Animal companions are lifesavers
Nica Schreuder
Medication isn’t the only option for those suffering from mental issues like depression and anxiety.
People who have a pet know the feeling of seeing their furry companion for the first time each day. It’s like a rush of relief and happiness. That feeling is due to a powerful hormone called oxytocin, released by the pituitary gland. Scientists have found that the more a pet owner interacts with their pet, the more oxytocin is released. This love hormone is also present during labour, so we’re talking about some pretty powerful chemical reactions.
In a study conducted by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America and the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), researchers found that 74% of people reported mental health improvements from pet ownership, and 75% reported a friend or family member’s mental health improving as well.
The research found that “positive human-animal interaction is related to the changes in physiological variables in humans and animals, including a reduction of subjective psychological stress and an increase of oxytocin”. Scientists found these biological responses have measurable effects in managing long-term mental health conditions.
It’s no secret that people who have more social relationships tend to be mentally healthier, but this is not always an option for those with psychological conditions. But a pet delivers the same benefits for mental disorder sufferers, with the added bonus that he or she is a companion that doesn’t judge.
Research by HABRI has also shown pets are “an immediate source of calm and therapeutic benefit for the owners”. A study in 2016 found pets were big contributors to people developing routines that help provide long-term emotional and social support. Pets provide a sense of control for the owner, in the form of routine care for their furbaby. People are a prominent source of security for their pet, who in time reciprocates by protecting their owner. The old cliché that pets create meaning in a person’s life has never rung more true, as they were also found to distract people from suicidal thoughts. Your pet really is a lifesaver.
Sources: US National Library of Medicine online, Mental Health UK, Anxiety and Depression Association of America website, Human Animal Bond Research Institute.