Title : An alternative approach: Can animals improve mental health?
Abstract:
Mental health disorders can lead to symptoms of anxiety, depression, and loneliness. For some patients suffering from mental illness, pharmaceutical therapies may be unsuccessful. Animal assisted treatment (AAT) is a way of treating mental health concerns that involves interacting with and caring for animals. According to studies, animals have a remarkable effect on people's moods, implying a nonpharmaceutical treatment option for those suffering from mental health symptoms. A review of recent primary sources was undertaken to see if a nonpharmaceutical strategy of using pet therapy may alleviate symptoms of anxiety, depression, and loneliness. To guide the psychological closeness of the animal-human dyad, attachment theory was used as the research framework. When animal-assisted therapy was used, there was evidence of decreased anxiety, depression, loneliness, and stress, as well as an improvement in social connectedness. Practice implications for advanced practice registered nurses include the availability of a successful nonpharmaceutical method in patients suffering from anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Among diverse populations, animal assisted therapy is an effective way for reducing anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Further longitudinal research with a broader population of people of different ethnicities, as well as the use of different animals, should be conducted.
