What if the simple rhyme and rhythm of a poem, the beauty it illustrates through its sound, could heal the sick? Is it simply in the mind, where the patient thinks they are healed by the words, or is it a physical treatment? It is heard of that mentally ill and even physically ill patients listen to words, and they are healed or in a healthier state of mind. It was written that “Poetry has an element, euphony, giving the poem an aesthetic, pleasing tone” (poetry.org). But can poetry be therapy? What is therapy? In an article written for the Psychiatric Centers Information Network, Perie J. Longo tells us; "The word therapy, after all, comes from the Greek word therapeia meaning to nurse or cure through dance, song, poem and drama". But the question really is, does poetry or can it actually cure an illness? What is in poetry that has the ability to “cure” a patient?
Poetry
From the Ancient Greek word poieo, meaning “I create”, poetry is, what is said to be, the most linguistic art form known to mankind over the years. Poetry, as the dictionary states, is a literary work in which special intensity is given to the expression of feelings and ideas by the use of distinctive style and rhyme. Poetry has made its mark on modern European languages in its most relative element-rhyme. Although rhyme did not make its way into classic Greek or Latin poetry until the late Middle Ages, along with many other literary devices, such as alliteration, and assonance has made poetry a sound of music to readers. Some say poetry is merely words on a page, but to others, it is an art form, an illustration of someone’s life, someone’s feelings, and an emotion given away through words in hopes that someone else might find serenity.
“What is generall...
... middle of paper ...
...poetry, the psychiatrist must have expertise in linking patient to a poem. If the wrong poem is drawn there is a possibility that the interpretation could be detrimental to the process of healing. The link between poetry and therapy dates all the way back to 1751 when Dr. Benjamin Rush used poetry in the method of his patients expressing their inner thoughts. Even further back to B.C., era in Egypt, people thought that writing the words of poetry on paper that could be ingested would cure the illness, and it was also believed that the words of poetry chanted would protect and keep the wellness of the tribe. Poetic therapy is still acknowledged today, and illustrated by Robert Carroll, still used in today’s society. Poetry has been fused with psychological therapy to heal the mentally ill people of this world.
” (National Association of Poetry) introduced writing
Poetry is its own solid object” (Bad Poem, Great Song). To some, the dilemma is cut and dry, songs just can’t be poetry.
Drawings and other self-generated forms of visual art produced by people suffering from mental illness sparked the interest of psychiatrists around the end of the 19th century. They were considered “outpourings of the mind in turmoil” (Rubin 6). Fascinated by these samples of artwork, psychiatrists began to study them in an attempt to better understand the creator and the illness. Art therapy is a fluid, adaptable and evolving field. Today art therapists employ a variety of methods and work in a variety of rehabilitation settings, but the focus of this paper is the use and benefits of visual art therapy in correctional settings. Unfortunately, there has been little research to measure the effectiveness of art therapy in prison. Researchers are still in the early stages of understanding what art therapy does, how it does this, and why it is effective. Through art therapy programs, prisoners are able to more fully come to know themselves and are therefore fore able to authentically participate in life and community as well as develop an ongoing motivation towards recovery.
The mentally ill often live in darkness, however there can be a mask, covering any sign of weakness. That mask comes in many forms but there is not one which sticks out like creativity. Poets, artists, musicians and writers everywhere have been found to suffer from various mental illnesses. Even world known stars struggle with something so intense. Amy Winehouse was a woman on a mountain of success, from a beautiful voice to numerous Grammy Award’s, but somehow it could all hide her underlying downfall. The life of Amy Winehouse was spent battling manic depression and addiction, but somewhere in all the darkness, she found a light in her world through music.
In today’s modern view, poetry has become more than just paragraphs that rhyme at the end of each sentence. If the reader has an open mind and the ability to read in between the lines, they discover more than they have bargained for. Some poems might have stories of suffering or abuse, while others contain happy times and great joy. Regardless of what the poems contains, all poems display an expression. That very moment when the writer begins his mental journey with that pen and paper is where all feelings are let out. As poetry is continues to be written, the reader begins to see patterns within each poem. On the other hand, poems have nothing at all in common with one another. A good example of this is in two poems by a famous writer by the name of Langston Hughes. A well-known writer that still gets credit today for pomes like “ Theme for English B” and “Let American be American Again.”
One of the most memorable experiences I had last summer was visiting the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore, Maryland. (3)At this museum, professional artists had created none of the works hanging on the walls. Visionary art is an individualized expression by people with little or no formal training; the rules of art as a school did not apply here. While I was there, I learned that for many years, the artwork created by patients of mental institutions, hospitals, and nursing homes were disregarded and destroyed by their caretakers. After seeing what powerful and telling work came from many people in these situations, I found this information to be very distressing. Fortunately, the development of art as a form of therapy has changed the medical attitude toward art created by the healing in the past fifty years. While the work created through this therapy is rarely showcased as at the American Visionary, it is aiding therapists and their clients in reaching a new awareness.
Edgar Allan Poe once said, “I would define, in brief, the poetry of words as the rhythmical creation of Beauty”("BrainyQuote"). Poe has been known for his fantastic and eerie short stories, but he also wrote poetry. In fact, it was poetry that started his career. Throughout Poe’s life, poetry was a big part of him, and with his passion he created great works like “The Raven”. With Poe’s life story, poetic vision, and great poems, he has changed the literary world forever.
