How has music and singing benefitted my mental health, asks Nicole and answers here to the psychiatrist who posed the question.

Background

I have always loved music and I come from a musical family. My Dad has always loved music and listens regularly at home, in the car and when abroad. He always sang along to music he loves.  I grew up knowing some of his favourites the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Bob Seeger, Pete Seeger and Tamla Motown.

On family camping trips on the long journey in the car to the south of France everyone chose their own music to play. From an early age I had a portable radio and as a teen I had a walkman. (how technology has changed). While away I listened to French radio to improve not only my French, but to hear a different playlist of music and songs.

At my primary school I was auditioned for the school choir, but I failed the audition and was not allowed in. (All the rest of my friends passed and were allowed to sing in the school choir).

One of my memories was my friends diligently learning the lyrics to the pop 80s’ hit Fame by Irene Cara. The most exciting success the school choir had was when they won a competition and a prize to go on a boat on the Thames with Billy Joel.  

I was due to take part in the school’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat play,but I couldn’t because we were going on holiday. As a present, I received a cassette of this musical, and on holiday I played it over and over and began to learn the lyrics.

I always thought that I was unable to sing. My brother learnt and played the violin when he was young age. He read music and passed school of music exams. He also had an ability to pick out tunes on the piano.  I had some piano lessons, but I didn’t like practising the scales and the music I was learning.  So unfortunately I gave up.

Mental health and Bipolar Affective Disorder

All my life I have listened to music, including while revising for GCSE’s and A-levels and while studying at university.  When I became seriously ill and depressed, I didn’t want to listen to music I wasn’t able to concentrate or focus.

I have been admitted to hospital and sectioned many times. I have been diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder, and  as a result of this diagnosis I have spent,  sometimes

 months at a time in mental health hospitals in London –  Lambeth hospital, the Maudsley and Lewisham hospitals. I have been admitted for depressive and manic episodes, often after having been sectioned.

 My love of music increased while I was in hospital as there was literally nothing do on the wards.  It helped me because I could focus and concentrate on something else. It gave me pleasure, enjoyment and happiness.  I could escape the challenging, noisy and sometimes traumatic atmosphere of being in a locked mental health psychiatric ward. Why was I singing in hospital? I was bored, it was something to keep my mind occupied.  

Music therapy in mental health hospitals

I have attended different groups of music therapy in various wards and mental health units. These music therapy groups have differed from me being able to play a lot of different instruments, such as drums, to glockenspiels, and triangle. Or, in a group where we selected our favourite music on a phone and portable speaker. Or participating in karaoke sessions or singing with a microphone and band. These sessions I believe were important, but they only happened once a week, for only an hour at a time. Hospital wards are noisy and not particularly calming environments. For me, my lifeline was listening to the radio and to my own music. Basically you were bored in hospital.

These secure units were scary, terrifying places.  I have participated in art, music, exercise, cooking and sewing classes. As well as having petted cute little dogs to help calm oneself. I have had a foot massage, pedicure, manicure, baked scones and lemon drizzle cake, made smoothies, played table tennis, pool and basket ball.

This led me, after being discharged from hospitals to attending basket weaving, pottery, mosaics, and art classes.

A while ago my psychiatrist asked me what has helped me? What has been successful in gaining insight into my bipolar and feeling well and stable?

There are numerous factors, which I have identified, which have made an impact and improved my mental health over time.  Having employment –  I volunteer for Cancer Research and I am a retail assistant in a charity shop, which has given me a routine and regular commitment and structure to my working week. This has given me goals and aspirations.  I am helping to raise money for funding cancer research, which has become dear to my heart as I have suffered and was diagnosed with breast cancer in September 2021  and underwent surgery (lumpectomy) in October 2021, started chemotherapy in November 2021 and radiotherapy in March 2022.  I have just swam 5km in the annual Swimathon and raised money for cancer research. 

· Therapy

I have had therapy, Cognitive behavioural therapy, Mindfulness, and I have worked on finding triggers and understanding why I have had manic or depressive episodes. I have attended courses on Mindfulness. I have also attended monthly bipolar meetings in central London.

· Exercise

Exercise is incredibly important.  First, because if you have been admitted to a mental health unit for a period of time, one is given medication to help with your condition, but the majority of these medications and drugs make you feel hungry and make you put on weight. Also there is not much to do when you have been sectioned, except eat the regular meals of breakfast, lunch, dinner and supper.

I love to swim and and enjoy walking in the parks in London and  enjoy nature, appreciating the four seasons and having a goal to keep losing weight.

· Creativity

I am also creative, I enjoy journalling how I am feeling.  I also paint using oil pastels flowers and fauna.

• Friends and family
• I have had friends and a loving family, who have always visited me in hospital during traumatic manic and depressive episodes.

· Cultural activities and hobbies

I have found pleasure and enjoyment in art, music, literature, and having being able to enjoy cultural activities

· Languages

I have studied French and Spanish and I enjoy the cognitive process of being able to converse with people in another language.

· Volunteering positions

Over the years I have volunteered at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, Morden Hall Park, the Horniman Museum and the South London Botanical Institute.

· Care in the Community

I have an excellent psychiatrist, and luckily, at the moment, I am being seen in a specialised bipolar unit, but I have had a long list and numerous care co-ordianators over the years. Mostly, there is not any continuity of care.

Research has shown that music has a vast healing and therapeutic power:

· Music Improves memory

· Up tempo music improves the intensity  of exercise and workouts

· Listening to music releases endorphins in the brain

· Listening to slow calming music, bodies relax

· Music reduces stress and eases anxiety

· Music improves sleep quality

· Music can help pain relief

· Playing music and listening to music gives a work out on your brain

· In retail,  playing music has had an effect on consumer behaviour.

For me, music, brings people together and releases endorphins of happiness. As a result, I am able to practice self care and therapeutic activities and hobbies. My own music therapy has been, listening to new music on the radio and learning lyrics, which has given me pleasure and enjoyment, concentration, focus, calmness and has reduced my stress levels. I have also just joined a pop choir, which unites and connects communities and brings together our unique voices and harmonies as one.

Name has been changed.