The purpose of this study was to find the efficacy of Mandala art therapy that decreases depression and physical symptoms to whom attempted suicide.
The researched patient was 63 years old man, and had family of his wife, one son, and three daughters. Since 2001, he was hospitalized and discharged several times, and attempted suicide on March 2005. Around July 2006, he had left paralysis caused of cerebral infarction, and it worsens his depression. With protector’s consent, he was hospitalized in September 27, 2006. As he was in the hospital, he was treated with art therapy program, which consisted of 19 sessions, two times a week with one hour duration at the workroom. This therapy continued from Feb. 2, 2007 to April 11, 2007.
I searched MMPI profile change before and after Mandala art therapy. The depression level and physical symptoms changed through out the art therapy session. The depression level showed positive change from 2-1-7-3 with 75 points on 2 scales in pre-MMPI profiles to 0-2-3-7 with 66 points 2 scales in post-MMPI profiles. Additionally, physical symptoms decreased from 66 points 1 scales in pre-MMPI profiles to 47 points 1 scales in post-MMPI profiles. He was satisfied with the art therapy program, which supported him to share his feelings with the artwork. From this study, Mandala art therapy showed the effective and positive results of decreasing depression level and changing physical symptoms to depression patient.
Key Words : Depression, Physical Symptoms, Mandala Art Therapy