Music therapy uses music-related activities to help meet your physical, mental, or social needs. Although music therapy alone isn’t enough to treat bipolar disorder, it may have benefits when combined with other treatments, such as medication and psychotherapy.
Making or listening to music stimulates parts of your brain involved in thinking, feeling, and movement. It causes your body to release brain chemicals that evoke emotions and promote social bonds.
Although more research is needed on music therapy for bipolar disorder,
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Music therapy may help reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, or depression while providing opportunities for social interaction and connection.
Read on to learn more about the potential benefits of music therapy.
Music therapy may include a combination of activities, such as:
- listening to music
- attending musical performances
- singing or playing music
- songwriting
A music therapist may ask you to reflect on how a piece of music affects you. They may also ask you to use music to explore or communicate your thoughts, feelings, or experiences.
Music therapy may also incorporate elements of dance or other physical activities.
You may work one-on-one with a music therapist or attend group music therapy sessions.
More research on music therapy for bipolar disorder is needed. Although multiple studies have examined music therapy for treating mental health conditions, few have focused on bipolar disorder.
According to a 2021 review, some evidence suggests that music therapy may help reduce anxiety and improve general well-being in people with bipolar disorder. Music therapy may also provide opportunities for people who are receiving treatment for bipolar disorder to interact and socialize with each other.
A 2016 study found that people with bipolar disorder experienced more complex negative emotions than people without bipolar disorder when listening to music.
Feeling complex negative emotions in response to music may be uncomfortable, but it may also provide helpful opportunities to learn more about your emotions.
Consider talking with your doctor to learn more about the potential benefits and risks of music therapy for bipolar disorder.
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- stress
- anxiety
- depression
- chronic pain
- poor quality sleep
Learn more about the potential benefits of music therapy for specific conditions below.
Depression and anxiety
A 2021 review found that music therapy may help reduce symptoms of anxiety, but more research is needed to learn how long the improvements last.
In a 2020 review of music therapy for depression, adding music therapy to standard treatments for depression helped reduce symptoms of anxiety. Standard treatments for depression include medication and psychotherapy.
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Post-traumatic stress disorder
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Music therapy may also help people with PTSD build more resilience and social connections.
Schizophrenia
A 2024 review found that music therapy for schizophrenia may help support cognitive functions, such as:
- attention skills
- language skills
- memory
Music therapy may also help people with schizophrenia:
- reduce negative emotions
- enhance social skills
- build motivation to get treatment
Neurological conditions
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Some studies suggest that music-based movement therapies may also improve gait, which is how a person walks.
If you’re interested in trying music therapy, consider asking your doctor for a referral to a music therapist.
You can also use the American Music Therapy Association’s online directory to search for a music therapist.
More research is needed on the specific benefits and risks of music therapy for bipolar disorder. You might find it reduces symptoms of stress, anxiety, or depression.
Exploring your responses to music might help you learn more about your emotions. Taking part in music therapy may also provide opportunities to connect and socialize with others.
Consider talking with your doctor to learn more about music therapy’s potential benefits and risks.
Consider asking them for a referral or searching online for a music therapist near you.