Gpm Is Looking For Guinea Pig And Mental Health Experiences

Wiebke

Wiebke

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In the next issue of Guinea Pig Magazine we are talking mental health. Do you think your guinea pigs improve your sense of wellbeing? Do you have emotional problems and find your guineas therapeutic? And is it all pets that help - or is there something special about guinea pigs?
You can also contact me privately at [email protected]

Any comments published will be done so anonymously.



Wiebke Wiese Thomas
 
Guinea pigs are little heart menders!
Whenever I've been going through a tough time at work or when my daughter was going through her Cancer treatment there was always a group of piggies to not only comfort me but to relieve my stress.
Quite often I will go and sit with them if I'm finding Life hard and then I find I just feel more relaxed and able to cope.
Yes, other animals too help, particularly if you have a mood sensitive dog like my Border Collie.
He always knows if I'm upset or sad and comes over to lean against me to let me know he's my best boy!
 
I feel my animals help a lot with my mental health,
In fact my first Hamster Jeliza was the best, I could sit with her at night when I wanted to hurt myself and she was a gentle thing,
And there's something really amazing about cleaning out your animals, seeing all that fresh bedding sorted out that makes you feel like you've really achieved something,
But at the same time it can become a huge task in your mind if your not in the right frame of mind,
I've had weeks where I can't bring myself to even make the veg up for the animals or change their water,
Luckily my boyfriend who I live with steps in to help, no judgement from him about it, and will happily sort everyone out.
I've often said to him, there's animals would be dead if it wasn't for you, and when I've been at my worst I've believed that even thought it's not true,
Before we moved in together I did it because I had to, in some ways he gives me an excuse to wollow in it,
Sometimes you need it but other times it makes it worse, if you see what I mean.
 
After a 3 year break, I got piggies again purely to help with my mental health. I have all sorts here, snakes, frogs, lizards..they're a bit like watching a fish tank. Very therapeutic to watch and dont require much upkeep, which suited me at the time because I was very low on energy. Our cat was the only animal needing any real daily attention. I got to the point where I felt bored during the day, I was ready for animals that needed a little more attention.

When I first got Bramble and Blackberry, I wasnt leaving the house at all by myself, not even to go out into the garden. I remember standing at the back door, holding the handle, wanting so much to go outside but just not being able to do so. Then, all of a sudden I found myself nipping out when I thought no one was around in order to collect grass and weeds for my new little family members. I was able to make myself take my allergy medication when I found myself having panic attacks over how much worse my hayfever got with all the hay (I rarely take any medication at all, it makes me too anxious and nauseous) When they got ill, I left the house pretty much every day to get them to the vets and actually managed to speak to the vets to make sure every detail of their symptoms was communicated properly. Talking is very difficult for me, as a child I had selective mutism and rarely said a word to anyone outside my immediate family and close friends. As I got older this turned to social anxiety which pretty much rules my life. But ive been able to battle it, thanks to my piggies. In fact, my newest 2, Daisy and Delilah were bought under the conditions of 'If you want them, you go get them' so I had to talk to the staff myself, sign everything and pay for them myself...which was terrible, but I managed it!

I'm hardly ever lonely these days, with 7 piggies theres always someone wanting to chat or have a cuddle! I don't have the energy that I had when I was younger and had 16 of them, 7 seems to be about my limit..something else they've helped me with. I'm really quite bad at diving in feet first without thinking about consequences in order to force myself to get better at something faster, but having them to think about makes me slow down and do things properly without becoming burned out and needing to spend days in bed recovering.
 
It's animals in general for me. Their companionship means a great deal, but when I've been at my worst, it's been having the animals that has got me out of bed. They NEED me to get going and they force me to face the world. On more normal days, they give a great deal of pleasure and often make me laugh which is very good for my mental health.
 
My animals especially the piggies help me so much with my mental health. Yes, they cause me a lot of anxiety and stress but I couldn't live without them.

They force me to get up in the morning as I know that they rely on me to be fed, watered and cleaned out. I suppose they provide with a routine and without them, I would probably not bother getting out of bed most days.

Cleaning them out causes me lots of stress as its a big task which I sometimes can't deal with. But again, I know they rely on me and I always get a sense of achievement once I've cleaned them out.

They're also there o provide an an ear and they know all my secrets and I often cry in to their fur without being judged.

I also do not leave the house a lot but I potter in to the garden to bring them fresh grass and dandelions especially during the summer months.
 
I think animals certainly do help. My cat always comes to find me and comfort me if I'm feeling sad or I've had a bad day. She goes out of her way to cheer me up, sometimes to annoy the hell out of me too haha but still!

Piggies are definitely special, I just love to watch them and how happy they are. Watching them popcorn over their excitement of fresh hay always warms my heart. While I'm being silly worrying and not appreciating the little things in life here they are, reminding me that actually it really isn't all that bad in the scheme of things. Especially when Iggy was so poorly and he'd be excited seeing the girls, new hay or critical care. Unlike me who sits around feeling sorry for herself!

