Playing the Piano Affects My Schizoaffective Disorder Positively

Playing the piano affects my schizoaffective disorder in a very positive way. Let me tell you how my piano playing soothes my schizoaffective disorder.

My Schizoaffective Disorder Is Soothed By Piano Playing

Right now, this schizoaffective is playing four songs on the piano—“Across the Universe” and “Here Comes the Sun” by the Beatles, "River" by Joni Mitchell, and a song I made up that I call “Quickbeam.” (I’m not yet confident enough to say I “composed” it.)

Playing the piano helps my schizoaffective disorder because I’m not just doing something to pass the time, although it is excellent for that–I’m learning a skill. And learning new skills is good for your brain.

I want to share with you how I got my new piano. My little brother, John (he’s 36), got it for me for Christmas. It was a total surprise. It was probably the most generous gift I’ve ever received.

Playing the piano is definitely in my toolbox for soothing my schizoaffective disorder and my anxiety. When I’m stressed out—and if you follow this blog, you know that anxiety covers much of my constant state of being—making music calms me down. It gives me something to focus on, and it makes me forget myself. Last but not least, it’s fun.

How Playing the Piano Versus Listening to Music Affects My Schizoaffective Disorder

Listening to music has always meant so much to me, to the point that I have go-to albums for de-stressing, like Scarlet’s Walk by Tori Amos and Saltbreakers by Laura Veirs. I’ve always intensely admired people with the ability to create good music. But the reason my brother got me the piano is that, when I was a tween, I took piano lessons and, he claims, I was so good it influenced him to study music at the University of Iowa and then move out to California to be near our brother, Billy, and teach piano. He also plays the drums in a band.

I respect pianists like John, Tori Amos, Regina Spektor, and Vanessa Carlton so much more now that I’m playing the piano myself again. I used to judge other famous pianists for not measuring up to Tori Amos and that even included Paul McCartney and John Lennon. Well, they may not be as good as Tori, but I’m leagues away from playing anywhere as well as they all are. So, I guess the lesson becomes, before you judge other people for what they do, try doing it yourself.

I’m not looking to be a professional pianist—I’m already a professional writer. Honestly, I’m not even looking to be a good pianist, although, not to brag, I’m not bad. It’s music therapy for me. Piano playing affects my schizoaffective disorder positively, and for now, that’s enough.

In my video, I talk specifically about how creativity positively affects my schizoaffective disorder, and I even play the piano a little bit.