Dogs are man's best friend, the old saying goes. But now there is scientific evidence that dogs – and cats, birds, and even Guinea pigs – not only serve as a best friend to many people with bipolar or schizophrenia, but may also be a critical component to their recovery and mental stability.
Service dogs can be trained to help people with bipolar and other mental issues. They can sense chemical changes in the body that can preclude a panic attack or manic state. A dog's response is to lean against their companion or place their head in the person's lap.
Golden Retrievers, Greyhounds and Staffordshire Bull Terriers are among the top dog breeds to benefit your mental health, new research has found.
The hyperactive rat: An animal model for bipolar disorder.
Bipolar disorder is considered a disability able to benefit from a service dog under the ADA. Though it doesn't list specific disorders, the ADA broadly defines a disability as “a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity.”
Service animals can serve as an integral part of treatment plans for a variety of disabilities, from Bipolar Disorder to PTSD. A service dog can help those suffering from Bipolar Disorder restore some normalcy to their lives. It also has the added benefit of providing emotional comfort and companionship to its owner.
Labrador Retriever
The Labrador Retriever is arguably the most empathic breed of dog, with an innate skill to know how their owners are feeling. They are gentle, friendly and eager to please.
While not considered a service dog function per se, the emotional support provided by a canine helper is often as valuable as the tasks the animal performs. The presence of the dog can also help ground an individual with bipolar disorder and introduce a sense of stability and routine.
Based on this study, not only can dogs sense depression, but their ability to recognize emotional fluctuations in people and other dogs is natural or intrinsic.
According to veterinary experts, dogs tend to switch emotions in reaction to an external factor or situation. Bipolar, on the other hand, is a biochemical disorder and dogs do not have this sort of biochemical response to make them switch moods from high to low in sudden spurts.
The results of this study show that specifically trained dogs possess the ability to alert their handler of impending violent outbursts in a random group of unfamiliar, psychotic patients.
Emotional Support Animals (ESA) provide ease and companionship during times of distress. They can also encourage handlers with bipolar disorder to interact with the outside world, which provides further opportunities to socialize and engage in physical activities.
Studies show that dogs reduce stress, anxiety and depression; ease loneliness; encourage exercise and improve your overall health.
In fact: Did you know that dogs can play an integral part in your emotional well-being? Dogs can contribute to your happiness. Studies show that dogs reduce stress, anxiety and depression, ease loneliness, encourage exercise and improve your all-around health.
Dogs can sense when humans are anxious
Dogs are also great observers - our facial expressions, posture, the way we move, the smells we give off, and our tone of voice, all give our dogs vast quantities of information about how we might be feeling.
Dogs are sensitive and attentive – often they see a panic attack coming before their human partners do. So we teach the dog to react to those signs, to tell their human, “Hey, I'm here, it's ok, let's go for a walk or you should pet me, let's stay in the present.” That's an anxiety alert.
#1: Basenji. This wonderful breed has no “doggy smell,” so combined with his short coat and small size, he goes right to the top of the list. The only thing you need to watch out for is not to get water in his ears when bathing him. He is considered a barkless dog, by the way, but he can make plenty of noise.
Eating a balance of protective, nutrient-dense foods. These foods include fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, lean meats, cold-water fish, eggs, low-fat dairy, soy products, and nuts and seeds.
Absolutely, yes. Service dogs are trained to assist in the activities of daily living for those who have one or more mental health conditions, including mood disorders and Bipolar Disorder.