Art therapy in nursing
Art therapy in nursing

Summary/Abstract: Illness, emotions, art and therapy – is there a connection between them? Is there a significant bond betweennursing and art therapy and if there is one, how can we put it in practice?The belief that the mind plays an important role in physical illness goes back to the earliest days of medicine.New molecular and pharmacological tools have made it possible to identify the network that exists between theimmune system and the brain, and allows the two system to signal each other continuously and rapidly. Disruptionof this communication in any way exacerbates the diseases that the immune system guards against. Itis getting clear now for scientists how signals from the immune system can affect the brain and the emotionaland physical responses it controls: the molecular basis of feeling sick. In all this, the boundaries between mindand body are beginning to blur.The significance of these findings seems promising to extend the range of therapeutic treatments available forvarious disorders.Nursing, as identified with keeping care for the patients during the process of healing, is facing the challengeto create and maintain a relationship with the patients. And this unity between nurses and patients should bebuilt on the base of commitment, compassion, good will and empathy. The art of nursing is the heart of caring.It is obvious in recent years, that there are great benefits in asking patients to connect themselves in any kind ofart therapy. Artistic expression is an activity that involves the brain in ways that can be used to enhance therapeutictreatment and evaluation.This article is showing that there is a bond between illness and emotions, and that art therapeutic methods canbe used in nursing, in order to achieve better results in the process of healing.Using art therapeutic methods in nursing practice gives a way to improve the well-being of the patients, to createa relationship filled with empathy, courage and compassion.

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