Sound and Music for Schizophrenia and Bipolar

Table of Contents

Medical Details

Definition

Causes

Signs and Symptoms

Current Treatments

Conceptual Framework and Theoretical Basis for Approach

Create Peace with Sound, Voice, Instruments, Music and Vibration

Self Discovery and Transformation

Getting them in their Body

Higher Perspective and Intuition

Different Types of Clients / Issues

Safety Guidelines

Intake Questions

Top Questions

Chakra Questions

Practitioner Preparation and Guidelines

Clearing in Advance

General

Preparation and Guidelines for Each Issue

Treatments with Sound

Order of treatment

Example treatments

Higher Perspective and Intuition

Homework

Treatments Other Than Sound

Sound and Music for Schizophrenia and Bipolar

Medical Details

This section provides information about the issue, known causes, common signs and symptoms and current treatments.

Definition

Schizophrenia is a complex brain disorder that affects a person's ability to think, feel, and behave clearly. Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition that causes extreme shifts in energy, mood and activity levels.  

Causes

• Exact causes are unknown
• Genetic predisposition
• Altered brain chemistry and structure
• Environment
• High stress levels
• Alcohol or drug abuse

Signs and Symptoms

Schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are separate conditions with overlapping symptoms.  People with bipolar disorder can experience psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations or delusions during a manic or depressive episode.

• Delusions - false beliefs not based on reality
• Hallucinations - seeing, hearing, smelling or feeling things that aren’t real
• Disorganized speech and behavior
• Lack of emotion
• Lack of motivation
• Paranoia - feeling like someone is out to get them
• Withdrawal from others, social isolation
• Inflated self worth
• Depressed
• Moodiness
• Altered sleep schedule
• Unusual or surprising behavior
• Inappropriate laughter
• Violent outbursts
• Self harm, such as cutting
• Hypersensitivity to smell, touch, taste and sound
• Manic episodes - elation, high energy levels
• Depressive episodes - hopelessness, low energy levels
• Suicidal thoughts
• Restless, hyperactive
• Tired, trouble staying focused
• Irritable, impulsive

Current Treatments

• Prescription medications such as antipsychotics, antidepressants, mood stabilizers
• Psychotherapy
• Cognitive behavioral therapy

Conceptual Framework and Theoretical Basis for Approach

This section provides the theoretical basis for using specific sounds and music for the particular issue. It is the “why.” Why do we think our approach makes sense for the particular issue? This theoretical framework will likely be refined over time as we learn more and do more research. There are a large number of ways to use sound, music and vibration to create treatments based on this overall framework. The section below, “Treatments with Sound,” provides many options with much more detail.

Create Peace with Sound, Voice, Instruments, Music and Vibration

Peace and harmony are the basis of health.  When we experience a state of peace, body and mind are relaxed and the natural healing response kicks in.

They can be hyper-sensitive to any stimulus.  

Watch closely and if so, use only calming sounds.

(This section is good for all issues except where people are extremely fragile – CLICK HERE to see more detail)

Listening

1. Frequencies

a.     Coherent vs. Chaotic frequencies

b.     Archetypal Frequencies

c.     Low Frequencies

d.     Frequencies for Specific Parts of the Body

e.     Frequencies for a Person’s Whole System

2. Sounds

a.     Consistent Stable Sounds

b.     Warm Sounds

c.     Sounds for Breaking up Energy

-       Dissonant Sounds

-       Odd Harmonics

-       Rhythms and Binaural Beats

3. Musical Intervals – Harmonious

a.     Unison

b.     Octave

c.     Perfect 5th

d.     Perfect 4th

e.   Major 3rd (especially descending) for love

4. Musical Flow

a.     Smooth Flow

b.     Slow Fade

c.          Home note of the key of the song

d.   Dynamics that Slowly and Smoothly Get More Calming

e.     Slow Rhythms

f.    Music Tuned to the Breath

g.      Musical 5th Melodic Intervals

h.   Musical 3rd Melodic Intervals (for love)

i.       Sweet Melodies

5. Energy and Intention

a.     Stable and Consistent Peace

b.     Soul Energy

c.   Universal Love

d.     Source

Having Them Play Instruments

Physically playing an instrument is good for the brain.

Music They Love

Music distracts from delusions

Voice Work

1. Toning
2. Chant and Mantra
3. Voice Healing

Sounds on the Body

1. Tibetan Bowls, Tuning Forks, Frame Drums
2. VibroAcoustics: Sound Tables / Sound Lounges  / Sound Vests / Sound Pillows / Sound Dolphins

Brainwave Entrainment Tuned to The Person
Have them play a drum or tap to find their rhythm.

