REVIEW OF THE CURRENT UNDERSTANDING OF MUSIC PERFORMANCE ANXIETY, ITS COMORBIDITIES, AVAILABLE TREATMENTS AND THEIR IMPLEMENTATION

Abstract

The mental and physical health issues faced by musicians are multifaceted and generally poorly understood by most musicians, teachers and medical professionals. This monograph will provide students, educators, and institutions with a model to implement a proactive physical and mental health plan. If followed this should ensure a more positive and supportive environment for student musicians. Not only will this help students during their studies, but it will also equip them with resilience as they pursue their careers. Effectively incorporating health education and support within our education system will also benefit this generation of musicians, and every subsequent one. This will lead to a healthier environment within the music profession.In an ideal world, every music school would have a specialized team of health professionals to help address the issues faced by students, including Music Performance Anxiety and its comorbidities, such as anxiety and depression, along with Performance-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders. These common problems, many of which are inextricably linked to their chosen profession, are often dealt with poorly or ignored completely. As musicians, we study our instruments with specialists, at centers of excellence, doing research into the schools we apply for to get the best fit and highest level of education possible. The same priority should be given to our physical and mental health. Specialized treatment is available to musicians often at a prohibitive cost, creating barriers for many students. By introducing personalized care for music students within educational institutions, these resources become available to everyone who needs them.