Anna is a very talented 20 year old young woman who recently performed on America’s Got Talent 2014. Her singing was just beautiful and you could hear the raw emotion in her voice.
Being on this big stage was quite something for her – she’s been suffering from anxiety and depression since she was 16. A few months ago she was bedridden and having panic attacks. She said: “my mind had given up on me. I didn’t see a future. I didn’t want to be here anymore and I felt so bad about myself.”
She was able to turn things around dramatically with therapy and music.
During her audition, judge Howie Mandel shared: “I also suffer from an anxiety disorder – I have OCD.” He also said: “There isn’t anyone alive who doesn’t need help at some time and the world is here for you.” After her song, Howie was very kind and went and hugged her. He also said this: “life is filled with peaks and valleys, you have experienced a lot of valleys. Tonight, young lady, you are on a peak.”
I would have to agree and I’d like to say “bravo Anna!” Watch her performance here….
I’ve got three other comments on this: the stigma of mental health, the wonderful effects of music for mood and encouragement to look in to the powerful effects of food and nutrients.
The stigma of mental health
I commend her for being open about her anxiety and depression. There is a great deal of stigma around mental illness but I had no idea how bad it was. I was very surprised to see all the cruel and insensitive comments on the youtube video. Here is one example:
Couldn’t leave her bed? What a joke. You didn’t see this kind this stuff 50 years ago. It was called responsibility and accountability. She was obviously validated and enabled by her parents. Society today substantiates this crap. It’s called life, and everybody has challenges and feeling they need to overcome, get over it. I bet she’s drawing a nice little social security disability check, too. Its pretty sad that she has such self pity. She is very attractive, talented, not overweight, racially advantaged, has loving parents. She needs to visit a children’s cancer ward or burn ward and get a grip as to how truly blessed she is.
I say this to Anna: “Just ignore these naysayers. You did good and the more of us who talk about it the more awareness we’ll bring.”
The wonderful effects of music for mood
In a 2009 paper called The effect of group music therapy on quality of life for participants living with a severe and enduring mental illness
A 10-week group music therapy project was designed to determine whether music therapy influenced quality of life and social anxiety for people with a severe and enduring mental illness living in the community. Ten one-hour weekly sessions including song singing, song writing and improvisation, culminated in each group recording original song/s in a professional studio.
This is what they found:
music therapy gave joy and pleasure, working as a team was beneficial, participants were pleasantly surprised at their creativity, and they took pride in their song.
A 2014 study called Possible benefits of singing to the mental and physical condition of the elderly, reported that the study participants felt:
refreshed, comfortable, light-hearted, relieved, and relaxed, they felt less tense and confused and their mood improved. The level of cortisol, a salivary stress marker, decreased after singing. The same tendencies were shown regardless of whether or not the subjects liked singing ! (this is my exclamation point)
I say this to Anna: “Good for you for finding music! I wish you all the best in AGT 2014!”
The powerful effects of food and nutrients
I would also like to encourage Anna and anyone with anxiety and depression to look in to the powerful effects of food and nutrients. Here are just a few of the topics we covered on the recent Anxiety Summit:
- Dr. Felice Jacka – Principal Research Fellow at Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia: “The research: food for the treatment and prevention of anxiety and depression?”
- Julie Matthews – Certified Nutrition Consultant and author of award winning book, Nourishing Hope for Autism: “BioIndividual Nutrition for Anxiety: How special diets and avoiding certain foods can Support individuals with anxiety.”
- Mira Dessy – Certified Nutrition Educator, Real Food Advocate, and author of The Pantry Principle: “How additives in your food can make you anxious.”
- Amanda Swart – Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Stellenbosch University, South Africa: “Rooibos: a functional food in the management of stress“
- Julia Ross, MFT – Pioneer in the field of Neuro-nutrient Therapy and the author of the best sellers The Mood Cure and The Diet Cure: “Eliminating Anxiety: Amino Acid Therapy and Adrenal Balancing.”
I say this to Anna: “I’d like to encourage you explore these and other biochemical approaches – so you can have zero anxiety and depression.”
And I say this to Howie: “I’d like to encourage you to also explore these and other biochemical approaches for eliminating your OCD.” In this blog post about Charlize Theron I talk about how GABA, tryptophan, 5-HTP and/or inositol can end OCD and obsessive thoughts and behaviors.
