Humans have developed artistic expression as a creative tool for problem-solving and adjusting to shifting circumstances. Many academics have argued that creating art is essential to human survival and functioning. As Picasso, one of the world’s most famous artists, said: “The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off of our souls”. Art therapy started as a personal activity and has, over time, developed into a professional therapeutic session.
Around the middle of the 20th century, professional art therapy emerged as a healing technique that encouraged individuals to express themselves through nonverbal ways, such as painting and drawing. To think of art in this meditative light we should look at it as a communicative method, meaning as a form of language as it allows people to story tell and express themselves, without using letters. Some people say that art is very effective in helping individuals with mental disorders such as depression or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
A 2013 case study by Military Medicine showed PTSD treatment for war-impacted veterans, using art. The study monitored a group of veterans who attended six weeks of art therapy sessions. The individuals’ pleasure, stress level, and capacity to manage PTSD symptoms all showed significant improvements.
Another study made by Professor David Gussak from Florida State University in 2007, revealed the direct impact of art and mental health by examining the ability of art in fostering psychological well-being and encouraging emotional expression. He concentrated particularly on art therapy, which employs the artistic process to address emotional and behavioural problems and enhance mental health.
In this 2007 case study, Gussak specifically looked at the efficacy of art therapy with prison inmates. He conducted an observational survey on inmates in northern Florida prisons and found that art therapy dramatically lessened depressive symptoms.
Collectively its visible how art is impactful directly on mental health and both the studies and observations mentioned above, prove the same.
Furthermore, this also confirms art as a language and therapeutic activity.
People who weren’t able to express themselves through spoken or written words relied on brushing their stress out instead.
Interestingly, this can also be thought of as an instinct for humans. If we take a look back in history the first form of communication was cave paintings. Similarly, kids at an early age start learning things by drawing, colouring and understanding colours and visual spacing before developing an understanding of words. This can explain the help that art therapy provides later in life as it comes as a natural comfort.
An article by the National Library of Medicinestates anxiety and mood disorders have greatly been tackled with the help of what many believe creative help or art therapy.
Lastly, the utilization of art therapy is not constrained by age, language, illnesses, or environment, and it is easy for anyone to embrace. It’s crucial to understand that anyone can try art therapy; you don’t need to be a gifted artist. Being genuine about oneself and your sentiments is all that is required to successfully finish an art therapy exercise because creativity is inbuilt in humans.
Experts and mental health professionals concur that art therapy offers several advantages, including elevating self-esteem, giving you a secure outlet for releasing emotions, giving you a feeling of command over your life, and assisting you in bettering your knowledge of and understanding of yourself.
Aryan Jha
Picture: Pexels, Claudia Barbosa