Does Playing Guitar Really Help For PTSD?

[02-fatboy]

Ok so I was wondering if anyone around here has PTSD (post tramatic stress disorder) and if learning to play guitar really helps? I know playing guitar helps me for stress sometimes, however I am more specifically wondering about PTSD.

If you have a story you would like to share I would be glad to hear it. My father is a Vietnam War Veteran and he was diagonosed with PTSD along with alot of other men and women who served our country. To those people I want to say may god bless your souls, and thank you for supporting our freedom here in America.

I was kind of wondering if playing guitar really helps since I know there are alot of cool groups out there like guitars for vets etc. I have been trying to get my dad to play guitar. He complains it hurts his fingers to much. I even told him I would give one of my guitars to play. Hell I have enough of them I am sure I could spare to give him one if it helped with his PTSD.

Any feedback would be really appreciated.

Thank you everyone.

 

[diceman]

We have one member here who has stated that it helps him.

It isn't my place to say his name, though.

 

[Jason]

We have one member here who has stated that it helps him.

It isn't my place to say his name, though.

Steve. There, I said it.

 

[02-fatboy]

Hey its all good I am not trying to call people out. I was just wondering how much it helps and if it was worth it for my to try and convince my stepdad to take up guitar. I suppose everyone is different. I imagine it works for some people and no for others.

I appreciate you guys letting me know that it works for at least one person here. There are some really great groups out there that are doing wonderful work to help out out Vets. I like going to the VA hospital in Milwaukee every year and handing out cookies to all the guys that are there. I also really enjoy having a cook out for the guys there in the fall.

I try to do what I can to give back to the men and women that have give so much for me.

SOME GAVE ALL, ALL GAVE SOME.

My dad's uncle was a POW who never returned home from Korea. I know how much the men and women of our service give for us every day and I am very thankful for what they are doing and have done for us.

 

[TenYearsGone]

I've never heard that it helps but I'll have to look into it.

 

[02-fatboy]

I had heard this somewhere a while back. I don't actually know anyone with PTSD that plays guitar currently or if they do they don't come out and say they have it which I can completley understand.

I know my dad has PTSD and I am trying to get him to play some guitar since I have heard its supposed to help. My guess is like most things it works for some people but not all.

Anyways I though if he could learn to play guitar it would be cool plus it might help him deal with his PTSD.

 

[Howard2k]

I do not have PTSD but I am at a very trying time in my life right now. There are days when my slender grip on sanity is about to let go, and just picking up the guitar, even in my useless newbie phase, provides the strength to hang onto it again.

 

[02-fatboy]

Hey brother I feel your pain. I hope what ever you are going through that it gets better. I have learned life can be quite trying. At times its like a rollor coaster filled with ups and downs.

I try to make the best of life though all and enjoy the good times but there is definitely something to be said about picking up a guitar and just playing that makes me feel better when I am having a really crappy day.

 

[River]

Yes. Big time.

 

[02-fatboy]

Appreciate the feedback.

 

[joegeek]

According to these guys it helps
The healing power of music ?in the hands of heroes

 

[dennistruckdriver]

Fatboy, you're new threads/total posts ratio is now at 10.3%.

 

[02-fatboy]

Fatboy, you're new threads/total posts ratio is now at 10.3%.

Is that a good or a bad thing?

Ah I get it your the troll patrol I am not trolling so this must be a postive thing LOL.

 

[dennistruckdriver]

Neither. Just a figure.

 

[mudfinger]

Yes, it helps, in several ways. There's even a branch of clinical psychology devoted to music therapy.

As for physical injuries being an obstacle, Django Reinhardt only had 2 good fingers on his fretting hand, and Tony Iommi is missing a bit of his pinky, iirc. Slide guitar, open tunings, thumbpicks, etc. can all help, as well.

One thing that really, really sucks for guys like your stepdad, is that he most likely didn't get the professional care he needed and deserved before he was discharged. Symptoms can show up years, even decades later, and it gets harder and harder to treat at all as time goes by.

I think if you can get the guitar in his hands and convince him to play it, he'll thank you for it later. Feel free to pass on my thanks to him for putting his ass on the line to keep me safe while yer at it!

 

[Mike-t]

I would think that it would be more helpful if you already knew how to play. Learning to play isn't that soothing until you can actually make musical sounds, which takes awhile and can be frustrating.

 

[coldsteal2]

The only thing that helps my PTSD to lay down, take my meds
and breath into a paper bag. But i can see how it can help
with me i have a full on anxiety (panic) attack that ends up in
the ER at times, only quiet helps me, but people have different symptoms

 

[DRF]

The only thing that helps my PTSD to lay down, take my meds
and breath into a paper bag. But i can see how it can help
with me i have a full on anxiety (panic) attack that ends up in
the ER at times, only quiet helps me, but people have different symptoms

Man,that explains so much Have you ever seen 1977's Heroes,its an awesome movie.

 

[coldsteal2]

War can do some crazy things to your nerves
my dad used to have what he called "the sweats"
they called it shell shock during WWII

 

[lpcustom69]

I don't think that PTSD was diagnosed until the 80s, and there really wasn't any treatment provided by the military or VA then.

Plus, as mentioned it may not rear it's ugly head right away.

I think playing the guitar will help your father cope.