I am musically “challenged” and can’t sing to save my life so while this is all very interesting to me, it’s not something I have experienced first hand. I’d love to hear from you.
Do you sing or play a musical instrument? How does it make you feel? Does it help with anxiety, depression, stress?
It is so wonderful that Anna – despite having depression and anxiety and (I assume) performance anxiety or stage fright – took this step and performed on national TV and also allowed her anxiety story to be shared. This will change many lives for the better, all the young people who see her and her courage and strength and who also suffer with anxiety and depressions may be inspired to move forward in their own lives, take steps in a positive direction.
She has a beautiful voice, good guitar technique, and her performance was moving …and way too short! So glad you posted this Trudy…
I’m a music teacher and classical music performer. I chose to get back to teaching and performing music after almost 15 years in another profession. I recently attended a music conservatory and completed my masters in music teaching & performance – returning as an older student – because I have experienced, many times, the power of music to heal, to draw people closer together, to break down barriers and create moments of deep connection, happiness, satisfaction, accomplishment, artistic & musical beauty …and fun! And I want to open these doors for others, children …and adults who may have missed out on great musical experiences as a child.
It is my life’s dream to keep the art of live music-making alive in our families, with our neighbors, and in our hometowns & communities. We can not only be passive listeners of music on CDs and MP3s, we can each make our own music and be active, participatory musicians. Singing or playing an instrument is a powerful way to connect with others. We, as human beings, are hard-wired to be musical, we are musical beings! All of us! Musical instruction should be available to any person who wants it. Making music together is a gift of which we can all partake: moms and dads with their kids, adults who missed out on lessons as a child, seniors in community orchestras, adults rehearsing for Saturday night contra & square dances, community choirs, and live, local music as an essential part of small, hometown celebrations …as well as national TV shows with people like the awesome, OCD-guy, Howie Mandell.
I recently discovered that I probably have pyroluria by finding your website, reading your book and following the recommendations. I am not at all afraid of public speaking, in fact, I am very confident & secure when presenting (speaking) to large groups of people. But, what I do suffer from is performance anxiety, or stage fright, as a musician. Go figure! Put me onstage for an audition or a concert or performance – with my instrument in hand – and I inwardly freeze, experiencing all the agonizing physical and mental symptoms of social anxiety. After the first movement begins, and I am off and running, the anxiety lessens and eventually melts away.
I am so hopeful that healing pyroluria will lessen or remove my fear of public musical performance. (Maybe taking extra B6 & zinc or tryptophan before a performance – a time of great stress – will help me.) Can you research this for us professional musicians?
I know how scary it must have been for Anna to do what she did. Brava to her! She performed with great focus, ability and beauty. What a courageous young woman! In front of millions! Thanks for sharing this clip with us, Trudy!
…and yes, singing is one thing I use to calm myself, to still nervous thoughts and to just plain feel better. I collect rounds and canons and often sing them, as well as folk songs I learned as a child, and hymns, oh, and show tunes (the music from “Mary Poppins” and “My Fair Lady” – I could Have Danced All Night – are this summer’s favorites. Julie Andrews, what a voice, and I get to sing duets with her!)
If I am nervous or sad or worried, I sing. I breathe deeply …and I sail my voice away to the wind. My heart relaxes. If I can’t get to sleep, I sing or hum a lullabye. It really works, not just for little babies, but for us adults, too.
Hi Laura
How wonderful that you have chosen to get back to teaching and performing music after almost 15 years in another profession. What a lovely mission you have!
I’m so pleased music helps you so much. If the pyroluria protocol eliminate the performance anxiety, I’d suggest looking at all the other components of anxiety – caffeine, gluten, all grains, low serotonin, low GABA, high cortisol etc
Trudy
I’m glad that she was able to step up for herself and to showcase her talent, too. It takes courage to overcome anxiety and depression, and what she did showed great courage. As for the naysayer, a healthy dose of compassion might be in order. “There but by the grace of God….”
I love this – a healthy dose of compassion might be in order! – yeah!
I think the reason “You didn’t see this kind this stuff 50 years ago” is in a large part because our food was very different only 50 years ago.
Thank you for spreading awareness about this, Trudy!
So many people don’t realize that even just a few small changes in their diet can make all the difference in the world.
