Music for distraction or expression?

[falling inside]

When I feel down, and when my SI thoughts are bad, I tend to listen to certain songs. They are the songs that express my emotions better than I can myself, so it's an outlet in that way.

I keep thinking maybe I should instead be listening to more "upbeat" music at that time to pull myself out of it, to try and distract myself, but never manage to do it.

So the question is...when you feel awful, does listening to music pick up your mood or do you use it to express what you feel, or something all together different?

[Spidey]

A little of both. There are certain songs that I play when I feel badly, too, but I usually hear them in order to reflect on my thoughts. Sometimes it picks up my mood, too.

When things get too bad and I can't cope with thoughts, I do listen to music that I know will put a smile on my face.

[treasure]

when i feel crap, upbeat music can upset me... i listen to music a lot and i might select a song to express myself but that also validates my feelings which can make my feelings less out-of-control and lift my mood.

[mallie]

Often I'll listen to things that resonate with me when I'm in a particular mood and that can help me feel less alone in how I'm feeling. More like my feelings are normal and they are okay. I don't listen to them because they express things for me, but rather just that they feel right at the time.

Like treasure said, I can also find upbeat music to be a problem when I'm particularly down, but I think this would vary person to person.

[falling inside]

I think you're all right about the upbeat thing, I just can't seem to do it at the moment, it doesn't feel right.

I kind of found a compromise today though, slightly upbeat music with down lyrics. Since a couple of you are also from Australia you've probably heard of the Waifs. I was listening to Company and Shelter Me more or less contantly today. I had them up really loud to try and drown out the thoughts going through my head (they're getting harder to drown out at the moment though, so I keep having to turn the music up louder).

Shelter Me
Well I've decided no one's knowing
Anything 'bout where I'm going
I can't even talk to my friends anymore
I'm not blaming anyone for the mess I've gotten in
I'm only frightened by the things that I've done

Keep me safe from myself
I can't do it without your help
Your love's the finest thing that I've ever known
I want to come home

Thinking back when I was young
You kept me safe from everything
Set me straight when I went wrong
Raised me to respect myself
I can offer no excuse for this senseless self abuse
All the pain that I've caused you to feel
When I hurt myself, it hurts you more
And that's what hurts me most of all
We shouldn't go on hurting any more