Can having a pet really help depression?
Depression is a mental health condition in which the patient has severe prolonged feelings of isolation, hopelessness, sorrow and in most cases, suicidal thoughts.Depression effects around 121million people each year, and is responsible for 850,000 deaths each year. Depression can last for years and sometimes go unnoticed, which unfortunately, can lead to the person committing suicide, and not having a chance to fully recover with the right help.
Symptoms of depression can be:
Ongoing low moodContinuous low self esteemFeelings of helplessnessGuiltSuicidal ThoughtsSelf-harmLow/no motivationLack of energy/lethargy Less/no sleepNo interest in hobbies/having fun Being socially withdrawnFeeling useless
There are many treatments given to someone suffering with depression, from therapy, anti-depressants and to people with severe depression, being taken into a home to be cared for with 24hour supervision.All of these treatments are given by the NHS in the UK, and private therapists all around the world. But have we thought about a simple “lift me up?”
Pets have been proven to reduce blood pressure and temporarily relieve stress, in a lot of cases it has been advised that with people suffering with depression, usually cases where the patient has mild depression, that they invest in a pet. Animals in whom you care for, give off many positive attributes to everyday life, and they don’t even realize they are doing it!
Pets can:- Give you a feeling of love and companionship (Helping with symptoms of isolation)
- When caring for a pet, you need to be active in playing with it and feeding it, this activity is great for someone suffering with depression. (Helping with symptoms of lethargy)
- Give you something to care for and nurture (Helping with symptoms of uselessness)
- Take your mind off things you are worrying about by being constantly preoccupied (Helping relieve symptoms of suicidal thoughts and self-harm)
If you are struggling with depression, please contact these numbers for advice and information
United Kingdom
- Rethink
Support and advice for people living with mental illness.
Phone: 0300 5000 927
Website: www.rethink.org - Depression Alliance
Charity for sufferers of depression. Has a network of self-help groups.
Website: www.depressionalliance.org - CALM
CALM is The Campaign against Living Miserably, for men aged 15-35.
Website: www.thecalmzone.net - MDF: the bipolar organisation
A charity helping people living with manic depression or bipolar disorder.
Website: www.mdf.org.uk - Samaritans
Confidential support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair.
Phone: 08457 90 90 90 (24-hour helpline)
Website: www.samaritans.org.uk - Sane
Charity offering support and carrying out research into mental illness.
Phone: 0845 767 8000 (daily, 6pm-11pm)
SANEmail email: [email protected]
Website: www.sane.org.uk - Mind
Promotes the views and needs of people with mental health problems.
Phone: 0300 123 3393
Website: www.mind.org.uk - The Mental Health Foundation
Provides information and support for everyone with mental health problems or learning disabilities.
Website: www.mentalhealth.org.uk - YoungMinds
Information on child and adolescent mental health. Services for parents and professionals.
Phone: Parents' helpline 0808 802 5544
Website: www.youngminds.org.uk - PAPYRUS
Young suicide prevention society.
Phone: HOPElineUK 0800 068 4141
Website: www.papyrus-uk.org
USA
1-800-784-2433
1-800-273-8255
If you would like information on a specific mental health issue, email me at [email protected] and I will be sure to feature your request in my next blog.
