How Companion Animals Can Participate in Treatment of Mental Illness
Accumulating evidence demonstrates the importance of companion animals in the lives of humans. This article discusses the varied ways those animals may participate in the treatment of mental illness.
Animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) are today rightly seen as a credible mental health service option, and one with less stigma and fewer barriers to entry than other mental health treatments.
Pet ownership is associated with positive outcomes across the human developmental spectrum. For example, children who grow up with a pet in their home have a reduced incidence of loneliness, depression, and anxiety; take fewer sick days from school; and are less likely to have allergies or asthma, according to a report by Rebecca Purewal and colleagues in the March 2017 International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. They also have higher self-esteem and empathy, are more popular with their classmates, and have increased engagement with education/reading. Likewise, pet ownership among older adults has been associated with reduced loneliness, depression, anxiety, blood pressure, and self-reported ratings of stress. Older pet owners also participate in more physical activity, have greater social functioning, and experience slower decline in physical and cognitive functioning.
Published Online:23 Aug 2023https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.pn.2023.09.9.35
Stress and insomnia linked to irregular heart rhythms after menopause.
After menopause an estimated 1 in 4 women may develop irregular heart rhythms — known as atrial fibrillation — in their lifetime, with stressful life events and insomnia being major contributing factors.
Researchers noted that stressful life events, poor sleep and feelings, such as depression, anxiety or feeling overwhelmed by one’s circumstances, are often interrelated.
American Heart Association. (2023, August 30). Stress and insomnia linked to irregular heart rhythms after menopause. ScienceDaily. Retrieved September 11, 2023 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/08/230830131847.htm
Active children are more resilient
The school year has hardly begun, and the first exams are already approaching. According to findings by researchers from the University of Basel, school children cope better with stress if they get plenty of daily exercise.
One possible explanation for this finding could be that cortisol levels also increase during exercise, says Sebastian Ludyga. “When children regularly run, swim, climb, etc., the brain learns to associate a rise in cortisol with something positive. The body’s reaction always has a cognitive component as well: this positive association helps to prevent the concentration of cortisol from rising to too high a level in exam situations as well.”
University of Basel. “Active children are more resilient.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 5 September 2023. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/09/230905124926.htm>.