Mac Miller, Avicii, Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell and Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington all died prematurely due to depression in music. These events have raised serious concerns regarding mental health in music; more musicians have spoken out in regards to it this year; several even cancelled tours to prioritize their mental well-being.
Gross and Musgrave conducted a recent study which suggests that the music industry is struggling to provide musicians with supportive environments.
Depression
Depression is a serious mood disorder that can leave sufferers feeling hopeless and worthless, disrupting sleep, appetite and energy levels. Musicians must get treatment for depression if they are having suicidal thoughts; additionally it helps if they surround themselves with supportive networks such as other musicians, friends and family members who provide comforting advice and assistance.
Musicians frequently turn to their instrument as a form of therapy, both emotionally and physically. Music can provide relief while helping musicians express themselves fully – yet its use may also become draining over time, so it’s essential that musicians prioritize self-care by participating in activities which bring joy and relaxation.
Research indicates that musicians and those working in the music industry are at increased risk of mental health issues than the general population. A recent survey conducted by Help Musicians UK found that 71% of musicians experienced anxiety while 65% suffered depression, among a sample group of 2,211 respondents who identified as musicians or music industry professionals such as live crew, audio production or management personnel.
Stressful musical careers place musicians under immense strain, often expecting them to consistently produce hit songs while touring relentlessly and maintaining certain standards of appearance while facing financial hurdles.
Depression can be difficult to identify and treat. Because many people lack an understanding of the signs and symptoms associated with depression, they may assume musicians are always happy. Therefore, musicians should seek treatment for their depression if experiencing symptoms like low self-esteem, sadness and fatigue.
An often-held belief is that creativity leads to depression. While certain artists, such as poet Sylvia Plath and painter Vincent van Gogh, have suffered from mental health issues due to their creative output, many musicians don’t suffer depression simply due to being creative. Studies have suggested a correlation between depression and creativity – however evidence supporting such claims varies significantly.
Anxiety
Musicians frequently experience anxiety and stress while performing, known as musical performance anxiety (MPA). Affecting 15-25% of musicians, MPA has been linked with disruptions of concentration, physical symptoms and poor performances as well as various mental health disorders including depression and bipolar disorder.
Many of the same symptoms associated with depression can also be observed among those suffering from MPA, including self-criticism and negative self-evaluation prior to and during performances. Negative self-evaluations disrupt concentration, leading to decreased performance quality – this phenomenon is known as “performance spiral.”
MPA may be caused by several factors, including temperament and negative early performance experiences. Furthermore, environmental influences like audiences can play a part in exacerbating this condition.
No matter its source, MPA can have devastating consequences for musicians and their careers. Anxiety can have an immediate effect on performance while contributing to other conditions like fatigue, irritability and mood swings; further compounded by external pressures like time constraints and life events.
Survey results conducted with MAINZ students, past students and tutors revealed that those with more years of experience were actually more likely to suffer from debilitating performance anxiety. If music makers are struggling with performance anxiety it is essential that they seek help and learn how to overcome it; techniques like Alexander Technique can improve breathing and body alignment to reduce stress levels while cognitive behavioural therapy provides strategies for reframing negative thoughts and improving self-esteem.
Make sure you remember that your audience are on your side, as they want you to succeed. Complaints about a piece of music’s difficulty often stem from not fully understanding its intent – for instance if a musician doesn’t comprehend its rhythms, pitches, articulations, dynamics and so on then the piece could appear to be unwieldy and intimidating in appearance.
Bipolar Disorder
Numerous famous artists, writers and musicians throughout history have been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. While its exact cause remains unknown, scientists speculate that creativity could play a part in driving bipolar symptoms.
Periods of mania for those suffering from bipolar disorder can be exceptionally productive and creative, often working long hours and spending money frivolously while experiencing an overwhelming sense of self-confidence. Unfortunately, however, mania may lead to delusions and lack of reality checking; therefore it is crucial that those living with the condition learn how to recognize signs of both mania and depression in order to safeguard themselves against future harm.
Recent years have witnessed an increasing emphasis on mental health within the music industry. Many musicians have spoken openly about their struggles with depression and bipolar disorder to destigmatize these illnesses and encourage others to seek treatment; some musicians even wrote songs about their experience living with bipolar disorder.
Chiodos, featuring singer Craig Owens, are a rock group who have been open about their mental health challenges. In 2008, Owens publicly disclosed that he suffered from manic depression and bipolar disorder; he credits his recovery to family, friends, fans, therapy sessions, medications and support from physicians.
Other musicians have used their status as celebrities to raise awareness of mental illness. In 2018, rapper Kanye West used the cover story of Vogue magazine to address his own struggle with bipolar disorder in an open and honest fashion, emphasizing his desire not to be defined by it, rather by what work he produces.
Though no definitive reason has been identified as to why those living with bipolar disorder are so artistic, experts speculate that music might play a part. Music allows one to express emotions and sensations more freely while also improving mood for those suffering depression and anxiety.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Musicians can be vulnerable to the psychological aftermath of traumatizing events. They may suffer symptoms like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, especially if performing before an audience of thousands or recording in a studio exposes them to high levels of stress and anxiety which can contribute to mental health problems. Furthermore, tour schedules force musicians away from family for long periods, leading to feelings of isolation and depression – particularly among female musicians.
Studies reveal that musicians experience higher rates of mental health issues compared to people working in other fields; the exact reasons are still unclear. Researchers suggest that unique contextual properties of musical education and the music profession, including competition and performance pressure (Chong et al., 1989; Van Kemenade et al. 1995; Langendorfer et al 2006; Dobson 2010; Barbar et al 2014; Kenny 2020) play an essential part in creating this situation. Studies support the idea that specific psychosocial factors within the industry cause this stress, including income insecurity and employment insecurity; tension between authenticity vs commercialism; and negative effects on personal relationships (Gross & Musgrave 2016; Holst et al 2012; Vaag et al 2017).
Creative people tend to have unique brains that process information differently than other people’s; their minds work in unconventional ways and their behavior may seem unconventional too. Additionally, their emotions tend to be more intense. They experience things more deeply and may find communicating difficult with others which leaves them feeling alone or isolated.
The music industry must take responsibility for the mental wellbeing of its artists. This requires providing assistance when needed, improving access to mental health services and offering financial aid for those in financial difficulties. Furthermore, stigma must be removed associated with these conditions; some musicians such as Demi Lovato (who has bipolar disorder) and Bruce Springsteen (who is open about his battles with depression in his memoir “Born to Run”) have taken steps to raise awareness by advocating help-seeking behavior among fans while remaining open about own struggles regarding mental illness – these musicians encourage fans in seeking assistance by engaging directly and being honest about own mental health struggles in open conversations among themselves as they encourage fans to seek help for themselves or openly discuss own mental health struggles among their own communities – musicians doing their part by raising awareness such as these two singers have done.