Pets and depression?

Question

i think i might have depression...i cut myself, and are always depressed, crying alot in my room........but i do have 3 dogs, 1 cat, 4 hamsters, and 2 betta fish.......i love animals, and they seem to be the only thing that makes me happy lately (besides a hardees 2/3 pounder...jk) im looking to get a ball python, but are having second thoughts because i think im only getting it because its all i really have, does that make since. I know i really want one, but i just dont know, i take very good care of my other pets, but just dont know if im just getting the pets for the wrong reason, or is this a perfectly good reason.
does anybody understand what im sayin, cause im even having a hard time understanding it.

Answer 1

I understand why you have the pets am always a animal lover and the attraction is that animals do not judge but love us even when we are not at our best-do not care how we look,dress for they connect with our spirit/soul and give us love which we all need. I would advise for now that you hold off on getting the Python for the simplae reason that you could NOT have the snake around your other pets 1-it would stress the python for would always be in high state of arousal to get prey for can smell(snakes do smell) and sense by the heat that the animals give off(how the snake locates prey) esp the hamsters and more than likely also the cat. Then sensing the dogs who are a predator to the snake it would be doubly stressed and want to flee-you even going near the snake with dog smell -other animal smells since the snake would be in constant stress/high anxiety doubt it would be healthy-would be dificult to get it to eat for most animals will not eat in those states of mind and its life would not be happy and probably much shorter than it could be. The other animals smelling ,sensing the snake the same would happen with them esp the hamsters-being in high anxiety/stress states can cause them to get ill and even to die. If you wish to get another animal it should fit in with the rest of your animals-No Predators. It would even be a dangerous situation for the snake being always anxious can attack you although a bite is not poisonous it is very painful and ...Not Advisable at all. As far as you having the animals if you are giing them the best caare-giving them the food hat is best for their health etc and they have a good home with you then why not. BUT you really and I strongly advise you to see Family Doctor for depression can be a imbalance of the brain's Chemistry-that you lack a lot of the hormone that triggers the Dopomaine (feel good/content etc ) release by the brain and there are medications avaailable through Prescription that help a great deal for the fact that you cut yourself worries me for you.There is no need for you to continue when Help is just a Doctor's(MD) Office Visit away. If you are still living at home then you need(in order to have medical covered by insurance) to talk to your parents requesting you be taken to the doctor or have appt made for you.You do not Now need to get with them about your cutting -unless of course you feel like it- if you do not feel comfortable bringing this up-the main thing right nOW is to get to a Doctor and I'd just make the request becauseyou do not feel well for are stressed over feeling depressed.Since I do not know your family situation can only adavise you to get to a doctor by any means even if it becomes necessaray to enlist the aid of your school counselor(are required by LAW what you tell them is to be held confidential-tell )Would it not be great if you could just take a pill and feel better? Even if you just felt good enough to be able to cope and figure out what to do.But until you get some much needed help I'd hold off on getting anymore pets but concntrate on the ones you have. Wish you the best and will include you in my prayers. Whaat helps me is keeping a journal-I write my thoughts down(when I feel too cramoped with stuff) for when you write them down you get them out of you-I usually feel bettter but no matter what you do if a chemical imbalance is the cause you still need prescibed medication for getting your health back-depression is a health problem. Again Good luck.

Answer 2

Loving and caring for a pet can help anyone fight depression and loneliness, since the bond with a pet helps you maintain a sense of purpose in life. A daily walk with a dog gets you out into the world on a regular basis and encourages exercise, both of which help counteract feelings of depression. Pets can be a great comfort in times of conflict
or grief, since they offer unconditional affection. They often seem to know when we are sad, and they are always attentive, nonjudgmental listeners.

But more importantly, it sound like you are suffering from clinical depression. I would strongly recommend you speak to a Dr. & seek treatment. Good luck & take care

Answer 3

I had this same problem when I was younger. It seemed that the only thing that I could relate to is animals. There is nothing wrong with getting the pets to help with the depression. Everyone has different ways of dealing with how we feel. Just try to keep your head up even when things get rough. Animals may give you that special something that you need to make it threw.

Good luck.

Answer 4

You're grammar says you have trouble understanding a lot... Sorry, my bad there. I know where you're coming from more than most people here do, and I've got 3years worth of scars to prove it.

As hard as it is to beleive, there are no quick fixes in life. Getting a new pet and beleiving it will make things better is a simple distractin teknique. I livedoff of that for years, but constantly moving from one thing to the next becomes tireing. What you need to do is center yourself, figure out how to be happy with what you already have. Seak out psychiatric care.

Depression is hard to deal with, especially when you come to and realize that you have no interest in anything. Meds can help, and talk therapy is good for some.

As for me, I've been with the ins and outs of depression for longer than anyone can say for sure. I got a puppy recently, and she does make me happy, but being happy doesn't prevent me from thinking and moving on to the next thing. Needless to say, I'm going back on meds.

Answer 5

i know what you are going through. i got my dog when i was going through a pretty bad depression (6 years long). it's the bonding and unconditional love that helps you feel better. you know that no matter what you are going through your pet will always be happy to see you. it's your form of therapy and if it is working for you there is nothing wrong with it. I'm not sure the python would be a good idea though right now. they do require alot of special care and attention. my uncle used to have one. if you want someone to talk to you can e-mail me.

Answer 6

Bless your heart! I think you are trying to find happiness by having pets. It's only a temporary fix. You can have too many pets and then they don't get the attention they deserve. PLEASE, see a doctor before you get anymore pets. You don't want to become overwhelmed with having too many. Good luck and I wish you the best!

Answer 7

it seems that you get over your depressoin by animals so just stop and think about what you are doing and you decide if you should get another animal or live with what you have now