How much do your pets help wBipolar?

[CRSeaside]

I'm wondering how many out there receive benefits from their pets? I have a dog & cat in Costa Rica. I feel blessed to be part of their lives! They help me with depression & mania. They calm me when I'm about to have a panic attack.
My kitty sleeps with me on her own kitty sheet. The doggie lives outside. I get exercise by walking her.
I'm really grateful and believe they understand & know when I need them most!
  What's your experience been?

[UpandDown1]

I have a small dog that I think really helps me. She sleeps with me also. When I dread  going home from work she is always so happy to see me. Even when I have not alway's treated her that way. I also feel that they know and understand that something is going on. Had a bad year last year. Pschycologically and physically. Was confined pretty much to my room for months either in a wheel chair or in the bed. Spent 3 months in a pysch ward.

But yes my pet is helping me. I am sure of it.

[CRSeaside]

I wonder why petting the cat is more fun for me than the dog?

[CRSeaside]

I got over my kitten dieing by being a kitty foster mom. You keep the kittens till they're weaned. Then they go up for adoption.
I finally adopted one of the moms I had here. She was so little and kinda feral. Now she's the best cat I've ever had.

[Sheba2015]

I lost my cat after 10 years and she was the most stable thing in my life. My family says I should give myself some time before getting a new one but not sure if I can handle the loneliness. So to your question, I think animals have a 6th sense when they know we need them and the unconditional love they give us.

[schizofriendia]

I don't have bipolar disorder but I wouldn't trade my cat for anything in the world with how I'm apparently not meant to have a social life because no one will talk to me 99% of the time and when they do and I finally get to talk about how I want to kill myself or something I get interrogated with arguments that are logical fallacies on how my feelings are irrelevant, but my cat doesn't do any of this.

[CRSeaside]

My dog keeps running away at night. Tonight I'm going to put her in swimming pool house.
  Kitty is a doll. Helps my mood. I'm dreading Febuary when I return to Ca. No more pets.
It's all good for now. I'm wondering if I can take my meds every other day?
Anyone ?

[Bubulous]

I am glad that you find your animals help you with your symptoms.  I find it to be one of the wonders of the world how if you give love away you get that love back even greater.  It goes along with the quotes: "You can't give away what you don't have," and from the Bible- Luke 3: 38
"Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure-- pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return."
Some people believe this only translates to the giving of tithes but I have found that it also holds true for love and attention... both good and bad.
The way it may translate to bipolar is that we can give our attention to depression and negative thinking and in return we get more of it.  Give love and compassion and it will be given to you in return.

[CRSeaside]

MommyBaby my kitty, caught a gecko today and yesterday a humming bird.
Fun to watch nature in action. The howler monkeys came by early this am.
Groomed the dog. Wish I could find a cure for ticks. Going to take her on a hike tomorrow.  They keep me company and ease the bipolar symptoms.