Animals are extremely helpful for people recovering from severe mental health conditions. A new meta-analysis looked at 17 academic papers drawn from nine medical databases. As a result, researchers found evidence that having a pet benefits people with mental health conditions.
The papers looked at how cats, dogs, hamsters, finches, and even goldfish affected the mental well-being of people living with a mental illness. Overall, the review found that Animals helped the participants to manage their emotions. In addition, it distracted them from the symptoms of their mental health condition.
For example, a 2016 study at the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom involved 54 participants. All of them had been diagnosed with severe mental illnesses, such as depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder.
As a result, 60 percent of participants placed a pet in their most important circle of supportive connections. Furthermore, about half of the participants said that Animals helped them manage their illness and everyday life. Having Animals also gave them a strong sense of identity, self-worth, and meaning. Moreover, Animals distracted them from symptoms like hearing voices, suicidal thoughts, or rumination.
Moreover, caring for a pet also gave owners a feeling of being in control. Plus, it gave them a sense of security and routine.
One participant said, “When I was so depressed, I was kind of suicidal. The thing that made me stop was wondering what the rabbits would do. That was the first thing I thought of … I can’t leave because the rabbits need me.”
“Animals provided a unique form of validation through unconditional support, which they were often not receiving from other family or social relationships,” said Dr. Helen Brooks, lead author of the study. Dr. Brooks and her team concluded that pet ownership has a valuable contribution to mental health. Therefore, it should be incorporated into patients’ individual care plans of patients.
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