Monday, May 7, 2018

Water Color Painting Therapy With Jo Ann Danchik

By Dorothy Hughes


Alzheimer and dementia are two rather sensitive subjects to discuss on any level especially considering the kind separation and emotional distress that they can cause on families, loved ones, and even the suffering patient. Although the is no cure for either of these conditions and doctors simply try to minimize their effects by prescribing specific medications, some that work and some that don t. However, Jo Ann Danchik says that in the midst of all this hopelessness something that seems to be shining small beams of sun rays of hope is the use of center painting therapy as a form of bringing patients with Alzheimer moments of joy and peace.

This, of course, has meant an increase in the search of finding new ways of self-expression, with most seeking out artistic ways of expression. This is sometimes done through art in various forms. One such art form is the use of poetry and written word. Where the artist simply puts their feelings, thoughts, emotions, and ideas into words. This can be done by either telling a story or through the use of inference.

The addition of water colours is a form of psychological programming. Colours are a brain stimulus that is taken in through sight. Using colour helps the individual to associate feelings to specific colours and as such attach them to certain aspects of their memory. Often when a traumatic event or situation occurs it is the brain s default to protect itself from the feeling linked to that particular event. This is when you will find cases of temporary dementia after a traumatic incident, where people report not being able to recall specific details or occurrences within their story. This is because the brain has decided to supress those emotions and thoughts in an attempt to protect the person from the pain and fear they experienced.

Colour has been shown to have a specific positive effect on the brain. With certain colors accessing certain parts of the brain and releasing certain chemicals. Bright colors such as pink and yellow signal joy and life, while colors such as red may signal danger or blood. Darker colors such as black or navy blue are symbols of more ambient and gloomier scenes.

This is where painting as a therapy form really shines through. It allows the individual a pressure less environment to heal from the trauma they have endured while giving them the tools to also process what has happened to them. Most therapists fear that individuals who have had traumatic events happen to them struggle to process the occurrence.

Now, back to the use of water painting as an expression of emotion. The ancient art of painting dates back centuries ago, with the Mayans and their ancient paintings and the Egyptians and their hieroglyphics paintings as an expression have been going on forever. The uses of color paint are specifically therapeutic in that is uses color as a method of expression.

The basis for the disagreement stems from the fact that when trauma occurs people react to it in differing ways. While some people tend to want to spill their guts and share all the for details some people prefer to bottle it in. Which within itself is not a healthy alternative. The presentation of art therapy means that those individuals who feel less inclined to discuss their traumas have a fun, less invasive outlet of getting their feeling out.

Our emotions are bound to come out, no matter how hard we try to bottle them up and store them away. Using art is truly an inspiring way to let those feelings and emotions out in a way that can help others too.




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