How my snake helps with my depression-- anyone else have depression?

[Reinz]

Congrats!
Fish and snakes just seem to go together.

Agree, but I hate fishing snakes out from under the bed.

[Sharon&Sherman]

My dad died about a year ago in a very horrible way...My mom saw me sitting around and asked me if I wanted to get a pet to help me through my grief. I don't know if I have depression but I am often unhappy and I feel like I might have it. We were going to get a dog but I went to a Petsmart, saw the ball pythons, and asked to hold one. I liked them and knew that if we got a dog mom would be complaining and stuff and it might not work out. Before my dad died I had asked him for one and he said maybe if he got his own apartment. I kinda forgot about it because it didn't look like that would happen anytime soon. Anyways when I got home from a vacation that I was on I ordered my baby boy Sherman with the money dad left behind. Dad still got me that snake he said he might get me and I like thinking of it like that. I often wish he could meet Sherman. He calms me when I am nervous and when I'm sad he provides companionship. I love him. Snakes have become one of my favorite animals. I'm happy that they have helped you guys and I wish more people would see that they aren't horrible creatures.

[FollowTheSun]

My dad died about a year ago in a very horrible way...My mom saw me sitting around and asked me if I wanted to get a pet to help me through my grief. I don't know if I have depression but I am often unhappy and I feel like I might have it. We were going to get a dog but I went to a Petsmart, saw the ball pythons, and asked to hold one. I liked them and knew that if we got a dog mom would be complaining and stuff and it might not work out. Before my dad died I had asked him for one and he said maybe if he got his own apartment. I kinda forgot about it because it didn't look like that would happen anytime soon. Anyways when I got home from a vacation that I was on I ordered my baby boy Sherman with the money dad left behind. Dad still got me that snake he said he might get me and I like thinking of it like that. I often wish he could meet Sherman. He calms me when I am nervous and when I'm sad he provides companionship. I love him. Snakes have become one of my favorite animals. I'm happy that they have helped you guys and I wish more people would see that they aren't horrible creatures.

Ohhhh my goodness! This is so touching! I'm so sorry for your loss of your father, and I'm glad that he bought you that snake! :-)

[Bogertophis]

My dad died about a year ago in a very horrible way...My mom saw me sitting around and asked me if I wanted to get a pet to help me through my grief. I don't know if I have depression but I am often unhappy and I feel like I might have it. We were going to get a dog but I went to a Petsmart, saw the ball pythons, and asked to hold one. I liked them and knew that if we got a dog mom would be complaining and stuff and it might not work out. Before my dad died I had asked him for one and he said maybe if he got his own apartment. I kinda forgot about it because it didn't look like that would happen anytime soon. Anyways when I got home from a vacation that I was on I ordered my baby boy Sherman with the money dad left behind. Dad still got me that snake he said he might get me and I like thinking of it like that. I often wish he could meet Sherman. He calms me when I am nervous and when I'm sad he provides companionship. I love him. Snakes have become one of my favorite animals. I'm happy that they have helped you guys and I wish more people would see that they aren't horrible creatures.

I'm so sorry about the loss of your dad and I'm glad that having Sherman is helping you. Pets can do so much for us...especially the "right ones" that are low-key and
just "there" for us. But if you come to realize that you need more than Sherman can do, there's nothing wrong with talking to someone also...it doesn't have to be just
one or the other. And we're glad to have you join us here too, but of course we're not professional counselors.

I love my dogs, but they need far more maintenance than a snake- every day, & all day long you have to be sure their needs are met. A snake was a fortunate choice,
& a sweet way to remember your dad too.

[Craiga 01453]

My dad died about a year ago in a very horrible way...My mom saw me sitting around and asked me if I wanted to get a pet to help me through my grief. I don't know if I have depression but I am often unhappy and I feel like I might have it. We were going to get a dog but I went to a Petsmart, saw the ball pythons, and asked to hold one. I liked them and knew that if we got a dog mom would be complaining and stuff and it might not work out. Before my dad died I had asked him for one and he said maybe if he got his own apartment. I kinda forgot about it because it didn't look like that would happen anytime soon. Anyways when I got home from a vacation that I was on I ordered my baby boy Sherman with the money dad left behind. Dad still got me that snake he said he might get me and I like thinking of it like that. I often wish he could meet Sherman. He calms me when I am nervous and when I'm sad he provides companionship. I love him. Snakes have become one of my favorite animals. I'm happy that they have helped you guys and I wish more people would see that they aren't horrible creatures.

