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Emotional support animals are an integral part of therapy. In most cases, an ESA can offer more benefits than conventional treatments. Having a dog and cat for mere emotional support is very effective for people of all ages and mental health issues.
The government realizes the potential of ESAs as a part of therapy which is why there are laws allowing mental health patients to get a certification for their dog or cat and keep them as a legal ESA. All patients can apply for a cheap ESA letter online easily and enjoy the benefits that come along.
But, the question is, how do you know that you need an ESA? Are there certain indicators? Well, here are a few signs that can help you decide.
You Need an ESA Letter You Are Suffering Mentally
Mental health is just as important as physical health. Caring for both aspects is what leads to a state of total wellness. However, it’s also true that 19% of the total US population, which amounts to about 47 million citizens, are suffering from one or the other kinds of mental illnesses.
If you are one of these 47 million people, an ESA can benefit your state of mental health. Animals are great mood boosters. It’s not something they do on purpose but as per research, the presence of a dog or cat can elevate the levels of serotonin and other happy hormones. In fact, there is evidence of people suffering from chronic mental issues that benefit from an emotional support animal by their side. This explains why a cute puppy or kitten makes you want to talk in a baby voice. For that moment, you forget about everything else and just focus on how happy you are around that animal.
This effect is the reason why even medical professionals agree on using animal-assisted therapy for some patients with mental health issues. Whether it’s PTSD, anxiety, depression or lack of motivation, an ESA combined with proper medical treatment can help you get better.
The Medical Treatment Isn’t Enough
If you or anyone close to you is suffering from unstable emotions or mental health, it’s important to get professional help as soon as possible. Just as in the case of a physical ailment people don’t hesitate to consult a doctor, you need to employ the same level of concern in matters related to poor mental health.
Now, having said this, it is true that in some cases, especially the severe ones, popping pills and regular therapy sessions can be overwhelming for the patient. And the result can take a 180-degree turn quickly.
In such a situation, a doctor may recommend an ESA which can be a great complement to therapy and medications. They can be the much-needed support for the patient at home and outside.
Your Social Skills Aren’t the Best
Social anxiety is more common than you think. It’s not your fault if you are not born with social skills or have trouble being around a group of people. If you have similar issues in being social, an emotional support animal can be your solution.
Dogs, specifically, are very social animals or at least make it easy for you to be around people. For starters, you’ll have a wingman by your side for interactions and that support is more helpful than you think. And in situations where people have trouble starting a conversation, ESAs act as icebreakers and make conversing with other people easier.
An ESA will not completely take away your social anxiety, but it’s one step closer to having a better social life and an easier time in public places.
Your Quality of Life is Declining
The stress of life can be hard to deal with. And top it up with the feelings of loneliness and you get a very fragile and vulnerable mental state. Having a proper lifestyle and enjoying the activities of daily life can be very difficult in such a situation. It’s especially harder for people suffering from mental health conditions.
Having an ESA can be a silver lining in this case. It will give your life a purpose and stability since you’ll have to care for them. Its presence and love will lift up your spirits and mood. It’ll be the one friend you always wanted and give you the emotional support you need. ESAs are also a great way to bring back routine in your life as it has a specific time for food, play and walks that you will have to comply with.
So in conclusion, an ESA can be a contributor to a good quality of life.
Do You Qualify for an Emotional Support Animal?
If you relate to any of the points mentioned above, you can try applying for an ESA certification. With the help of telemedicine, you can now get a cheap ESA letter and that too at the comfort and safety of your home.
But, how do you know if you qualify for an ESA letter or not? Here’s how:
First of all, take a step back and check in with yourself. Are you capable of caring for an ESA? And do you think it will make your life better? If your answers were in the affirmative, go ahead and apply for a letter.
You need to have a mental health diagnosis to apply for an ESA. Generally, the qualification for an ESA depends on whether or not the patient suffers from a mental health condition mentioned in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM 5). Only a specialist can help you understand if you comply with the same or not. So, consulting a mental health specialist is essential.
If you have a specialist that you’ve been seeing for quite some time, you can ask them for an ESA certification. Or you can find an online clinic that offers consultations with expert mental health professionals to help you learn if you are eligible for an ESA or not.
The doctor will write you an ESA letter that you can use to live with your ESA and even keep them around you in school or college dorms without extra charges. Make sure to get a yearly renewal of the letter to keep enjoying the benefits that come along with having an emotional support animal.
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