Treating Depression: Art, Expression, And Healing

Depression can be treated in a variety of ways, including traditional talk therapy. However, one somewhat alternative treatment may be art therapy. Art can often express thoughts and feelings that are challenging to communicate with mere words. It may also calm a racing mind, potentially resulting in a quiet and focused mental state in which to process difficult emotions. You don’t have to consider yourself an artist to try art therapy, and you don’t necessarily need any artistic talent to reap the potential benefits. Art therapy can be completed in person or online with the guidance of a licensed art therapist.

What is depression?

Depression is generally classified as a mood disorder, and it’s often characterized by apathy, persistent feelings of melancholy, uncontrolled weight loss or gain, lack of energy, feelings of hopelessness and low self-esteem, and other symptoms. 

If these symptoms last for two weeks or longer, a diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD) is possible, while these symptoms persisting for two years or longer may lead to a diagnosis of persistent depressive disorder (PDD). The severity of symptoms can play a significant role in treatment.

People living with depression often engage in therapy as treatment. They may also be prescribed medication in some cases. Although these can certainly be legitimate and effective options, there can be other ways to treat depression as well. Dietary interventions, lifestyle changes, and situational changes can all assist in treating depression and associated conditions. 

These may be the most common forms of treatment, but they are not necessarily a comprehensive list of options. One such option may be a therapeutic technique called art therapy.

What is art therapy?

In general, art therapy is a therapeutic modality that encourages patients to use art as a form of expression. Talk therapy might prove difficult for someone who does not have a specific source, catalyst, or reason for their depression. In some cases, talk therapy can also be difficult for individuals whose depression is intertwined with trauma or abuse.

If you or a loved one is witnessing or experiencing any form of abuse, please know that help is available. You can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline anytime at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233).  

Art therapy can help people work through trauma, depression, and anxiety using artistry. Art therapy may be administered by a dedicated art therapist, or it can be integrated into a standard therapy session by a psychologist with training or certification in the modality.

Unlike art classes in school, therapy art projects usually don’t demand that you fulfill a certain requirement, nor do they typically place demands that can overwhelm or force certain parameters on you. You might be given a prompt or be asked to focus on something in particular, but your work is generally for your own expression and freedom rather than a target or a grade.

There may be no one-size-fits-all approach to depression-related art. For example, you can paint or draw tears to demonstrate your feelings or create a picture that radiates happiness to express the way you wish to feel. It can all depend on your personality and preferences, but no matter what you create, anyone who sees it (if you want people to see it) may be able to relate to the emotions you express.

Many art therapy programs focus on depression drawing and other forms of visual art, but tactile artwork (such as sculpture and other 3-D mediums), writing, and creating music can all be utilized in a treatment plan. If there is a particular medium you are more interested in or comfortable with, you can work with your practitioner to create a treatment that will keep you engaged, focused, and dedicated to your own healing journey. 

Possessing skill in the realm of art is generally not a requirement for art therapy. The goal is normally to develop your ability to listen to and express yourself, not to create a masterpiece or impress your therapist. Giving yourself permission to deviate from the expectation to create something great and instead create something honest and indicative of your experience can offer some freedom and relief from the pressure and fear often associated with creation.

Art, depression, and healing

Researchers suggest that creative expression guided by a trained therapist can be extremely valuable to public health. Those experiencing physical or mental illness often experience an improvement in their quality of life because of therapeutic creative expression. Research also shows that there can be a link between making auditory or visual arts and a reduced risk of developing heart disease, depression, and even dementia. 

Art therapy can be so effective, in fact, that it’s often used as a major part of many treatments for coronary artery disease (CAD). Mindfulness-based art therapy, or MBAT, may reduce the risk of heart disease and treat its underlying symptoms, potentially enhancing overall physiological solidity. MBAT can be used by people of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels.

Art can do more than just help you express any feelings you might be encountering. Creativity and creation can both be capable of lending tremendous confidence to an individual, which can lift some of the symptoms of depression. A pivotal part of depression can be experiencing low self-esteem, so inspiring confidence may be an important part of healing.

Increasing bodies of research are generally finding that creation and artwork can be extremely useful in treating not only depression but also illness and pain as a whole. 

Art can be a powerful tool for relieving depression symptoms because it can instill confidence, create room for expression, and foster creativity, which has been linked to decreases in anxiety, depression, rigid behaviors, and even physical ailments, such as heart disease and cancer. This seems to be particularly true of therapy fusing art and meditation, as studies have often found a dramatic difference in patients who engaged in a type of therapy combining artistry and loving-kindness meditation.

Creative expression and visual arts can affect mental health in numerous ways. Artistic outlets can consolidate racing thoughts and process difficult emotions. Meanwhile, unexpressed creativity can negatively impact someone with an existing health condition because it may produce pent-up frustration and anxiety. This can, in turn, create more stress. Therefore, it can be important for people to seek healthy creative outlets, even if they’re not currently experiencing mental, physical, or emotional health issues.

Possible downfalls of using art for depression treatment

Although creating art can be a healthy aspect of healing, there can be some risks in associating art with depression. Some may experience the "tortured artist" mindset and consider depression a necessary aspect of creativity, rather than viewing creativity as a useful outlet for depression. 

However, in general, no one should expect to struggle to keep up their art. Instead, through art therapy, you may discover that being happy can also produce great art. Art therapy can be an excellent tool when used in conjunction with talk therapy services to ensure a healthy mindset is maintained in the midst of creativity and artistry. 

Please note that art may not be something to self-prescribe to avoid other forms of therapy. Some people may need a combination of talk therapy and art therapy to keep depression at a manageable level, while others may be able to use art therapy with a provider as their sole source of support. 

Creating artwork on your own without speaking about your condition with a licensed healthcare professional is typically not the same as creating artwork as a therapy technique and should not be mistaken for medical advice. Therefore, if you believe you may be living with depression, it can be best to have a discussion with your doctor or therapist about a treatment plan.

Art therapy and co-morbidity

While art therapy can be an effective depression treatment, it can also be used for other conditions that can be comorbid with depression. Obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, and many anxiety disorders can all benefit from art therapy, as may neurodevelopmental disorders, such as ADHD and ASD. Integrating this form of therapy into talk or behavioral therapy can yield positive outcomes for people who have multiple disorders. 

Using art and music as therapy can also be effective at reducing a person’s risk of developing or worsening heart disease and mental illness, which may be why activities such as playing instruments, painting, and tai chi are often offered as part of community outreach programs at most local public health facilities.

Getting started with therapy

Whether you prefer traditional talk therapy or art therapy, working with a licensed mental health professional can be an excellent way to treat depression.

Benefits of online therapy

Attending therapy online is often much more convenient than going to sessions in person. It’s usually easier to fit into your schedule, as you may not need to factor in time for transportation, and you may even be able to schedule sessions outside of typical office hours. In addition, it can be simpler to connect with specific types of therapists, such as art therapists, through an online therapy platform rather than searching for one in your local area.

Effectiveness of online therapy

A 2018 study investigated the efficacy of telehealth-based creative arts therapy and found that it could be successfully adapted to the telehealth format. If art therapy sounds like an intriguing form of treatment, don’t hesitate to reach out for the professional guidance you deserve.