Mental Health Topic of the Month: Emotional Support Animals
Joe Johnson
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Editors Note: Periodically we post topics about mental health as our site is called purplePTSD.com for a reason (our founder, Joe Johnson, was diagnosed with PTSD in 2014 and we’ve had links to different PTSD charities/foundations/resources in the past, however because those are mainly for veterans and Joe wasn’t in the military, we didn’t want people to get the wrong impression). That having been said, mental health is something that is finally coming out of the shadows as a topic people can talk about openly and with that in mind we wanted to post the following from our friends at CertaPet!
The Psychology of How an ESA Makes You Feel Better
Have you heard about emotional support animals but wonder how they help make people feel better? Emotional support animals do not require any official training, but therapists, psychologists, and doctors recommend them for those with serious mental disabilities to improve their mental health and wellbeing. How does it work? What is it about pets that are so important to our psychiatric health? Learn more about the benefits of an ESA and find a therapist at thrivetalk.com.
A Sense of Security
Many mental disabilities cause feelings of isolation and disconnect from friends and family. People can feel alone, with no one to open up to out of fear of judgment. According to Medical News Today, the unconditional love and support pets give help ease feelings of worry, distress, and loneliness. Your pets are always there for you, no matter how bad your day or how you feel about yourself, to them you’re there entire world and there is no better person on the planet.
Stability
Pets help give a sense of routine and ontological security. Ontological security is a psychology term for continuity, reliability, and consistency in oneself, other people, and things. This sense of security is essential for those with mental disabilities, as they often feel a sense of disconnect from the world. Life is unpredictable, which can be a source of stress and anxiety.
Meaning and Purpose
Pets can give life meaning, a reason to wake up every day and get started with your routine. Pets need love, care, and support. Even when you feel like giving up, you know that you can’t. Dogs especially need daily care, which sets a routine and gives each day purpose. Dogs encourage social interactions, encouraging their owners to go outside and getting exercise. These daily walks and social interactions help strengthen community ties.
Travel Anxiety
Symptoms of mental disabilities often worsen during times of stress and anxiety. Many people feel an increase in stress when traveling, especially when flying. Airports are chaotic, and there are many unpredictable factors which can be triggering to those with anxiety. Emotional support animals can be a calming presence when flying for their owners. Instead of focusing on their stress and anxiety, they can concentrate on their ESA and make sure all of the care need. ESAs provide companionship during travel, like a security blanket or confidant.
Emotional support animals are a wonderful benefit to those with common mental disabilities like anxiety, depression, and PTSD. ESAs help improve mental health and well being by giving unconditional love and support. ESAs help ease feelings of isolation and loneliness, giving their owners a sense of security and stability. Having a pet, an ESA in particular, can give life meaning and provide a sense of purpose. Pets need us just as much as we love them, and our love for them outweighs our own feelings of anxiety and worry. ESAs also provide a daily routine, as they need food, water, and affection, dogs in particular also encourage exercise and social interactions. Learn more about ESAs here.