Monty: Mental Health Therapy Pet

Some people with bipolar disorder credit pets, especially dogs, with keeping their mood level and steady, even on their worst days.

Pet therapy, also known as animal-assisted therapy, is recognized by the National Institute of Mental Health as a type of psychotherapy for treating depression and other mood disorders. Being around pets appears to feed the soul, promoting a sense of emotional connectedness and overall well-being.

People with therapy pets benefit in several different ways:

Dogs force patients to remain active even when their depression flares up. They need to be walked two to three times a day. No matter what's going on with them, that's something that requires them to get out of the house - these activities help them to remain engaged.

Dogs keep them from feeling socially withdrawn. People approach those with the mental illness because they want to meet the pet. Sometimes going out of their comfort zone can be difficult - it helps them break that ice.

They provide them with constant companionship. They're never alone. One of the symptoms of depression is that people isolate and tend to withdraw.

Researchers have found that interaction with pets - even if they don't belong to you - can reduce anxiety, ease blood pressure and heart rate, and offset feelings of depression.


Today marks the fifth day of Mental Health Awareness Week in the United States. I dedicate this week to, thus, raising awareness here and around the world.

The week started with this revealing blip.

Laurie

Edit: This is my 650th consecutive blip. Is that good for my mental health?