LENDING A PAW
Pets are helping
ailing and lonely city dwellers fight depression and stress. Cuddling has even been shown to boost immunity, doctors say
Deliberating over whether to adopt a pet or not? Doctors across Mumbai and Delhi say that a pet might keep your family happy. “Pets are good buddies, especially for people who are lonely or dealing with psychological problems,” says Dr Achal Bhagat, senior consulting psychiatrist at Apollo healthcare “They are known to reduce stress levels and uplift your mood.”
“Three things all counsellors are taught is to be genuine, non-judgmental and to not label anyone. Pets are just like that,” says Raheen Jummani, Mumbai-based clinical psychologist. They are great companions, particularly in times of trouble and when one feels lonely. “You can talk to your pets all you want and they listen with unconditional love. These qualities work well in healing highly stressed or disturbed patients.”
According to a World Health Organisation study, conducted in 2000, around 25% people across the globe suffer from some kind of psychological problems such as anxiety, depression and even schizophrenia, says Dr Bhagat. “The cause for these troubles are of biological predisposal, old-age, substance abuse, or any other social or psychological parameter. Having a pet can help most patients.”
These animals offer great comfort through physical proximity, which is very important in healing stressed or depressed people. “A pet is always around and that helps counter loneliness. Many studies have proven that cuddling improves immunity, and pets are cuddly,” says Deepti Makhija, a Mumbai-based counsellor.
Pets are also known to help kids who are autistic. The biggest challenge that autistic kids face is communicating with others. “They neither speak, nor establish an eye contact. But with the pets the bonding is different. It is more physical. Hence, such children find it easier to connect with dogs and cats,” says Dr Sameer Malhotra, director for mental and behavioural sciences at Max Healthcare.
Nevertheless, pets are not substitutes to human beings, warn experts. They also suggest that factors such as distress over pet’s loss and spread of infections, if not taken care of well, must be considered before adopting a pet.
IM