Dimhans to start offering music therapy soon

Hubballi: Dharwad Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (Dimhans) will be the first government mental health institute in North Karnataka which will treat patients having moderate to mild mood disorders with music therapy.
Doctors at Dimhans said music therapy will help patients recover faster and those who want to stay strong mentally too can undergo therapy.
Dimhans director Dr Mahesh Desai said they will introduce music therapy at the earliest and all necessary arrangements have been made.
“We have the necessary musical equipment and trained musicians, doctors and support staff. The healing power of music has been proved and we have pieces of evidence also. Some ragas and taalas have been proved to be effective in patients suffering from anxiety, stress, depression and other mood disorders,” Dr Desai said.
He added that the new treatment would also be extended to outpatients in the initial days. They must visit the institute on a scheduled time every day for the therapy. “We are planning to teach patients classical music so that they can inculcate it as a hobby. In the second stage we will provide music therapy to inpatients too,” said Dr Desai.
Dr Shivanand Hiremath, a city-based neuropsychiatrist told TOI, “Music therapy is as good as yoga and meditation. It soothes the mind. Research is being conducted in India and other countries about how classical music and instrumental music have an impact on one’s mental health,”
He said the primary line of treatment will be medication and music therapy is being used as an adjuvant treatment in some institutions. “Lot of people who are deprived of quality night’s sleep are listening to Zen music. It is already proved that music will relax the mind and is considered as a great stress buster,” he said.
The therapeutic effect of music gained prominence after the World War II when several American soldiers who were disturbed by violence found solace in music.