Cats (and dogs) and depression
Discussion
A few months ago I went through an horrific bout of depression that turned my mind inside out. The circumstances behind it are irrelevant, but a slightly curious thing happened. At about the same time that I was falling to pieces, an abandoned ginger cat decided to come and live with me. Just wandered in one day and didn't leave. He would amble around absent-mindedly but sometimes he would regard me with a level stare, and then he would try and get as close as possible. When I was sitting, he would climb into my chest and nuzzle me. When I was asleep, he would lick my head (weird) and then curl up right next to me, or try and get into the bed with me. He was basically my shadow the whole time.
After a while the depression lifted. The cat's behaviour changed. Still affectionate, but not in the same way. Not as close, not as snuggly. Liked chilling out on his own.
Fast forward to the past couple of weeks. I'm abroad with work, and my wife has been going though a difficult time of her own. Guess who has come to the rescue? He keeps her company each day, he snuggles up to her all night and nuzzles her constantly. He has been a proper pal to her during a difficult time.
I reckon cats can sense this stuff. I have no doubt dog owners would say the same about their own bundles of love.
After a while the depression lifted. The cat's behaviour changed. Still affectionate, but not in the same way. Not as close, not as snuggly. Liked chilling out on his own.
Fast forward to the past couple of weeks. I'm abroad with work, and my wife has been going though a difficult time of her own. Guess who has come to the rescue? He keeps her company each day, he snuggles up to her all night and nuzzles her constantly. He has been a proper pal to her during a difficult time.
I reckon cats can sense this stuff. I have no doubt dog owners would say the same about their own bundles of love.
Edited by Joey Ramone on Wednesday 19th August 06:32
Studies have shown that owners, especially senior citizens, who have cats have lower blood pressure and can live longer than humans who don't own pets.
The warmth of their furry bodies and open, purring friendship can drastically influence a person’s state of mind for the better. Vital signs taken after an individual’s interaction with a pet show positive effects on the blood pressure, pulse, and breathing frequency, and the results of these tests are surprisingly similar to the body’s condition after deep meditation. Some studies have even indicated that having pets reduces stress and results in a lowered risk of heart disease.
Cats have a strong harmonic at exactly 100 Hz, the vibrational frequency found to relieve dyspnoea. Researchers have found that a cat’s purr, can decrease the symptoms of a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease called dysponea in both cats and humans.
The cat's purr is a healing mechanism and is a natural way to increase strength, and decrease healing time,the vibration of a cat's purr can speed up the healing process not only for cats but for other animals as well. Research indicates that even humans can benefit. If you are recovering from an injury, you should hug a purring cat. Consistent vibrational sound frequencies of 25-150 Hz, which is the range of a cat’s purr, aid in the healing of bones, tendons, ligaments and muscles, as well as providing pain relief.
Simpo Two said:
I think the purr sound idea is a little overdone in that diagram. If true, all hospitals would need would be loudspeakers at 100Hz...
Purring is often compared to the dhikr, the rhythmic chanting of the Sufis, which is used in many early Islamic hospitals as a healing process. Modern science recently discovered the healing powers of the cats' purr: …optimal frequency for bone stimulation is 50 hertz.The sistrum is a percussion instrument from ancient Egypt where priestesses ritualistically used sistra; that as we know now, generate copious amounts of ultrasound. Ultrasound is an effective healing modality, and is used today in hospitals and clinics. Certain levels of ultrasound have even been known to treat severely life-afflicting ailments, like cystic fibrosis, and various forms of cancer.
Techniques involving spoken mantra are been taught and implemented in the practice of meditation. The word “mantra,” is a Sanskrit word, that accurately translates to the phrase: “mind instrument.” A mantra is a powerful sound vibration, much like that of a sistrum, or even more like a cat’s purr.
bexVN said:
But are they empathetic as this cat appears to be demonstrating?
I believe some cats absolutely are and are able to pick up on illness/ stress/ distress just like dogs can but maybe not as prevalent as in dogs.
Bast absolutely was, I credit her & her brother Chilli for curing my depression. I believe some cats absolutely are and are able to pick up on illness/ stress/ distress just like dogs can but maybe not as prevalent as in dogs.
Bast was also very aware when I was pregnant - it was her behaviour that alerted me to the fact that I was pregant as it was Pepi's recently. Both were very empathic and supportive when I miscarried (both times) as well, they did not leave me alone until I was recovered, mentally as well as physically. (Beauty not so much
she was very attentive when I was pregnant recently but went back to just wanting my husband once I was miscarrying)I used to offer to rent Bast out as she was so happy to go and sit on visitors and just purr and they'd leave feeling happy & content no matter what mood they'd arrived in.
My SiL had a nasty split recently and spent a lot of time at our house. Pepi (who ignores most people) got as close to her as her dared (he really is very timid) to comfort her
ETA - I now look even more like a complete nutter
Edited by ali_kat on Wednesday 19th August 12:34
Fitz was my shadow, there is no doubt in my mind that he knew when I was feeling down. He always loves fuss and attention would purr at the slightest touch but whenever I was upset he would just nzzle in as tight as he could and just be there whether and keep looking up at me,
I honestly have never had another cat quite like him.in.my life.
I honestly have never had another cat quite like him.in.my life.
Edited by bexVN on Wednesday 19th August 12:56
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