The suffering of mental illness is done alone and isolated. Those who suffer from a severe mental illness - like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder - often find themselves battling an illness that causes anti-social behavior. In other words, those who suffer from severe mental illness also suffer from severe loneliness.
So what are mentally ill, suffering individuals to do? Well, new studies conducted by mental health researcher, Helen Brooks at the University of Manchester, suggest that the answer may be as simple as visiting a local pet shop. Brooks's research proved that owning a pet can alleviate adverse symptoms of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, as well as provide the mentally ill with a much-needed companion. What's more, the participants in the study seemed to prefer the company of animals to that of person-to-person, human comradery.
"[Pets] don't look at the scars on your arms," one participant said. "They don't question where you've been."
As to why the participants are drawn to the companionship of non-humans, Brooks believes it is because animals don't judge the mentally suffering - who likely have trust issues with people who have mistreated or judged them in the past.
"The routine these pets provide is really important for people," says Brooks. "Getting up in the morning to feed them and groom them and walk them, giving them structure and a sense of purpose that they won't otherwise have."
To read more on this subject, click here: Pets Help People Manage Serious Mental Illnesses: Shots