Hope through Art for Memory Disorders

26/02/2020

Third Edtion: The Handbook of Art Therapy
By Caroline Case & Tessa Dalley
Book Recommendation!

The authors of this book are both experienced in the practice and supervision of art therapy. This book goes into depth about art therapy as an overall form of treatment and how it can help people.

This is a significant source (and book in general) because it gives a detailed and experienced perspective on how art therapy works. This knowledge can show that it is beneficial to anyone who participates. Awareness is the first step in any success.

Although art therapy can help anyone, whether they are healthy or have any type of (mood, personality, behavioral, or physical) disorder, it is especially beneficial for those with memory disorders. This is due to the many benefits that art therapy brings and how it can decrease all emotional, physical, behavioral, and mental symptoms that are all present (in a memory disorder). Memory disorders affect all aspects of that individual's life, and it is essential to prioritize increasing the quality of life for them.

E-book PDF link:
fil:///C:/Users/Admin/Downloads/9781315779799_googlepreview.pdf

Picture: pexels.com

26/02/2020

Behavioral Benefits

Memory disorders can distort the world in disorienting ways, and frequently, this can cause behavioral issues that are usually unknown to that individual suffering from it. Art therapy, however, can positively impact the way we perceive the world and how our actions will affect it. This source talks about the ways that art therapy can improve behavioral tendencies.

Art therapy improves communication skills, which are vital when you interact with the people around you. Without the ability to communicate, it can cause feelings of frustration and even loneliness. Especially when considering these disorders can decrease the ability to verbally communicate.

Furthermore, this treatment allows the expression of difficult emotions, a
distraction from unpleasant symptoms, and brings a sense of hope and of a supportive environment. Therefore, it can open doors to reason and understanding that would be lost within the memory disorder without this form of deep self-expression.

Sources:
https://elevationbehavioralhealth.com/9-benefits-art-therapy/
https://go.gale.com/ps/anonymous?id=GALE%7CA99907667&sid=googleScholar&v=2.1&it=r&linkaccess=abs&issn=10638490&p=HRCA&sw=w

Book Source Title: Advances in Art Therapy
edited by Harriet Wadeson, Jean Durkin, Dorine
(Online Access: https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=Vk2Vq-KuQjkC&oi=fnd&pg=PA204&dq=art+therapy+and+memory+disorders+&ots=QiGKM9kytI&sig=mL4o8eFs21z59-IEKpyhDs3UhWI =onepage&q=art%20therapy%20and%20memory%20disorders&f=false)

Picture: Art piece and photograph by Raven Carrethers

26/02/2020

Different Mediums

What does the term "medium" mean in the art world? This term refers to the different ways that art can be made. For example, there are different types of paints, sculpture materials, drawing utensils, and chalks/pastels. And that is only the beginning of all the types of materials and techniques that can go into art.

Art opens a world of imagination, creativity, and self-expression. This link between the inner person and the visional world can create a numerous amount of benefits. However, before you can benefit from art, you have to create art. And no two artists are the same. Every artist creates in their own style with their own art medium of their choice. One of the importance of art therapists is they help their clients find the forms of art they connect with the most. This is vital because forcing yourself to participate in a type of art you do not connect with can be frustrating and even confusing. Although having a professional present different forms of art so you can make this process exciting, eye-opening, and self-fulfilling. Find the artist in yourself and battling a memory disorder can be just a little bit easier.

Find an art therapist near you:
https://arttherapy.org/art-therapist-locator/
https://www.atcb.org/Home/FindACredentialedArtTherapist
(With art therapy becoming a growing form of treatment, also look in your local area at art galleries, therapy resources, or talk to your mental health professionals about how to find one).

Sources:
https://arttherapyresources.com.au/8-types-art-therapy-help-clients/
https://segmation.wordpress.com/2011/06/29/discover-the-artist-in-you/
https://www.everydayhealth.com/alzheimers/alzheimers-art-therapy.aspx
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0208716

Pictures: from source link 1 and pexels.com

26/02/2020

Aiding Physical Well-being
(Synthesis 3)

Although it is quite simple to see the countless emotional benefits of art therapy, some may question the depth of the physical benefits.

Art therapy requires participation in the creation of art. Art itself is physical and visional expression through aesthetic objects (Definition closely inspired by source 2). A few examples would be canvas and paint or molding of clay. This requires muscular focus and hand to eye coordination. These skills alone can be considerably challenging for anyone with cognitive function difficulties, such as those with memory disorders. However, requiring this physical participation while giving opportunities for creative self-expression creates a constant motivation for participants to persevere through difficulties. Especially with the emotional benefits it does provide. Furthermore, it has been proven in multiple studies to stimulate healing (5), improve hand tremors as well as lower cognitive function decline!

These benefits can increase the quality of life  tremendously for those with memory disorders. Offering not only emotional but also physical hope to anyone who has to battle one of these disorders daily.

Sources:
1. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0101035
2. Dictionary Definition: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/art
3. Malchiodi, C. (2003/2011). Art therapy and the brain. In C. Malchiodi (Ed.), Handbook of Art Therapy (pp. 17-26). New York: Guilford.
4. McNamee, C. 2003 Bilateral art: Facilitating systemic integration and balance. The Arts in Psychotherapy, 30(5): 283-292. DOI: 10.1016/j.aip.2003.08.005
5. https://go.gale.com/ps/anonymous?id=GALE%7CA99907667&sid=googleScholar&v=2.1&it=r&linkaccess=abs&issn=10638490&p=HRCA&sw=w

Picture: pexels.com

26/02/2020

Blending Colors

This study discusses the cases of two separate individuals with progressive dementia. Both of them were presented with various forms of art to express themselves with. Despite the decline of their verbal communication skills, their ability to express themselves through their art persisted. This gave them a voice that many individuals with memory disorders do not get. Furthermore, it created an uplifting environment that encouraged motivation to engage with the people around them.

