Towards the same goal from different ends: the use of arts in psychiatric practice

Abstract

Various artistic modalities are used as an alternative or supplementary treatment method in modern-day psychiatric practice. It has been shown that artistic activities are beneficial to patients as they provide a platform to open up and share the experiences, feelings, perceptions, views, and expectations of their lives with mental illnesses. Artistic activities can be used as a powerful tool to improve empathy not only in clinicians but also in patients by allowing them to view the world from a different perspective. Artistic modalities can be effectively used in mental health promotion and prevention when adopted by cultures. The ultimate goal of biologically driven psychiatric practice is to reduce the suffering due to mental illnesses, and the incorporation of non-pharma-cological treatment modalities like artistic activities can complement achieving the same target.