Self Discovery and Transformation

Once you have them at peace, discuss the issues and triggers along with ideas for dealing with them with sound.

Getting them in their Body

Any sounds and techniques to ground them to bring them out of a delusion. This means getting them in their body with any physical vibrations as above.

Emotional Expression

• Making sounds is excellent for healthy expression.
• If necessary use call and response to get them comfortable making sound.
• Work with them until they are able to express emotions freely.
• Be careful about getting too wild as it may trigger an episode.

Higher Perspective and Intuition

• Use sound and discussion to help them access a wider mental perspective and higher state of consciousness.
• In many cultures, this is seen as a gift and they are led to the mystics path and might even become profound healers.
• Their system is not shut down. They are able to access higher energies if you are able to take them there.
• Another approach is to not deny their reality. They might be channeling. Teach and work on how to bring light to any dark energies.

Different Types of Clients / Issues

This section provides important information to be aware of and suggestions to customize treatments based on special considerations such as different variations of the issue, the degree of severity of an issue, adults vs. children, strong vs. fragile state, etc.

• Put labels aside and look at symptoms
• Peaks between 18 and 25.
• Dopamine and Serotonin are released and is off the charts
• Schizophrenia - Hi dopamine
• Bipolar - Lo dopamine
• Schizoaffective disorder is a combination of both
• Level of sensitivity is extremely important.
• Hard to diagnose for Adolescents because they are naturally a bit wild

Safety Guidelines

What practitioners should be aware of. What are the contraindications? This is critical not only for safety, but in order to help bring these treatment modalities into the mainstream (hospitals and homes).

• Some say to never work on someone in an active schizophrenic episode.
• Be really careful…. go gracefully and gently.
• They can be extremely fragile and easily triggered.
• Don’t make it wrong. They need to be validated.
• Don’t be afraid to get help.
• Always watch extremely closely for any negative reactions.
• Be aware of any sounds or music that might annoy or trigger them. Keep track.
• Sometimes touching people can be problematic.

Intake Questions

General questions about the person and detailed questions about their issue and their relationship with it. These questions are critical for determining which path to take in the treatment plan.

Be aware of whether they can answer the questions with ease.  Be aware of any reaction to being questioned and stop if necessary.

Be aware of the mood they are in.

Top Questions

• When did the issue start to manifest?
• On a scale of 1-10, how severe is the issue?
• What big life events happened around this issue?
• Why do you believe you developed this issue?
• How are you coping with the issue?
• What are the subjects and key memories they have interest in?
• Are you on any medications? For how long and how do they help?
• Self medicating? Consuming drugs or medication?
• What triggers it or makes it worse?
• Had situations come up recently?
• Do you have a current strategy in place for coping with it?
• What kind of daily schedule are you on?
• What is your passion in life and are you taking steps to achieve it?
• What could give your life more meaning?
• If your schizophrenia had a message for you, what would it be?
• Had situations come up recently?
• How long does it last?
• Been diagnosed or not?
• Family have it?
• Like specific sounds or music?
• Enjoy listening to music?
• If yes, what type of music?
• Favorite songs?
• Ever played an instrument?
• What instrument sounds are you favorite?
• Anything that makes you peaceful?
• How was your day?
• How are they feeling?
• Engage in conversation.
• Any sounds they don’t like?
• Any sounds that are intense?
• What are their interests?
• What makes them happy?
• What brings them joy?

Chakra Questions

• Root Chakra – How grounded are you? How often are you in your body versus in your head?
• Sacral Chakra – How easily do you let go of emotions?
• Solar Plexus Chakra – Are you above others where you are frustrated, critical or angry, or below people where you feel insecure or not good enough? Or do you feel in your power equal to others?
• Heart Chakra – How open is your heart? How much love do you have in your life these days?
• Throat Chakra – How well are you able to express yourself?
  Do you have any trouble or fear around making sound or singing?
• Third Eye – How good is your intuition? How clear is your vision and clarity of mind?
• Crown Chakra – How often do you connect to Spirit or Source energy?
  Do you have a spiritual practice?
  Do you know how to open your crown chakra?

Practitioner Preparation and Guidelines

Clearing in Advance

• Do your homework on yourself.
• Do your own centering first before the session.
• Clear your physical space as necessary - physically and energetically.
• Call in guides.
• Set out all Sound Healing Instrument sets (Crystal Bowls, Tibetan Bowls, Tuning Forks, Drums, etc.)

