Pets and Mental Health!

smysullivan(62)

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#challenge30

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500

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3 min

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Mental Health

Living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be challenging. There are a few benefits of having pets for those of us with PTSD. Some days my anxiety, stress, and anger can be so bad I can not move. Other days the result in panic attacks. Can animals be helpful in living with mental health problems?

Dogs and Mental Health

However more research is needed to see if there really is evidence as to if dogs can really help in treating PTSD. Being I live in a house where there is a dog right now. This is my wife's sister's dog, yet benefits I get from having her around: when I start feeling stressed out I can always have a reason and a companion willing to go for a walk. Sometimes when I'm the only one at home, it is nice to have a companion around to not feel so alone.

Research has shown that the hormone oxytocin levels tend to increase through bonding with dogs. This hormone is released when bonding in social aspects basically, it can also intensify memories of bonding, whether positive or negative bonding occurred.

Cats and Mental Health

Since I meet my wife we have had a few cats, they are so cute. They have also been known to help people with PTSD. For me it seems they are always nudging me when I'm stressed out or angry, sometimes just the little effort they show breaks the anger or stress. For me it seems they know just how much effort they need to do in order to help out, they also know quickly whether or not they are going to be effective. Seems that just interacting with animals not only increases oxytocin, but it also can increase serotonin and dopamine as well, which both help our mood.

I did learn that cats can be considered emotional support animals (ESA), to be completely qualified as an ESA you do need documentation from a mental health professional. Official animals that are ESA can be protected under the Fair Housing Act!

Owning cats leads to a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases that you do not get from owning dogs.

Conclusion

I find just the simplest of interactions with my animals has been some of the best therapy. They seem to be present at the worst of times when I need something to break my concentration from the stress or the anxiety. My little cats help by hitting their little heads softly against me until I start petting them, which helps get my mind off of what ever is bothering me.

I wrote this as part of the 30 day writing challenge by @dragosroua. Due to life issues I missed a day or two recently not because of writing, I was burned out by the days activities!