Sometimes, the ways in which a dog can help your mental health is the same for one condition as it is the other, and other times they vary. Regardless, it is never nice to have to read through blocks of text, anxiously searching for your condition to see what kind of advice is there. In this section, we have gathered information for a number of mental illnesses to show how dogs can help you out.

This is often classed as a feeling of unease or fear that can vary between mild and severe. It manifests itself differently for everyone, often resulting in an increased heart rate and feelings of despair. Just hugging your dog causes the body to flood with oxytocin, the hormone that lowers blood pressure, heart rate, and stress levels.

The same goes for stroking them, as this also releases the calming hormone throughout your body to help you feel calmer and more relaxed. They also get you outside for a walk, and gentle exercise combined with fresh air can really help to alleviate feelings of anxiety, something multiple studies have proven, especially as it helps to lower your blood pressure and take your mind off things.

When you are in the middle of a severe anxiety attack, they know what is happening, and the comforting touch of their body against yours can help to calm your heart rate and mind incredibly fast. They create a distraction, but also give you validation as a person and a sense of worth. This creature needs you as much as you need it, providing you with acceptance and purpose.

This is commonly described as a pervasive disorder that can affect almost every aspect of a person’s life. In many ways, it can be seen as a fear of being judged and negatively evaluated by others, and there is a fear of social interactions with other people. There are a few ways that dogs can help those who are struggling with social anxiety.

Of course, they have a very soothing presence, one where many of our fears and thoughts melt away as we give them the attention that they both crave and deserve. However, when it comes to social situations, they are also able to act as a way to break the ice and get involved in a conversation with another person.

You see, when you meet people with your dog they are unlikely to ask much (if anything) about you – they are more interested in your dog. The questions and casual conversation are the perfect way to start building your confidence, but the other person is often so focussed on the dog that they won’t notice if you have a little trouble with your words. They are social magnets that ease you into things.

There are many different levels of depression, but it tends to be classified as persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of energy or interest for the things that you used to enjoy. It’s something that affects many of us, and can often couple itself with anxiety. There are many ways that dogs can help get you out of your depressive rut.

One of the hardest things to do when you are depressed is get up every morning. Dogs force you into a structured routine that means you need to get up so that they can be fed, watered, let outside, and walked. A structured day means that you are able to give meaning to your time, providing you with a sense of purpose when it comes to your existence.

The fact that you are able to successfully care for them also adds to feelings of self-worth and validation, increasing your confidence and sense of achievement. They also get you outside to exercise and socialise, two things that boost the serotonin being produced by your body, increasing your overall feelings of happiness and worthiness.

Depression often comes coupled with loneliness and anxiety, so it is essential to get out every day with your dog. They offer you unconditional love no matter how low you feel, and a simple lick on the hand or face can bring on a smile that you didn’t even know you could muster. Even petting them can increase your sense of joy, helping you to start (and continue) your recovery.

This is also known as Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD), and its symptoms can be placed into four main categories: emotional instability, disturbed patterns of thinking or perception, impulsive behaviour, and intense but unstable relationships with others.

It is common for those with BPD to suffer from an intense fear of abandonment, which can lead to the intense relationships with others. Dogs will never purposefully abandon you, and their unconditional devotion to their owners is something that many people with BPD find incredibly comforting in their daily lives, something that can also reduce feelings of depression.

Their soothing natures can help to alleviate stress and calm periods of instability when it comes to moods – reducing the number of angry or upset episodes that they suffer from. They don’t judge like people do either, leaving a feeling of acceptance and validation in place of worthlessness and fear. You can open up to dogs as well, and they make for the perfect confidant when you are suffering.

This was formerly known as manic depression, and it is a disorder that tends to cause dramatic swings between intense periods of depression and abnormally high levels of joy – known as mania or hypomania, depending on its severity. It can sometimes be confused with BPD, but the two disorders are actually very different.

Like many mental health issues, bipolar disorder can leave you feeling very lonely, but it also has many similarities with depression when the low mood phase is entered. It can leave you feeling empty and hopeless, but your dog will ensure that you get outside to exercise and take in some vitamin D – which can actually be very effective at combating low moods.