This study also talks about the cost-efficient nature of art therapy, especially when it is compared to the costs of conventional treatments for memory disorders (like the mere use of medications that have side effects).

Sources:
https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ682599.pdf

Pictures: pexels.com

24/02/2020

Although the virtual world is vast and is often controversial in just about every topic, social media can be used successfully to fulfill positive intentions when used correctly.

The purpose of this page is to spread awareness for those who suffer from memory disorders. Or, more accurately, raise awareness of the benefits of art therapy for those with any type of memory disorder. Art therapy is not the most known form of treatment, and since these disorders do not have a cure, it is essential to try and help improve their lives as much as possible. Awareness is almost always the first step in conquering an issue, and social media, such as this page, can help make that first step more achievable. The main objective of the creation of this page is to encourage others to consider incorporating art therapy into their lives.

Picture: pexels.com

24/02/2020

The Science of Art Therapy

This academic article discusses the in-depth research of the physical science behind art therapy. It is an analysis of multiple tests (ex: MRIs) that break down the different areas of the human brain. They studied the physical and chemical responses that art therapy caused.

Their results were positive. Basically, they determined that this form of therapy does impact the human brain in a beneficial and productive matter.

Source & Picture:

Visual art represents a powerful resource for mental and physical well-being. However, little is known about the underlying effects at a neural level. A critical question is whether visual art production and cognitive art evaluation may have different effects on the functional interplay of the brain...

24/02/2020

Dementia and Alzheimer’s Healing

“In the 1990s, Berna Huebner was struggling to communicate with her mother, the painter Hilda Gorenstein, who was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. “I asked, ‘Mom, do you want to paint?’” says Huebner, who heads a Chicago charitable foundation. “And her eyes opened up, and she said, ‘Yes, I remember better when I paint.’” “

This introduction in this article is a tiny look at Berna Huebner’s significant story! She was struggling with a debilitating memory disorder, and painting aided in bringing her back to reality. It is one of the only keys that could keep her focus. However, she is not the only one with a unique journey with art therapy!

This source also talks about vital studies and how art therapy can help anyone who is struggling with Alzheimer’s Disease. From personal, real stories, to statistics and data, this source covers a massive amount of information that really shows the importance of art therapy.

You see, for a lot of artists, they think it is an escape from reality. But in reality, it’s what connects our most inner selves to the most uplifting parts of our own realities.

Sources:
https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-doctors-making-art-help-combat-alzheimers

Pictures: from the source (picture 2) and pexels.com

24/02/2020

Limitless Hope

Besides talking about the functional science behind art therapy, this source goes into the story of an artist with a worsening memory disorder. Her ability to create her old styles of art eventually declined.

So, her doctor and art therapist designed a particular form of art that she could participate in despite her personal mental and physical obstacles. This allowed her to not only expand her creativity once again but also allowed her to still experience the benefits that art once gave her before.

This is a significant example that there is hope for anyone who may need this form of therapy. It can be customized to the individual so that they can experience these countless benefits despite the obstacles memory disorders can bring!

Sources
https://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/article/use-art-making-treating-older-patients-dementia/2014-08

Picture: pexels.com

24/02/2020

A Chinese Look on Art Therapy

This source discusses the history of art therapy and the forms of it that have developed over time in China. It then applies this information to art therapy for individuals with dementia. In-depth, it talks about these benefits that those who participate in art therapy regularly experience.

1.) Improving overall cognition.
2.) Improving behavioral symptoms and psychological symptoms.
- "It has been shown that 70%–90% of patients with dementia manifest restlessness, anger, depression, anxiety, sadness, and other behavioral and psychological symptoms as the disease progresses".
4.) Bring feelings of creative satisfaction, purpose, and a sense of self-worth.
5.) Promoting communication and social skills.
6.) Relieving some of the emotional burdens of the caretakers of those who participated in this treatment.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095771816300755

Pictures: pexels.com

24/02/2020

“Art makes the invisible visible.” Paul Klee

This academic article goes into the psychotherapy science behind art therapy. It discusses how that can help those with memory-related trauma heal. It talks about how expressive art therapy alongside EMDR and body-based psychotherapy have had significant results for those who have participated in it.

The expressive abilities that art provides an individual are limitless and unique to each participant. This ability to tap into such a deep sense of individualism and subconscious emotion can allow individuals suffering from trauma or memory disorders to reach parts of their minds that before were cut off. This concept is one reason that this form of therapy is so significant in helping anyone with a memory disorder heal and have an increased quality of life.

Sources:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0197455606000864

Picture: pexels.com

24/02/2020

Healing with Artistic Masks

National Geographic has a project where they had veterans participate in art therapy. They created artistically inspired masks to help them express their repressed emotions and memories from their haunted pasts. PTSD is a lifelong, burdening mental disorder that many soldiers carry. It uses memories against their own mind.

Art therapy can help ease the anxiety and pain that these haunting memories bring. Furthermore, it is a deeper form of expression that can bring back a sense of control and hope into the lives of those who think they are alone.

Sources:
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/healing-soldiers/

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