林廷祐
Face the music: The press said
that depression is going to be one of those consuming diseases in the
coming century and World Health Organization has taken depression,
cancer and AIDS as the three major diseases of 21st century.
Research also shows that in Taiwan every year 3% of the population
suffer from depression while researchers estimate that there are about
one million people in Taiwan suffering from it or having suffered from
it. Grasping these numbers is akin to suddenly discerning a
well-camouflaged animal in a bush.
To deal with this serious
problem of depression, western medicine has come up with quite a few
remedies. Still, as people are having more doubts about conventional
medication-based therapies these days, many have turned toward easier,
safer, inexpensive and effective therapies. Among the alternative
therapies, music remedy has recently become a hot choice. Actually,
music remedy is nothing new. In B.C. 550
Pythagoras, a Greek philosopher and also a physician,
first brought up the notion of using music to treat patients. He deemed
that through listening to music, the harmony of Mother Nature could be
instilled into the patients』 subconscious, influencing both their body
and mind to help them recover.
Today music remedy is taking effect in many aspects.
Take the Chernobyl nuclear reactor catastrophe for example. Scientists
found that music remedy really worked on the survivors. Effects
included the improvement of sleeping quality, releasing stiff muscles,
enhancing attention, releasing pressure, and smoothing away anxiety.
World Health Organization also maintains that the effect of music
remedy is eight times better than traditional medicine when it comes to
improving the mental condition of patients.
For those suffering from depression, the use of music
remedy may work as an uplifting antidote. Patients need no more pills
that bring side effects, no more psychiatrists that demand high fees, or
ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy), which sounds terrifying. However,
music remedy has not been popular in Taiwan. Maybe some people still
hold a doubtful view, thinking the effect upon depression is still in
question. I think maybe these people should try taking the first step
toward conquering depression, simply by turning the radio on.