How animal companions can save your life
The old cliché that pets create meaning in a person’s life has never rung more true, as they have been found to distract people from suicidal thoughts.
Picture: iStock
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.
Picture: iStock
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
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