Despite music being seen as a source of joy and artistic expression, research indicates that a significant proportion of musicians (70-80%) face challenges with their mental health. While depression and anxiety are commonly diagnosed, there may be underlying issues such as neurodiversity that require further attention, as was the case with my own experience.
🔴 Red Section = Insights
🟡 Amber Section = Improvised - My Experience
🟢 Green Section = Recommendation - Help Musicians UK
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Hey and welcome to the Neurodivergent Musician Podcast. I'm your host, Jon Hart along with Luna my guitar and today i’ll be talking about mental health. Each episode is broken up into a traffic light format where I’ll share insights in the red section, improvised stories in the amber and recommendations you might find handy in the green.
As individuals who are neurodivergent, we may be more susceptible to mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and ADHD. Although many people see music as a joyful hobby and art form, studies indicate that 70-80% of musicians struggle with their mental health. Depression and anxiety can often be diagnosed first but there could be something deeper going on, which is what happened to me.
The Musicians Union provides further details on this subject, and they recently asked me to create an article about being a neurodivergent musician. I suggest taking a look at it when you have the chance as it gives a brief overview. However, in this podcast, I will delve deeper into the topic and provide some tips and strategies for maintaining good mental health as a neurodivergent musician.
The stress of being a musician, dealing with the music industry, and attempting to navigate a volatile, uncertain, and insecure work environment can be harmful. Adding a neurodivergent brain to the mix can take a toll on our mental health.
First and foremost, self-care should be our top priority. This entails looking after our physical health by getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly - which can be challenging given how much time we spend working. It also entails taking care of our emotional well-being by engaging in activities that bring us joy, such as playing music or spending time with loved ones. While pursuing our passion for music, we often take on multiple projects, roles, and tasks, which can be exhausting. Although we are committed to our job, we must understand that receiving help necessitates jumping through several hoops, such as building a team, raising funds, and assembling assets.
For neurodivergent individuals, setting boundaries is an important aspect of self-care. We may be more sensitive to stress, which can trigger anxiety and depression. As a result, it is critical to understand our limits and to say no to things that may be too much for us or may end up taking up too much time. This could mean declining gigs or events that we know will be overwhelming or setting limits on our work hours and social media use. There are several applications and browser extensions that can set timers and limit our social media exposure.
It is also crucial to seek support when we need it. This may include therapy or counseling, talking to close friends or family members, or joining support groups for neurodivergent individuals. There are numerous resources available on Facebook that can provide us with the support and understanding we need to manage our mental health.
Another strategy for maintaining good mental health is to practice mindfulness. Mindfulness involves being present in the moment and easing stress and intrusive thoughts - not all the time, as we can become overwhelmed, especially when working in a collaborative environment. This practice can assist us in becoming more aware of our emotions and thoughts, allowing us to manage them more effectively.
Finally, it is important to recognize when we require professional assistance. Mental health issues can be severe and may necessitate treatment from a mental health professional. If you are experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues, do not hesitate to seek help from a mental health professional.