“Just when you thought it was safe to go back to the water
Those problems seem to arise, the ones you never really thought of.
The feeling you get is similar to something like drowning,
Out of your mind, you’re out of your depth,
You should have taken soundings
Clutching at straws, we’re clutching at straws
We’re still drowning
Clutching at straws
Still drowning…”

I remember buying that CD, Clutching at Straws by Marillion, the day it came out in 1987, and listening to it three times before I went out to see some friends that evening. I was in such a bad mood, so depressed, they told me never to listen to the album again if it made me feel that bad! 

As you can tell by the lyrics, it’s not a cheerful song. None of the songs on the album are cheerful.

At our most recent bipolar meeting, the facilitators tried some music therapy. We played some music we’d found online designed to promote inner calm. I don’t know about the rest of the group, but I just found it faintly annoying and distracting. I wanted to concentrate on the discussion, but the plaintive flutes and panpipes kept getting in the way.

On the other hand, if I have a list of housework to get through, I’ll put on some upbeat rock music; the energy of the music seems to lift my energy levels too.

Perhaps there’s a time and place for music. I recently went to an Epiphany service at St John’s Chapel in Cambridge. Their choir is superb and the music sublime. I came out uplifted and perfectly at peace, but then, that’s what I’d gone there for.

Music therapy is supposed to promote relaxation, release emotions and boost cognitive skills. I wonder if it does. I suppose it depends on the music and the therapist.

Have any of you tried music therapy? What results did you see – or hear, I suppose? How would you say the music therapy differed from just listening to upbeat or peaceful music in the ordinary way? I’m sure music therapy is much more complex than I’m giving it credit for.

I do believe in the power of music to affect emotions, but I don’t think it’s as simple as putting on some happy pop songs to cheer ourselves up. When feeling depressed, happy music can just irritate. On the other hand, sad songs can bring one down further.

Maybe the annoying panpipes might just strike the right note after all. What do you think?

Mary

A Moodscope member