Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and Music Therapy

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly studied and diagnosed psychiatric disorder in children and adolescents, with significant problems of attention and/or hyperactivity and acting impulsively that are not appropriate for a person's age.
About 30 to 50 percent of people diagnosed in childhood continue to have symptoms into adulthood.

The shocking fact is that, according to one article by NaturalNews.com, the percentage of kids who combat the symptoms of this condition with moderate doses of prescription drugs is rising to 84%.  However, since long term effects of medications are not clear, they are not recommended in preschool aged children.




                                                
Parents of a child with ADHD though should be aware that alternative treatments can provide great benefits. One of these alternatives is music therapy.

Music therapy has long been used to help people with conditions such as depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder. Music therapy also has been shown to significantly improve ADHD symptoms and is being used more frequently these last decades. 

According to Dr. Oliver Sacks, M.D. a physician, best-selling author, and professor of neurology at the NYU School of Medicine  "Nothing activates the brain so extensively as music." 
The most important thing is that for music therapy, musical talent is not necessary nor is one musical style more therapeutic than another. Music therapy may involve listening to and creating music, playing amid pre-recorded music, and even composing music, or writing song lyrics.

“Music is an age-old way to heal, and it works exceedingly well for children with ADHD,” says Doris Jeanette, PsyD, a psychologist in Philadelphia. “Music reduces the anxiety you have in your body, and when you’re talking about kids with ADHD symptoms, all they have is anxiety.”
Music is rhythm, rhythm is structure, and structure is what an ADHD brain needs in order to regulate itself and stay on a linear path.

Kirsten Hutchison, who is a music therapist at Music Works Northwest (nonprofit community music school near Seattle) says "Music exists in time, with a clear beginning, middle, and end. That structure helps an ADHD child plan, anticipate, and react".

If you think your child could benefit from music therapy, talk to his teachers and therapists and add some music to your child’s world. Music is a spirit healer after all!


sources:
http://www.rd.com/health/conditions/adhd-and-music-therapy/#ixzz2g6eJy0cI
http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/9558.html
http://www.rd.com/health/conditions/adhd-and-music-therapy/#ixzz2g6D8fZky
http://voices.yahoo.com/top-facts-prove-music-therapy-helps-adhd-12170038.html
http://www.everydayhealth.com/add-adhd/music-therapy-for-children-with-adhd.aspx

Music for Pain Relief

We all know that music is something that people really enjoy and has the ability to affect our mood. But not everyone knows that music has pain-relieving benefits.

According to the Journal of Pain, a new study finds that participants who concentrate on songs while receiving safe electric shocks cut pain levels by 17 percent overall, and it’s twice as effective at slashing pain levels for highly anxious types as compared to their less-anxious counterparts.

How does that happen? Many of the same brain pathways that process music also process pain. Focusing on music engages your mind and triggers emotional responses to compete with pain pathways so you have less resources leftover to process aches.

Which type of music is the best for pain relief? Lead study author David Bradshaw, Ph.D., of the Pain Research Center at the University of Utah says "The really important thing is that it's music you know well enough to follow and that can maintain your interest over time." So, now you know that your favorite music can be a great help while seating at your dentist's chair.

Moreover, studies show that playing music before, during and after medical procedures can reduce patient’s stress, blood pressure and more.

At the Chronic Pain Care Center at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, music therapy is a very important part of patient’s daily routine, who need to learn how to control their pain.
According to osteopathic physician Steven Stanos, medical director of the center “What we've learned from our pain patients is that any intervention that can be distracting, relaxing, and enjoyable — whether it's music or another therapy — can decrease the experience of pain,”


Sources:
http://www.mensfitness.com/leisure/entertainment/music-therapy-for-pain-...
http://www.brainfacts.org/sensing-thinking-behaving/senses-and-perceptio...

Help your kids to reach their goals.

I used to teach playing the drums to an eight-year-old boy who dreamt of becoming a zoo director, ever since visiting a zoo with his parents. The parents supported him in his objective, and he realized that he needed a good diploma (‘ in this case the German ‘Abitur’) to be able to study at a university. Since succeeding in high school is based on performing well on a continuous level, he began formulating specific aims as a young boy. The parents contributed to his general objective by visiting zoos during the holidays and meeting the director of the zoo or employees in order to gain an insight into their daily tasks and responsibilities.

Today he is 25 years old and about to complete his PhD thesis in Biology. His goal is within his grasp. His parents’ supported him in defining specific aims and discussing his broader objectives. This gave him the motivation and drive to succeed in reaching these step by step and to complete general goals (diploma, university degree). It is crucial to aid children in formulating their proper objectives by showing them some of the possibilities. For example, on trips, holidays, narrations or even TV documentaries. Once the child has defined a goal – no matter how absurd it might sound to the parents – they will start working towards this goal with great motivation. Now it is crucial for the parents to define specific and designated aims with the child in order to render learning in school positive.

The objectives of children usually change frequently. This is natural and generally beneficial: fireman – police officer – astronaut. This should be thought of as positive and never be criticized by the parents, even if they might consider these goals as unrealistic or futile. We have to give children the confidence that they can reach any goal in order to release their potential.    

“Argue for your limitations, and sure enough they‘re yours.” (Richard Bach)

Abstract of the book "Unleash the Secret of Education and learn how to raise a happy child" by Hans-Peter Becker.