Love & Prosperity,
PJ
—–
PJ Van Hulle
Real Prosperity, Inc.
“Have Fun. Do Good. Make Money.”
this is so true….So many people don’t realize that even just a few small changes in their diet can make all the difference in the world.
Hi Trudy,
Well, when my glasses can stop steaming up. Wow! Thank you for sharing that. As a parent myself of a young person who has gone through debilitating anxiety, it was just awesome to watch this young lady step out there. And, of course, I knew exactly what her parents were feeling. Every time I watch my son on stage (he’s in Marin Shakespeare Company’s AS YOU LIKE IT RIGHT NOW and has a solo), my heart just flips. It has so much to do with knowing what he’s gone through to be where he is today. Here is my blog about the book I’m writing about his recovery: http://www.voicesfromthevillage.com
Thank you for the work you do.
Sally
Sally
So pleased you enjoyed this – quite remarkable isn’t she?
The book you’re writing about your son looks amazing! you must be so so proud of him!
Trudy
Thank you Trudy!
This is an absolutely moving video and I love that you are helping people figure out what their bodies need to eat. I too have suffered from depression and anxiety and that is almost completely gone now that I have cleaned up my diet! I spent a lot of time and energy figuring out what to eat, it would have been so nice to have someone like you to guide me along the way.
Rose – so pleased you enjoyed it! and well done for cleaning up your diet and finding solutions for your depression and anxiety
Trudy, I actually read recently that *singing* is one of the best things we can all do for ourselves. Even if it’s off key and in the shower with no audience but the dog it really *is* a good idea to “make a joyful noise.” Thanks for sharing this lovely story. I am sorry about the nay-sayers out there and I hope this young woman ignores them.
Thanks Mary Ellen – now I’m inspired to sing in the shower even if it will be off key!
To the comment “Couldn’t leave her bed? What a joke. You didn’t see this kind this stuff 50 years ago.” I beg to differ! This person is obviously lucky enough not to have this in their family tree, but for those who do, like me, I hear the stories, they didn’t have diagnosis for it back then, so people had to suffer in silence and shame.
Thanks for sharing Jessica
Lovely Trudy! This is a great post! As a singer I am both inspired by music and healed as I sing. I find that music soothes my mind and shuts off my reasoning when I’m anxious and often stops me from over thinking! It’s a tremendous release both to sing and hear music. Thanks for sharing this!
Hi Amma Jo
So super to see you here commenting! I love that you mention how both the singing and the hearing of music heals and inspires.
Your music is tremendously inspiring, uplifting and healing – and it’s not just the music. With your songs, it’s also the lyrics that are so beautiful too! I just love “No Stopping me now” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ll7iGbg0sw) and am so glad we met after your amazing SHINE performance.
I’m SO SO excited about our upcoming plans….
Trudy
Thank you for sharing your perspective on this Trudy. I really like how you added some of the studies behind the benefits of music therapy.
People need to know:
(1) these issues are not just make-believe, they are real and are often devastatingly painful for those struggling with them and those who love them
(2) there is REAL SCIENCE behind how to help and support them
(3) for those who struggle to understand that not everyone judges them and they should ignore those who do (sadly easy to say and hard to do)
Thank you for being such an advocate and talented practitioner in support of those who struggle with anxiety and other neurobiological issues.
Mira
Thank you for your wonderful comments. I especially like this: “for those who struggle: understand that not everyone judges them and they should ignore those who do.”
I’m hoping performances and videos (and blog posts) like this will bring more awareness and compassion.
Trudy
Thank you, Trudy, for sharing that very moving America’s Got Talent video!
The reader, Laura, who commented about musical performance anxiety may be interested in the book, “The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life” by Rosamund and Benjamin Zander. Benjamin is the conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, his wife is a therapist. Together they have written about how to become passionate communicators and performers. I haven’t read it yet but I believe it may offer you some great ideas.
So glad you enjoyed it Linda! And thanks for sharing that book for Laura. I’m going to have to check it out too.
Loved your comments Trudy, especially those directed towards Anna’s situation.
I can’t hold a tune myself, and I love singing, especially in the car where no one else can hear. In tune or not I think singing lowers stress. I’m guessing it is the change in the breathing patterns, the change of focus from internal to external to stay with the song, and the sheer experience of speaking out truths with music. Sing your heart out has many applications.