Amazing little creatures really :)
 
Also wanted to add that the way GP are vocal is possibly the best of any animal I own,
My cats aren't very vocal, neither are my Rabbits or Hamsters
I think without the GPS the house would seem quiet and lonely,
Whenever I'm opening a door they're weeking,
I'm making dinner for once, and they're going at full volume because there might be stuff for them as well.
I'm opening the fridge and they're crying out,
Heck, I'm just chilling on the sofa and they're letting me know they want some dinner soon :) :)

So i love how they let me know they're there, even when I feel alone :) :)
 
I had a 7 year break from guinea pigs due to depression. When I finally felt well enough to get my current 2 they did wonders for me.
They make me smile everyday, I just need to sit and watch them. They motivate me to keep to a routine as they need cleaning feeding etc. They help most on my bad days when I can't face people.
They do also cause some anxiety when they have problems, but the positives far out weigh the negatives.
I have a Web Cam on them so I can watch from work. If I get stressed out or anxious at work, I watch the pigs for a minute and it calms me down.
To have a prey animal flopped out on your knee feels like such an achievement. Making them happy makes me happy. Watching them enjoy themselves is the one thing I can still enjoy in the dark times.
Seeing them waiting at the front of cage for me melts my heart (even if I know they just want food).
 
Animals are great for reducing stress and anxiety. I owned hamsters for 30 years and changed to Guinea pigs when two babies were dumped on my doorstep.

I get cuddles, licks, and squeaks. The piggies communicate with me. They enjoy cuddles. They wheek for attention (and food). I have 8 piggies and so I have to have a routine (especially with ringworm issues). They are fluffy and cute, with noses and bums and floppy ears.

Every day coming from work I grin because I look forward to seeing the herd. Their antics are hilarious. They are completely dependant on me for everything. And that can take my attention from my own problems. I have anxiety, and I have had it for decades. I cannot remember a time when I was not worried about something. I have suffered for so long that my stomach gets bad. I cannot sleep due to worrying. Going to parties and meeting people terrifies me.

But the pigs don't care. They make me smile. They take me as they are, warts and all. They are cute, wonderful little creatures who do not judge. They only want veg, cuddles, water and hay. Not necessarily in that order. If I'm having a bad day in work I take a moment and look at pics of the herd on my phone which helps to calm me down. It's the cuteness...helps every time
 
Subject that is not always transparently easy to spot.
Piggies don't Judge.
I volunteer for visits to a mental hospital to talk and spend time with adults and teenagers who family's didnt. It bloody hurt leaving them when my day was done Why should 4.30 be the end. That was years ago and I do wonder where how What happened to them did they and up in the grave yard. . We as human treat less fortunate in a maner that I will not subscribe to. .
Piggies don't Judge.
 
My piggies came into my life for the precise purpose improving my mental health. I was very ill with fibromyalgia, bed bound and isolated and my OH brought home the piggies as company for me. They completely changed my life. The level of sociability and interaction with them pulled me out of a very dark place and have kept me out. I talk to them and they talk back. Having something to care for has made me feel empowered and useful again. And they give so much love. More than anything else they have improved my anxiety. I struggle terribly with sleeping because of my anxiety, but a night time snuggle with my furbabies helps settle me and get me to sleep. They are better than any medication I have been on for my mental health.
 
Sometimes it's too stressful at work, what with having two jobs and finishing a master's degree - lots of tasks, deadlines and responsibility I sometimes feel too young and inexperienced to shoulder. Piggies help me switch off at home and relax. This forum also helps me have a relaxing lunch break :)
 
I have depression.at my lowest ebb,it gave me a reason to get out of bed.they need cleaning .feeding and attention.i have a cat,both these pets have prevented me commiting suicide on two occasions.they are great company and communicators,the best when you feel isolated and live alone.
 
Listening to Eileen it has made my story seem humble.
I've had depression for a long time, it started when I was a kid really. No matter what I did it was wrong, I was no good. All the family chipped away at my confidence.But after a while my confidence started to go.
Around 2004 things were on the up. I had 2 hamsters & 2 dogs it was the hamsters that picked me up, then I used to spend ages with the hamsters I think it was the stroking that was therapeutic. Ending of 2016 & I got my other guinea pigs. Beautiful, I could stroke them hug them. Then a blow 2017 Molly died from a tumour , I blamed myself, I should have, seen it before. Negative thoughts were there again. Since then the piggies have pulled me out from the darkness they are so loving, relaxing & funny. Some times I hide & just I watch.Sometimes I think I can't be bother to hold them. Then almost instantly when I do relax when I do cuddle. Piggies are sent to mentally ill people to make them laugh, & cry. I was surprised the amount of mentally ill & suffering people have joined this group. Can only assume it's our illness.
 
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Tiamolly123 said:
Listening to Eileen it has made my story seem humble.
I've had depression for a long time, it started when I was a kid really. No matter what I did it was wrong, I was no good. All the family chipped away at my confidence.But after a while my confidence started to go.
Around 2004 things were on the up. I had 2 hamsters & 2 dogs it was the hamsters that picked me up, then I used to spend ages with the hamsters I think it was the stroking that was therapeutic. Ending of 2016 & I got my other guinea pigs. Beautiful, I could stroke them hug them. Then a blow 2017 Molly died from a tumour , I blamed myself, I should have, seen it before. Negative thoughts were there again. Since then the piggies have pulled me out from the darkness they are so loving, relaxing & funny. Some times I hide & just I watch.Sometimes I think I can't be bother to hold them. Then almost instantly when I do relax when I do cuddle. Piggies are sent to mentally ill people to make them laugh, & cry. I was surprised the amount of mentally ill & suffering people have joined this group. Can only assume it's our illness.
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I think you're right, a forum like this becomes a safe space for vulnerable people who have a common ground. Further kudos to piggies, for bringing people together!
 
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