Pets as Depression Therapy
Pets as Depression Therapy – Best friends see you through think and thin, right? Well then, see how your pet can help you manage your depression in this video.
Expert: Barbara Bartlik, MD Certified Psychiatrist
Transcript
There’s no denying that playing with a puppy or a kitten can put a smile on almost anyone’s face.
But can owning a pet help manage depression?Research shows that the answer is a resounding YES. This is because pets offer not only physical comfort, but psychological comfort as well. The excitement a dog shows you in the morning, the affection he gives when you get home at night; it’s contagious. You can’t help but respond by improving your mood and playing with him.
When you’re PLAYING with him or walking him, your body releases endorphins that trigger positive feelings. Taking CARE of your pet also has mood-boosting bonuses: You get a sense of WORTH and PURPOSE from caring for another living being. You have a sense that you’re NEEDED. And you focus less on your problems. ALL of these things may help reduce depressed feelings.
Pets also relieve loneliness, which is important since depression and loneliness tend to go together as people withdraw from social interaction. Cats often become a person’s confidant. And dogs, which need to be walked several times a day, are a natural ice breaker, drawing you into conversations and providing a way to meet new people.
Other types of pets can also help boost your mood. Birds, hamsters, Guinea pigs, ferrets, turtles and even fish can do the trick. Research has even shown that gazing at an aquarium can help reduce muscle tension and pulse rate, two symptoms of depression and anxiety.
However, if you are not a pet person, getting one is NOT likely to help improve your mood. It may actually worsen the symptoms of depression, due to the increased stress and anxiety tied to taking care of an animal.
The idea to take away from this is not that you MUST get a pet, but that there are many enjoyable and effective ways to help upgrade your quality of life WHILE you are undergoing treatment for depression.
For more ideas on how to manage your depression, check out other videos in this series.
Last Modified: 2013-05-16
Category: Health and Nutrition, Videos