It is also common for sufferers to experience hallucinations during both high and low periods, which can be frightening to experience. A dog acts as a comfort during these times, helping your brain to produce calming oxytocin, but also giving you the reassurance that everything is going to be alright. The security they bring also reduces feelings of fear and anxiety, making you more comfortable.

This is something that can affect us all, and sometimes on a chronic level. It’s a psychological pain that leaves you feeling strain and pressure on a mental level. We all have a little stress, but for some, it is more severe and constant than others.

Dogs provide a sensory comfort, simply touching them and stroking their fur reduces the level of cortisol (the stress hormone) in your blood, and instead releases oxytocin to help you feel calmer and more relaxed. It also lowers your heart rate and blood pressure so that you can think clearer and start feeling better about yourself. Put simply, they are just incredibly relaxing to be around.

Going for a walk with your dog can also reduce the amount of stress you are feeling, both due to the physical activity and fresh air, as well as giving you a distraction from the things that are causing you stress. It’s a good way to clear your head so that you can return to the problem later with a fresh and rested perspective.

As an interesting side note, studies have shown that when they are being petted, stress levels in dogs are also reduced. So, when you are trying to stay calm by petting your dog, you are actually doing them a massive favour as well – it’s a method that works both ways.

You see it a lot where people will claim they are “a little OCD”, but it is actually a serious condition that often causes a person to have obsessive, and often invasive, thoughts against their will, as well as a set of routines (rituals) that they need to complete in order to feel calm and as though they can continue on with their day. Of course, there are variations, but these are the most common.

OCD can cause panic, anxiety, and unpleasant thoughts that you cannot get out of your head, and many people subconsciously resort to picking their bodies or fiddling as a way to cope. Having a dog to stroke not only provides a great solution to unintentionally hurting yourself, but also releases oxytocin in your body to bring you a sense of calm and order when the world feels like chaos.

They don’t judge you for your rituals either, allowing them to become a part of your routine, and one that doesn’t mind doing so. They provide someone to confide in, as well as the ideal distraction from any obsessive thoughts or feelings that you are trying to fight. In many ways, there are there to help you fight the battle and provide you with the unconditional love and affection you need.

This is an anxiety disorder that is caused by very stressful, disturbing, or frightening events – most commonly from childhood trauma or witnessing war (such as soldiers or civilians caught in the crossfire). They often relive the traumatic events through nightmares and flashbacks, and often have triggers that can cause them to occur in seemingly normal situations.

Dogs can help those who are suffering get through the toughest time, especially as treatment and therapy can be very hard in the early stages. Dogs are vigilant creatures that will let you know if something is wrong, allowing you to be able to tell if you just had a nightmare or if something is actually happening, and their protection can lead to you feeling more secure in your environment.

They offer unconditional love and support, sensing when you need them to comfort you, ensuring that they are always there for you to hug and pet – releasing a calming dose of oxytocin in your body so that you can try to relax. Additionally, they can help you to relearn trust in people through the trust that they give you (and you them), as well as remember deep feelings of love and affection.

The road to recovery is not an easy one, and you may never get over your PTSD, but with the love and companionship of a dog, the world will feel like a less lonely and isolated place to be – regardless of the form of PTSD that you are suffering from.

This is often defined as a group of behavioural symptoms that include (but are not limited to): inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness. Usually, it is spotted at a young age, but it is still possible to be diagnosed as an adult. It can be hard to concentrate on this, even when you reach maturity, and you might be surprised how much dogs can help adults with ADHD.

They give you a sense of consistency and routine in your life, allowing for structure to be added to your day. It means that you have to plan ahead, which can help with issues surrounding organisation as well as make it easier to achieve and plan any goals that you want to achieve. Having a dog can even help you improve things like consistency – like making a plan and sticking to it.

As dogs need to be walked every day, they provide you with the perfect chance to burn off excess energy (for both of you) and get yourself focused for the day. You see, exercise increases the flow of oxygen to the brain which can lead to better concentration levels throughout the day. This is ideal for those who really find it hard to focus on work or studies.

Dogs are always happy to see you and offer a level of love that no one else can. It is often difficult to cope with the outside world and judgement of others, but a dog will always love you for who you are. This can boost your confidence, self-worth, and even help you to become a stronger person – as well as one who is less bothered by the opinions of others.