what drugs can’t really solve: the so-called negative symptoms of schizophrenia, according to a recent review. These include, for example, lack of motivation, isolation or avoidance of social situations – in other words, when the patient simply “retreats into his or her own world”.
The psychiatrist who presented the study, Amy Agrawal, is not only a doctor but also a music lover whose own brother lives with schizophrenia. In one memorable moment, when her sister was distracted in a restaurant, singing an old concert song magically brought her back to the present – smiling, relaxed, connected.
Music is not just “background noise” on the wards: patients start talking, opening up, telling their feelings and even dancing. Patients who had previously been withdrawn suddenly feel a sense of community, laugh together and often feel more involved in their therapy. Making music in a group is like a common language that everyone understands – even if it’s hard to put into words what’s going on inside them.
While it’s not yet clear which style of music works best, according to the review (although don’t be surprised if a disco ball comes up in a session), it’s clear that music helps regulate mood, alleviate sleep problems and can also improve everyday functioning – such as work performance.
Even if there are barriers to introduction in hospitals – few trained music therapists, tight daily schedules – incorporating these forms of therapy can make a difference in the long term. And not just for people with schizophrenia: music touches almost everyone.
So the next time you’re having a tough day, don’t just reach for coffee – you can reach for a favourite song. It might just be the one that brings you back to yourself.