Thank you so much for sharing this story. I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your father, my best wishes are being sent your way.

That is SUPER cool that you decided to purchase a new pet and your dad was able to buy your snake after all. I'm sure a part of your dad is living on through your snake and will live on for many years to come.

Again, thanks for sharing this story. You truly warmed my heart this morning. I wish you and Sherman all the best moving forward.

[FollowTheSun]

I just wanted to add to this thread-- if anyone needs to talk about anything, I'm a good listener and I understand what it's like to struggle. You can PM me any time.

[Craiga 01453]

I just wanted to add to this thread-- if anyone needs to talk about anything, I'm a good listener and I understand what it's like to struggle. You can PM me any time.

Very cool.

I'm also happy to listen, talk, whatever anybody needs.
Please feel free to PM me as well. Whether it's you that struggling, a loved one, whatever. I couldn't do it alone, and nobody else should have to either.

[Sharon&Sherman]

me too

[Aerries]

Coming back from Iraq in 2006 and then dealing with the transition from military life to civilian life wasn’t an easy task for me. I found myself drinking (never did drugs) a lot more and ended up talking to my psychologist and psychiatrist and found myself with depression and anxiety with adjustment disorder. Years later I divorced my wife of 4 years and came out of the closet...lol yea scariest time of my life...even Iraq was better then this. And then right back into an abusive relationship that I was blindly used for my money and finical stability for 3 years....I lost everything! Two appts, 3 cars, and myself......I finally broke away and moved back with Mom and dad was still having mental problems. I ended up one night going on a bender....black out drunk, the only thing I remember was the airbag hitting my face. I had totaled two cars because I ran a red light. It still haunts me 8 years later. And I can admit I have a problem but it’s a demon that it’s my own. I still fight the depression and I tell you what...my Ramsey was the first thanks to my amazing husband and I go into my reptile room now and fall in love with them like it was the first day. They are my anxiety relief and they are my medicine. And I can’t thank my husband enough for that! Just wanted to share this because I feel comfortable. Yes I am a combat US Marine because I did bring up Iraq. And tbh there are times I wish I was back in because I still to this day hate civilian life.


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[Dianne]

Coming back from Iraq in 2006 and then dealing with the transition from military life to civilian life wasn’t an easy task for me. I found myself drinking (never did drugs) a lot more and ended up talking to my psychologist and psychiatrist and found myself with depression and anxiety with adjustment disorder. Years later I divorced my wife of 4 years and came out of the closet...lol yea scariest time of my life...even Iraq was better then this. And then right back into an abusive relationship that I was blindly used for my money and finical stability for 3 years....I lost everything! Two appts, 3 cars, and myself......I finally broke away and moved back with Mom and dad was still having mental problems. I ended up one night going on a bender....black out drunk, the only thing I remember was the airbag hitting my face. I had totaled two cars because I ran a red light. It still haunts me 8 years later. And I can admit I have a problem but it’s a demon that it’s my own. I still fight the depression and I tell you what...my Ramsey was the first thanks to my amazing husband and I go into my reptile room now and fall in love with them like it was the first day. They are my anxiety relief and they are my medicine. And I can’t thank my husband enough for that! Just wanted to share this because I feel comfortable. Yes I am a combat US Marine because I did bring up Iraq. And tbh there are times I wish I was back in because I still to this day hate civilian life.


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A lot of my military friends that served in combat are the same way...easier to cope with the known than readjust to “normal” stateside. Congratulations on the progress you’ve made as well as finding and freeing yourself...and best wishes for continued success. Each day is a new day. If today doesn’t go so well, there’s always tomorrow to try again.