Therapy through Art: How Doodling has Helped a Lupus Patient's Symptoms

Photo: "Moonlit Girl" by Doodler Dayang Norhidayah Ngah. Source: New Straits Times. https://assets.nst.com.my/images/articles/Moonlit_Girl.jpg_1507540189.jpg

According to Dayang, she was interested in doodling while browsing through social media. The works from some of the world-renowned artists managed to capture her attention. Back in 2014, she joined a Facebook group called Doodle Malaysia, and since then she became interested in the art of doodling and wanted to pursue it. 

Her doodles were mostly inspired by nature, evident in the floral elements depicted in her works. As someone who loves nature, she stated that she wants to be the voice of nature with the help of her art. So far, she was able to create almost a thousand doodles, with some of them as direct orders from her customers.

The question is: how was she able to seek therapy through doodling? What is the relation between art therapy and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus?

Art is more than just a fun pastime activity. It’s actually a known approach for treating symptoms associated with chronic conditions such as lupus [1]. In fact, various art therapy programs are implemented to help patients explore their own identity, particularly parts of them that are still brimming with strength. As a result, a lot of patients managed to overcome the challenges that come with the condition, eventually allowing them to restore some control and comfort in their lives.

There have been various studies looking into how beneficial art therapy could be for those with chronic conditions; however, it can be incredibly helpful for those with lupus [2]. As lupus brings unexpected discomforts, engaging in various art activities like doodling can help replace some of those lost freedoms and improve even those of the most distressing symptoms.