How Group Drumming Improves Mental Health
Expression of art in a group through dancing and drumming is a long-lasting tradition of humanity that reflects our tribal roots. Beating drums have been a crucial part of many cultures. Special events such as hunting, harvest feasts, and marriage drums are essential for celebration. This activity is critical to developing communal bonds and allowing people to feel welcome.
Often, when suffering from PTSD, people may feel an overwhelming sense of loneliness, sudden outbursts of anger, and a lack of control over their lives.
Drumming can effectively provide PTSD patients with an outlet to truly express themselves beyond disgruntled movement or expressions. Drums can serve as an object which patients can hit out of anger. Drumming as a group to the same rhythm, can also create a sense of belonging and connection.
A therapeutic approach to treat PTSD is most effective because of the nature of these graphic flashbacks, which are ingrained in the minds of the patients.These memories are primitive and visual-based. Thus it cannot be transformed in the way other less graphic memories are. On the other hand, both music and traumatic events are sensory mediated.
Although group drumming is proven to be extremely useful, it is tough to actively participate in such activity unless you are self-motivated to reach out and find suitable opportunities.
However, thankfully there are a plethora of nonprofit organizations that help organize these events.
- If you are a veteran, then contact your local Veteran Affairs (VA) office. VA recommends music therapy for the veteran who suffers from mental health issues.
- Path to Rhythm is an organization that provides group drumming classes for 25 to 2500 participants.
- Commercial services from Drummm in Santa Cruz provide group drumming lessons to team building and well-being groups.
But if you cannot find an opportunity for the above organizations, then reach out to the social media groups. You could also subscribe to this site, and we can notify you when such nonprofit activities are scheduled in your area.
In conclusion, group drumming can serve as an effective way to overcome the detrimental effects of PTSD. As exhibited by Dr. Bensimon’s research, playing the drum can be an efficient method to curb feelings of loneliness, harsh traumatic memories, outbursts of anger, and loss of control. Although this needs further research to be seen as the traditional rehabilitative method, PTSD patients should consider practicing group drumming to improve mental health.