Thanks for sharing here Teresa – I can’t hold a tune myself. It’s so strange, I can hear the song in my head and can sing in tune in my head but as soon as I open my mouth to sing out loud it’s quite horrible! But now I feel inspired to sing when I’m alone.
Also, I just love this: “sing your heart out”!
Trudy
What a great post and conversation with the comments that follow. Anxiety, depression and mental health issues whether contributed to food or not are a serious part of our modern society and indeed should be met with compassion and kindness. Too often people are desensitised and lacking compassion. Music and dance are indeed gifts for the heart, mind and soul
I agree Heidi – we need more compassion and kindness.
I just love this: “Music and dance are indeed gifts for the heart, mind and soul” – what a beautiful way to put it!
Trudy
Trudy,
Thank you for sharing this inspirational story and videos.
Clearly you struck a chord based upon the other comments I have read through.
Dear Linda,
Thanks for recommending, “The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life” by Rosamund and Benjamin Zander. I’ll get right on it and I appreciate the thought!
BTW, Trudy, I’ve recently read that GABA can not only create calmness and relaxation but that it can be used PRIOR to a stressful event to lessen the anxiety and physical symptoms and reactions (I think I read it in Julia Ross’s, The Mood Cure – – thanks for recommending her books…) Would this apply to performance anxiety prior to going onstage – have you read/heard of it being used in this fashion by performers? Many musicians I know use beta-blockers (do beta-blockers stop/dampen the physical effects of adrenaline?), not an ideal solution, but quite common.
Laura
Hi Laura
Absolutely! GABA is fabulous for stressful events like performances. I was not aware that musicians used beta-blockers and I would pick GABA over this type of medication which can cause headaches, fatigue and digestive issues (http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/in-depth/beta-blockers/art-20044522?pg=2).
Here is the amino acid questionnaire to help you figure out if low GABA may be the issue https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/amino-acids-mood-questionnaire-from-the-antianxiety-food-solution/
The big clue is the physical anxiety.
I recommend that my clients try the GABA on a day when they’re not performing and start with the lowest dose of 125mg (I like GABA Calm by Source Naturals) as 500mg is often way too high.
Trudy
Thanks for citing that research about singing lowering cortisol. I came across your post while doing a little research for my upcoming retreat and online classes on self-care strategies for managing anxiety. (I practice Chinese Medicine/ acupuncture and teach qigong, meditation, yoga,lifestyle and diet, etc.) We know that the breath is the bridge between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems — it can switch us from fight-flight-freeze to rest-and-digest modes. And singing is essentially a breathing exercise with a sound component. I often incorporate chanting into my classes, and most people report feeling both relaxed and kind of euphoric after chanting for even 10 or 15 minutes, even if it’s outside their comfort zone. Anyway, thanks for a great post!
Hi Brodie
How wonderful to hear about the breath-singing connection! It’s also great to hear about the chanting and how effective it is. I’d love to hear more about your upcoming retreat – please feel free to share info here
Trudy
What an uplifting story about Anna. You Tube commenters are just plain mean when it comes to women online, everything about them is up for debate 🙁
Using music to create a place of calm and wellbeing is something I do for one of my daughters, and I guess singing enables Anna to find her calm too
Hi Sarah
Glad you enjoyed it! So glad to hear you use music to create a place of calm and wellbeing for one of your daughters.
Trudy
Trudy,
You made such wonderful points in this post. The healing effects of music can offer such calming moment to address anxiety. It doesn’t matter how talented and beautiful you are, you can still suffer! Thanks for mentioning that people still are suffering because of the stigma of mental health issue. Let’s hope we can help make that go away soon.
Trudy, thanks for all your wonderful nutritional advice and support you give. You help so many find valid information they need so they no longer have to suffer.
Marilyn – Yes I hope we can remove the stigma. I want people to think of mental health issues just like when someone has a broken leg. It’s not your fault, you’re not weak or pathetic – something is broken and we need to fix it. This is especially the case when so much anxiety and depression can be healed and even prevented with things like music and food and nutrients like zinc and GABA.
This is such an inspiring story about Anna. I am glad that she stepped out on faith and did her performance. How awesome is that.
I know, very inspiring!
