Ball pythons as antidepressants

[annarac5]

I just wanted to share my experience with snakes (BPs specifically) and much they have helped with my mental & emotional states.

Let me just start off by saying I have a fair amount of experience caring for snakes (I work at a center that does educational reptile programs in local schools) but never in my 20 years have I had a snake of my own. I yearned for one so badly, but held off due to mental health issues. To put it briefly, 2015 was a rough year for me, and with two suicide attempts happening over the past 7 months, I wasn't sure if I would be able to care for a snake, let alone keep myself alive any longer. These days I can barely take care of my self, so I wondered how I could take care of a snake of my own and give it the care it really deserved.

After mulling it over for a few months, I told myself I would push myself and I went and adopted my first snake, a 5 year old ball python. The second I brought her home I started tearing up because I just felt such calm contentedness being around her. All my negative intrusive thoughts vanished for a brief moment and everything was okay. It was beautiful. Of course, moments like these do not last, and the next morning I had transitioned into a pretty deep depressive episode. Normally, during these days, I get through them by either sleeping or drinking. anything to stay sedated. but I knew I had to get up for my snake, to check on her, to make sure her enclosure's temperature and humidity was alright, to see how her shedding was doing, etc. and I did. i felt like i had a purpose, a reason to live, even if it was just to ensure that this scaly creature was comfortable. and sometimes that's all i need. depression is going to be a lifelong struggle for me but i feel so thankful to have this amazing reptile in my life to keep me going. as someone has been to 8 different psychiatrists over the past 10 years, and has tried out every antidepressant on the market, I have to say, snakes bring joy to my life like nothing else has ever been able to. I'm so thankful. anyways...got a bit too personal here but just thought I would share. thanks for reading! if anyone else has had similar experiences i'd love to hear them!

[Herpo]

Not too personal at all! Your post here is capable of, dare I say, saving the lives of others suffering from depression as you are. It has always been my belief that snakes, and animals in general, can work wonders for your health, and here is my proof.

Know that we support you, and good luck in your life and the world of snakes as well.

[treaux]

Nice of you to share your story. Snakes make wonderful comfort pets and are much less demanding than say a dog or cat. Plus I find their calm existential state soothing in its own way. They are not eager to please you or dependent on you pleasing them. You just provide them with a safe and comfortable environment and they provide you company and a generally reliable personality. I especially like BPs because they are very cute and have great little mannerisms.

I work in mental health as an emergency responder and recommend snakes to a lot of my clients.

[BWB]

Owning a snake has surprised me immensely. They are very calming and interesting, aren't demanding but still require a certain amount of attention - just the right amount for me. Plus you can never have too many, unlike cats or dogs.

[Kokorobosoi]

Never apologize for sharing what's important to you!! I can absolutely relate to you, in fact my parrot was what kept me going- little turd would fling her food at me until I got out of bed and played with her. My hubby figured out I would get up for animals when I wouldn't for myself.

Fast forward a few months and now we have dogs chinchillas ferrets rats hamsters snakes bearded dragons and the bird. Every time I get the schedule down pat and start to have too much free time (which is dangerous for me) something else shows up. Right now I'm hand feeding a rat pup. Every two hours. (The three balls all refused it. Turds.) so now it's a pet and I'm desperately trying to keep it going.

Speaking of which, the alarm just went off. Gotta go make formula.

[rlditmars]

Thank you for sharing. Never stop fighting the depression and never give up. Just remind yourself that it is just the way you respond to your chemistry and that the reality is not as bad as the perception. My hope for you is you will find a treatment that brings you relief but in the meantime, keep the snake close at hand because it sounds like it's helping.

[Smitty33]

Thanks for sharing, just that alone can help a lot. While not as severe as you I too have suffered with depression for 20+ years (I'm 53). Mine isn't real severe, never attempted suicide but it just makes me feel sick and very tired a lot. I had went to doctor because I felt very ill and thought maybe I had cancer or something very serious and when he told me he thought it was depression I thought he was nuts but a month after taking medication I felt like a million bucks. I take a low dose of Zoloft daily and have been pretty good. Only problem is I've tried to go off it and end up right back feeling sick. Last time I went off it and went back was a real pain. Taking it again took me about 2 weeks of going through feeling horrible until it finally kicked in and I was feeling better. So I have pretty much accepted the fact I'll probably have to take it for the rest of my life.
Pets can sure help ALOT. I have a large female newfoundland that is just amazing for this. She is so loving and will hug right up too you and you just can't help but feel immensely better when she's around. While snakes aren't really cuddly or anything just having an animal that relies on you for their care is an huge help.
I wish you the best of luck in your coping with this illness. It can be very trying and many don't understand how it affects people and their lives. NEVER feel you can't reach out for help from someone, sometimes that alone can help BIG TIME!!!

[Ax01]

thank u annarac5, Kokorobosoi and Smitty33 for sharing. i've gone through similar struggles. moving outta California and back home probably saved my life. my snakes have given me something to love.


stay strong,


Ax

[Reinz]

Thanks for sharing Ann and Smitty.

When my youngest daughter was a teenager she was institutionalized three times for suicidal thoughts and vey severely carving herself. She is physically scarred for life. And we even had every knife locked up and she was locked inside our bedroom sleeping with us. She managed to carve herself by breaking up Bic razors and removing the blades.

She tried a plethora of meds, which caused a VERY rapid weight gain of over 100 pounds. We and the doctor were ok with that as long as the meds helped keep her alive. But, that is still pretty rough on a teenage girl's self esteem.

We gave her permission for a BP which helped immensely. We had the typical pets already at home, but I feel that it was more than the care taking that helped her.

I never gave the snake any attention until My daughter went off to college and I inherited it.

When I was then forced to take care of the snake and handle it. That aha, lightbulb moment hit me. I was amazed at how peaceful the snake was. And the tranquility that came over me while handling. Truly amazing.

I believe the snake was very instrumental in saving my daughter.

She eventually got her own dog, which I believe helped her even more, before getting married.

She has been off meds for a few years now after becoming a raging alcoholic (under control for now). And her weight is now normal. She still has her struggles.

I totally endorse snakes for help with depression.


Elvira the Lifesaver

[Leviathan623]

My Ball Python helps me with my depression too. I can't wait to see him grow big and to have a rack system with other morphs. He's a really cool normal.