General

• Build confidence in these techniques by sharing previous successes, research, acceptance of Sound Healing in Integrative Therapy departments in Hospitals.
• Have intake questions ready for proper diagnosis and treatment.
• Listen and be present.  
• Be ready to follow higher guidance.
• See them as pure spirit, allowing space for them to be honored as divine presence.
• Meet them where they are at.
• Understand how to establish trust in every opportunity that presents. Listen, empower, validate, non-judgment, no labels, authenticity is key, etc.
• Watch extremely closely for any negative reactions during the session.
• Be honest with patients in advance regarding your qualifications and session goals. Expand trust by demonstrating willingness to become vulnerable.
• Reflection: Use their exact words back to them so they know you have understood them.
• Gauge how closed they are. Know how deep you can go?
• Reframe: See condition as a doorway instead of obstacle.
• Hold deep acceptance: “It’s OK to be that way”  “It’s Ok to feel what you are feeling”
• If they start crying don’t touch or talk to them. Let them know “It’s OK, Let it out.”
• Disclaimer for any recommendations - especially herbal stuff and anything ingested.
• Explain to the client what they may experience during the session.
• Ask permission to work on the body with tuning forks and bowls and possibly hands.
• Keep track of which techniques the client likes the most and use the best in future sessions or homework assignments.

Preparation and Guidelines for Each Issue

Use the intake questions to connect to the person and develop trust.

Treatments with Sound

Detailed techniques using a wide range of sound and music, categorized based on the Conceptual Frameworks above.

Order of treatment

1. Opening / Invocation – Do sound to get them as peaceful as possible initially
2. Do Intake questions
3. Do a sound session based on the information and energy from the intake questions
4. Discuss how effective it was for releasing the issues
5. Visualize the issue completely gone and do sound to resonate it
6. Make the sound of the new life, completely healed and then do celebration
7. The connection is the most important
8. Don’t make them wrong. They need to be validated.
9. Be really careful…. go gracefully and gently.
10.  Meet someone where they are at.

Peace

Play

• Stable consistent tones – Most sound healing instruments and vowels or humming
• Slow fade – Particularly on the home note of the key of the song. Be quiet and still at the end
• Stable consistent rhythms – Slow the rhythm down until it becomes really slow before stopping
• Calm sounds if they seem easily triggered
• Explore what sounds work
• One bowl only
• Nature sounds on a sound table (ocean)
• Ocean drum

Have Them Play and Make Sounds

• Physically playing an instrument is good for the brain.
• Making sounds is excellent for healthy expression.
• Use their name
• Toning and Humming
• Frequency sweep
• Sound what they are seeing

Explore What Music Works

• Music distracts from delusions
• Try music they love and sound healing music
• Try these from David Gibson:

• Water of Life
• Unconditional Love
• Enlightenment
• Calm Sleep
• Chakra Journey

• Try other Sound Healing CDs

Express Emotions with Sound

• If necessary use call and response to get them comfortable making sound.
• Work with them until they are able to express emotions freely.
• Be careful about getting too wild as it may trigger an episode.
• Express a full range of emotions to develop emotional awareness and intelligence. Tone with emotions:

• Contentment / Peace
• Joy / Enthusiasm
• Love / Kindness
• Sadness

Releasing Emotions with the Voice

10 techniques from David’s class

Getting them in their body

• One approach is to try and ground them to bring them out of a delusion. This means getting them in their body with any physical vibrations as above.
• Use sounds on the body… watch closely for negative reactions and stop immediately.
• Body percussion – Start simple. Check out www.SoundEducationCenter.com for lots of exercises to download.
• Tuning forks – not above the neck
• Having them play instruments – Track which they like
• Sound Tables/Lounges and/or Sound Pillows have been incredibly effective. Test the volume and amount of vibration first. Start with extremely low-level vibration.

Breathwork

• Breathe to a rhythm
• Do another’s breath that is peaceful and supportive
• Breath to your own rhythm
• Make sighing sounds during out breath

Brainwave Entrainment tuned to them

• Find their natural rhythm/note and play binaural beats in Delta, Theta, Alpha and Beta to get them back to their own natural rhythm of their metabolism – brain and heart rates.
• Have them play a drum or tap to find their rhythm.
• When playing percussion and rhythm instruments look to match their rhythm.

Holding Frequency Class

• 10 techniques for dealing with challenges and conflicts with sound. Desensitizing things that cause stress.
• 8 Techniques for dealing with challenges and conflicts. Play annoying sounds and do:

1. Allowing
2. Being present in the body and breath
3. Toning
4. Singing along with it
5. Welcoming
6. Gratitude
7. Compassion
8. Love

• Be extremely careful with the volume of the annoying sounds.