Thank you for the great article Trudy! I am actually one of those super sensitive people, and environment, and definitely food can make me feel very anxious. The opposite of course is also true: with the right food and environment I feel great. Lately I have also joined a women’s singing circle, and it’s been one of the best experiences of my life! Thank you for talking about these things, they’re vital to our happiness and well-being 🙂
Hi Julia
I’m so pleased to hear you feel great with the right food and environment! I do too!
I love the idea of a women’s singing circle – how lovely! Since I am not musical myself I had no idea something like this even existed.
Trudy
I agree with Jessica – my family tree is riddled with all kinds of mental illness and although they were told not to talk about it, or to “get over it” it didn’t fix it.
Many of my family members suffered their whole lives with mental illness and they were never told that it is okay to be different or supported in any way that would be considered helpful… 50 years ago they gave out electric shock therapy and lobotomies like candy. That most certainly didn’t help!
It isn’t about pushing through or pulling up your bootstraps to cover it up and move on.
I say let’s embrace our differences and celebrate each other so that we can support one another in each of our journeys.
Wow Angela
That’s so sad that your family members were never told that it is okay to be different or supported in any way that would be considered helpful. I’m with you on embracing our differences and celebrating each other.
I’m also all about offering solutions so we can feel our absolute best all the time. And sharing the power of food and nutrients for anxiety and depression. Thank goodness we no longer have lobotomies. Unfortunately ECT is still used http://www.webmd.com/depression/guide/electroconvulsive-therapy. And I think one day the medical community will look back and agree how bad so many drugs are, especially the benzodiazapines.
Trudy
Love it!!! It is truly moving when the positive outcomes are expressed and shared to give inspiration to everyone else.
A) We realize we don’t have it so bad and
B) Encouragement for other experiencing a similar situation.
Thanks so much for sharing!
Renae
So glad you find this inspiring Renae!
Dear Trudy
I’m so grateful for your work, teaching us so much and enjoy receiving your newsletters too. My question is related to music, singing & speaking and not directly to anxiety about singing. Although, this has become a by-product of my problem.
Do you have any recommendations for voice problems? I am a singer and have had times during my career where my voice (also speaking voice) sounds hoarse & raspy although I haven’t overused it at all. I’m not sure if it’s from GERD or if it’s neurological.
To be honest I’m getting weary of doctors. They tell me my vocal chords are in good shape. And ENT doctors will probably only prescribe antacids. Although I don’t have stomach problems, (except for bloating & a sour taste in my mouth) I’m suspecting reflux problems. From what I’ve read, the main cause of reflux ailments is LACK of acid not too much acid, and doctors are making people worse.
Speaking with a hoarse and weak voice and singing are very stressful. In addition, this problem has created anxiety for me. It went away for 2 years and has recently returned. During that time I tried to stay away from gluten. Not sure how long it would take to clear up if I abstain from gluten again.
I live in Europe so any recommendations or suggestions you might have to help me over here would be greatly appreciated! Thank you for helping so many people!
Natalie
Natalie
I’m going to point you to this blog on focal musician’s dystonia (https://www.everywomanover29.com/blog/pyroluria-focal-musicians-dystonia/) – read the comments/discussion from Linda about her voice issues and let me know if any of this resonates.
Also if gluten-free has helped in the past I would go gluten-free again. Also you say “I don’t have stomach problems, (except for bloating & a sour taste in my mouth)” – this needs to be addressed + the reflux
Dear Trudy, thank you so much for your prompt reply and also for the info re: SD. I am already aware of SD and am grateful that I do not have it.
Could you please tell me what your supplementation or other recommendations would be for reflux problems? Are you aware of silent reflux? I do not have any problems other that what I mentioned above so therefore, perhaps it’s silent reflux. It feels like a tightness or slight choking feeling in my throat when I’m speaking. Also some of the words get cut off. Of course it’s worse when I am stressed about it. I try to eat small frequent meals not only in the event that it’s a reflux problem, but also for hypoglycemia.
I would be so happy to have my ‘old’ voice back. Thank you for whatever advice you might be able to offer me & others!
Natalie
Gluten is a big factor with reflux so I’d start there. I would also encourage you to do the pyroluria questionnaire (worse when stressed) – the same nutrients may help. With physical tightness I always think GABA.