Analogies between Heavy Metal Music and the Symptoms of Mental Illness

Abstract

This paper builds a link between isolated domains within the arts and sciences, specifically between music and psychiatry. An analogous model is presented that associates heavy metal music with bipolar disorder, a form of mental illness. Metal music consists of a variety of subgenres with distinct manifestations of song, rhythm, instrumentation, and vocal structure. These manifestations are analogous to the symptomatology of bipolar disorder, specifically the recurrent episodes of (hypo)mania and depression. Examples of songs are given which show these analogies. Besides creating a subjective link between apparently unconnected knowledge domains, these analogies could play a heuristic role in clinical applications and education about the disorder and mental illnesses at large.

Inadvertent sabotage: the novice nurse experience in caring for patients with a mental illness in medical-surgical settings

“…In their definition of overall health, The World Health Organization describes good mental health as fundamental, in that it provides people with the ability to realize their potential, cope with the stressors of life, work productively, and make contributions to their communities (Mental Health Action Plan, 2013). A person's experience of mental illness can be described as phenomenological, or a perceived reality, and as noumenological, or an intangible reality for those who are unaffected (Angeler, 2018).…”

Music therapy in the early detection and indicated prevention in persons at risk of bipolar disorders: State of knowledge and potential

“…There are four pieces of literature that consider the influence of music or music activity which are pertinent to the discussions about the connection between bipolarity and creativity noted above. Within theoretical discourses, Angeler (2018) addresses analogies between heavy metal music and bipolar disorder, and Schriewer and Bulaj (2016) discuss the use of music streaming services as adjunct therapies within bipolar disorder. The following authors provide empirical data: Lim et al (2013) showed that during an interview, inpatients experiencing a manic episode were more willing to sing on demand than inpatients who had schizophrenia, and the study of Choppin et al (2016) concerned emotional hyper-reactivity in bipolar disorder (see above).…”

The experiences of metal fans with mental and developmental disorders in the metal music community

“…Lastly, just as the lyrical themes and musicians help form a more understanding cultural environment for someone with mental illness or developmental disabilities, so does the actual structure of metal music. As highlighted by Angeler (2018), people frequently draw parallels between the structures of heavy metal compositions and the symptoms of their disorder. For example, a song with many drastic musical changes can be likened by a person with bipolar disorder to how it feels to experience the highs and lows of being bipolar.…”