Connection to Spirit

• In many cultures, this is seen as a gift and they are led to the mystics path and might even become profound healers.
• Their system is not shut down. They are able to access higher energies if you are able to take them there.
• Another approach is to not deny their reality. They might be channeling. Teach and work on how to bring light to any dark energies.
• Half sound, half energy work

Imagining a New Life - Creating a New Lifestyle

• It is a gift, not a problem.
• Carl Sagan was borderline schizophrenic.
• When the brain is not injured, it is Spiritual Crisis, not a serious crisis.
• It needs to be worth their while to heal.  
• It is not lost time…. It is a beginning. Create a new timeline.
• This is not you. You are a perfect pure Spirit. Make the sound of it.
• Imagine what it might feel like to be completely on the other side never using drugs, whole and healed. Imagine one year ahead healthy and whole. Make the sound of it.
• Creating a lifestyle that is interesting, fun, engaging and fulfilling.
• Explore Goals and Purpose in life.
• Learn to work with energies. Call in light beings.
• Whole work on who they are.

• Sound who they are.
• What do you want to be?

Dealing with Entities

• Call in Archangel Michael, Christ energy, God and send it into the light
• Any energies that are not for my highest good, leave now
• Torus field around us
• Boundary is nothing but light. Intense light

Example treatments

#1 Relaxation/ deep breaths and sound treatment

3 deep breaths and close eyes to fully relax from head to toes. I state intentions and ask for supreme guidance and assistance from Source along with protection. Audible body scan followed by inaudible body scan to check for any energy blockages.

Do 3 OM's together to get their nervous system online and energy moving throughout the body.

Focus: Combination of warm and calming tones with even harmonics along with a simple repetition of melody. Use of singing / toning AH's and OH's, harp, hang drum, crystal bowls, classical guitar, Native American flute, tongue drum, Koshi chimes and possibly a buffalo drum if they are stable.

Use of OM tuning forks (weighted on pressure points to clear CHI channels) and un-weighted for the energy field. Also try the Trithalmic duo tuning forks on each ear (111 hz & 112.45 hz) to help balance both sides of the brain and bring it back to center of balance.

#2 Transmutation & dissolve issue with visualization and sound

Have the subject find their issue somewhere in their body. Ask them to assign it a color. Have them picture the color ball of energy out in front of them. Explain that energy spins one of 2 ways (clockwise/counter clock-wise) and find out which way it is currently spinning. Prepare them to think of a healing tone or sound that will make the energy spin the opposite way and shrink down the issue (energy ball). Offer to assist and tone it with them once it is toned, if needed.

Next, have them see the color ball spinning in one direction. While toning the healing tone, tell them that this sound will spin the color ball the opposite way until it shrinks / dissolves down to the size of a penny.

Count to 3 and have them tone the sound they chose to shrink the issue. Once you see them holding the penny, you know it is shrunk down. Tell them that they will keep all the lessons it has manifested to teach you.

When they are ready, and if it is in their highest good for it to transmute and be gone out of their life, so it will be done. Instruct them to throw the penny sized energy ball over their shoulder never to be seen again as Gaia will transmute it.

We will then tone the sound of unconditional love to replace the issue and hold healing space there in the physical and energetic body.

Higher Perspective and Intuition

• What part can be reframed
• This isn’t a punishment - it’s a messenger, a teacher
• We have every answer within ourselves
• Whatever it is you need to teach me is OK

Homework

Ideas that the person can do on their own. 

• Meditation. Find guided meditations to help with being in balance and in tune with the mind / body / soul connection.  
• Yoga to get the body moving and quiet the mind.  
• Spend quality time with family making new memories together.  
• If they don't have a hobby, have them find one and create something.  
• Try to eat a plant based diet and drink alkaline water.
• Cut out sugar.
• Try singing or dancing everyday.
• Anything that will keep the person involved in the here and now mentality and create meaning and find happiness in the everyday.
• Ideas that the person can do on their own.  
• Create a playlist.
• Create a list of sounds to make and exercises to do when tempted.
• Think about Sound Healing as a lifestyle.
• Zoom yoga and groups online.

Treatments Other Than Sound

Techniques that you might add to the treatment. These techniques might also inspire new ways that you might also incorporate sound with them.

• Checkout the movie, “CrazyWise”
• No micro-dosing
• No Sami or Ormus
• Find and develop a Spiritual Practice

Ideas for Research Projects

• Find frequency of the receptor that is missing.
• Find the frequency of coline.  
• Maybe work on frequency of pituitary, hypothalamus.