My vision of Art Therapy was very vague. I always thought art therapy was a form of therapy for distressed or abused children trying to tell a story through pictures or drawings. The American Art Therapy Association defines art therapy as a mental health profession that uses the creative process of art making to improve and enhance the physical, mental, and emotional well being of individuals of all ages. Art therapy is a form psychotherapy that has been practiced for over sixty years and it has been promoted as a means of helping people who find it difficult to express themselves verbally (Crawford, et al., 2010). Art therapy sessions usually start with a form of relaxation such as deep breathing , progressive muscle relaxation, or setting an intention for the session ahead (Hart, 2010). Art therapy is used for several different types of people with diverse illnesses such as: Autism Spectrum Disorder, people living with HIV/AIDS, mental disorders and even Cancer. Studies show that art therapy can lead to increased self awareness of self, as well as improved ability to cope with symptoms, stress, and traumatic experiences (American Art Therapy Association). This form of therapy helps these patients express positive feelings that may not be easy to access in the midst of a fear provoking experience (Hart, 2010). Art therapy help people to identify their feelings, and resolve the issues associated with their illness. Although, my lack of knowledge on this therapeu...
For some individuals, poetry is a form of freedom and expression. It is one of the many creative ways to release feelings of anger and happiness from the human mind. The intensity of every rhythm and word, and style of each poem allows readers to uncover deeper significance to the context. The rich variety achieved by mixing a combination of human imagination and reality to tell a story with deeper meaning is remarkable. This concept of combining poems and human imagination together was popularized by Edgar Allan Poe. Living an impoverished life, Poe penned stories of horror and mystery into collections of poems and short stories. He expressed his thoughts on paper with great thrill and excitement. Known for his wild imagination that included suspenseful, dark tales, he posed as a literary figure and inspired many across the world.
Art therapy is well known in the therapeutic field but not very well known amongst adolescents and adults, my job is to inform people who are unaware. In many cases art therapy can be used with other psychotherapy techniques such as group therapy or cognitive behavioral therapy, it is a very diverse field when it comes to its range of limits. Not everyone can creatively suspect the act of art would help their mental state of mind but art therapists were put here to prove those people wrong. Through the findings of my research I have found interesting and important reasons why one might become an active art therapist, and discovered the therapeutic process of how to diagnose and treat their patients. My curiosities also lead me to wonder when art therapy originated, which I found dated back all the way to the 1940’s by a woman named Margaret Nawmburg. By researching art therapy it taught me the real importance of an art therapist job and how their service helps ones in need.
Many great literary and artistic geniuses have been troubled with deep depression and mental illness. Anne Sexton is an example of a poet with such problems who used her personal despair to inspire her poetic works. Not all of Sexton's work is based solely on her mental health; but a good portion of her work is influenced by her constant bouts with depression. As she struggled to deal with her own marital infidelity and the problems associated with being a female poet in a male dominated genre, she combined the theme of depression with one based on the roles of women in society. In turn, she gained a wider audience and received recognition for her work. But all the fame and fortune were not enough to compete with her lack of mental stability.
When reading or listening to poetry, the main objective for me is to feel moved. Happiness, longing, sadness are some of the feelings that can be achieved just by listening to others’ words. It is within these words that creates another world, or separates us from our own. Words all have a certain kind of attachment to them, so if used properly an author can stimulate a reader beyond belief.
To be able to understand this healing process better, it is important to comprehend what art therapy is. Although the title might be misconstrued and hard to define, art therapy is used in many practices to benefit mental and physical rehabilitation. Even though the professional view in art therapy is new, the thought of using art therapy as an alternative healing method is old (Malchiodi 978). Namburg defines art therapy by claiming how it “bases its methods on releasing the unconscious by means of spontaneous art expression…”(qtd. in Ulman 40.1). In other words, although we don’t have the means to communicate well when confronted with delicate discussions, our subconscious could use art as means to show hidden emotion that could not be expressed verbally. Bethli believes art therapy contrasts from any other form of creative therapy such as dance and music; art stays visible.(Carrigan 32). Which also allows one to refer back to their previous works as a therapeutic exercise.
Art Therapy is defined by the American Art Therapy Association, as “the therapeutic use of art, within a professional relationship, by people who experience illness, trauma, or disabilities, and are seeking personal development.” This process uses art media, images, and performances to enhance the patient’s abilities, personality, and quality of life. Patients who use art as a therapeutic device engage in creative outlets which allow them to gain emotional healing and relief from stressful and terminal diseases or disabilities (Benefits, 1). Art Therapy is practiced in mental health, rehabilitation, medical, educational and forensic institutions. This treatment also has a variety of clientele, and formats, such as: individuals, couples, family, and group therapy. Creating, viewing, and talking about art, provides a way for people to cope with emotional conflicts and increase self-awareness (History, 1). The ability to create or interpret art provides the patient the proper format to express unspoken and often unconscious concerns about their misfortunes. Coupled with medical treatment, Art Therapy provides emotional support and stability for many people throughout the world. Although it is a growing field, with 34 master’s programs approved by the American Art Therapy Association in universities throughout the United States, Art Therapy departments and therapists are continuously shown a lack of appreciation and support. Other than the actual patients and their loved ones, successes shown within this form of treatment are relatively unheard of by the general public. The significance that Art Therapy has in the medical world should be known because is completely safe, without side effects and incredibly important to many people (Ar...
There are many different kind of expressive art therapy applied in mental health setting. According to Malchiodi (2005), expressive art therapy includes the use of “art/ music, dance/movement, drama, poetry/creative writing, play, and sand-tray within the context of psychotherapy, counselling, rehabilitation, or health care” (p. 2). Art therapists support clients through using different media or materials to express and reflect on their different intrinsic dynamic (Knill, Barba, & Fuchs, 1995) that could not be easily articulated by words.