Bipolar Therapy Dog

The ultimate function of a psychiatric service dog is to alleviate or diminish the negative effects of bipolar disorder on the handler s life.

Bipolar therapy dog.

Pet therapy also known. Talk therapy can. Animal companionship and bipolar disorder. Psychotherapy or talk therapy is an important part of treatment for bipolar disorder during therapy you can discuss feelings thoughts and behaviors that cause you problems.

They can also be trained to alert for seizures guide the blind and even help calm mood disorders. Unlike other service dogs or assistance support or helper dogs who are trained to perform major everyday tasks for people with physical disabilities psychiatric service dogs are trained to help people with emotional or psychiatric disabilities including post traumatic stress disorder bipolar disorder and severe depression. It also has the added benefit of providing emotional comfort and companionship to its owner. For a dog it s not like they have a biochemical reason to switch between states like people living with bipolar disorder do borchelt says.

Instead their mood changes are often triggered by an external factor. Dogs can have a type of bipolar issue and other mental illnesses that affect their quality of life especially if they go undiagnosed and untreated. In 2011 actress carrie fisher who had bipolar disorder disclosed that she had had shock therapy. A service dog can help those suffering from bipolar disorder restore some normalcy to their lives.

Using pets for therapy isn t new. Dogs and cats are frequently brought to hospitals and nursing homes to cheer up and provide companionship to the sick and elderly. Whether trained to help with specific issues or are simply lovable members of the family emotional support animals and service animals can ease bipolar symptoms and help patients feel better. People struggling with bipolar disorder might be able to find four legged solace from their depressed lows and manic highs through service animals and even regular pets.

Best dog breeds for bipolar disorder bpd can make a big impact on their owners lives. A dog s emotions don t fluctuate dramatically from high to low and back again borchelt says. It is not just bipolar disorder than can affect your pup but any mental illnesses ranging from depression to anxiety to ptsd to obsessive compulsive disorder. She told oprah winfrey that it was quite effective and ultimately worth it.