One month, you’re building an epic business plan, feeling ecstatic and ready to quit your job and become your own boss. The next, you can barely get out of the shower and make it on time to the job you feel like you’ll never leave. 

Living with bipolar disorder means living with intense highs and lows, also known as mania and depression. Managing everything means reaching out for all the support and tools you can find. That’s why Emotional Support Animals (ESAs) are becoming so popular. 

ESAs can help create a more stable environment, offer constant companionship, and even reduce stress hormones. So when your mind starts racing and you’re feeling on the edge, you can get a gentle nudge on your hand from your dog, or weaving between your feet from your cat, as a reminder that it’s time to sit down and breathe with them by your side. 

Even with medication, behavioral management systems are still needed to create healthy lifestyle habits (something we all need). Read on to learn how an ESA can help manage bipolar symptoms through behavioral changes along with physical and emotional comfort (often in the form of epic cuddles). 

Understanding Bipolar Disorder and Its Treatment Options

With bipolar disorder, you can get periods of mania or depression that last for days, weeks, or months. While the symptoms might look different in everyone, some common characteristics are:

• Excitedness
• Restlessness
• Hopelessness
• Impulsiveness
• Racing thoughts
• Social withdrawal
• Emotional numbness
• Irritability and aggressiveness
• Difficulty sleeping or concentrating

When and where the shifts pop up are hard to say. Sometimes, there are signs that a period of depression or mania is coming. Before a depressive episode comes, you might notice a harder time sleeping, more fatigue and withdrawal from socializing and feeling overwhelmed by small tasks. A manic episode might arrive with more irritability, racing thoughts, or feeling more on edge and nervously excited as if you drank too much coffee. Triggers also play a big role. For example, overly stimulating environments, major life changes (like divorce or job loss), lack of sleep, or alcohol and substance abuse. 

Bipolar Treatment Options

With the intensity of the symptoms, the first line of treatment is usually a combination of medical and talk therapy. The issue with medication is that many people experience negative side effects that make them not want to take medication at all. This includes fatigue, emotional blunting, confusion, digestive issues, metabolic dysregulation (high blood pressure and blood sugar), and weight gain. Plus, there are people who become dependent or tolerant of medication and end up not noticing its benefits after some time. 

Talk therapy is still incredibly helpful and should be continued regularly. One of the most common methods is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to improve emotional regulation and learn new coping strategies. Another is Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT), which specifically helps with establishing a routine. 

Natural Support Through ESAs

Taking action on your own outside of therapy to create that routine and implement healthy habits is essential (for all us of). It’s not easy, though, which is why an ESA can be helpful. They give you something to care for, helping you to create a routine out of love for them. An ESA can naturally give you stability, routine, and purpose through daily walks and playtime, feedings, grooming and caring, and even the comfort of having a warm and loving presence by your side to fall asleep with.

Medication vs. Emotional Support Animals: A Comparative Approach

Here are some of the main differences between managing bipolar disorder with medication and ESAs:

Why an ESA Could Be Better for Some People with Bipolar Disorder

Since bipolar disorder can come with two extremes, let’s break down how an ESA might be helpful at different times: 

During Manic Episodes

It’s two in the morning and you are buzzing. You’re full of ideas and racing thoughts. You want to go to bed since you have an early day, but sleep feels impossible. In these moments, it can be helpful to distract yourself and do something calming.

Lying with your ESA might be one of the ways to do just that. You can listen to the sound of their breath, feel the warmth of their body and chest moving up and down, and stroke their fur, letting the rhythmic motions and sounds soothe you. Their presence, touch, and gentle demeanor just might be enough to make you feel calmer — helping to lower stress hormones and shift you into a more relaxed state. 

During Depressive Episodes

If depression is intense, you might be hiding away at home, avoiding everyone and everything. Except, you’re not fully alone with your ESA nearby. They might be happy to cuddle and comfort you, offering emotional support and reducing that feeling of empty loneliness. 

Knowing that they’re relying on you might also be enough to get you out of bed and into the kitchen to feed them (and maybe yourself, too). Once you get some momentum from the movement, you might even grab your shoes and take your dog for a walk (or a toy to play with your cat). Watching them interact while moving your body can set you in another direction, helping you to get back to routine and feel better. 

How to Decide If an ESA Is Right for You

Deciding whether or not to get an ESA is a deeply personal decision that depends on your lifestyle, interests, and needs. Here’s what to consider:

• Are you able to integrate a routine into your life for the care of your ESA? Animals thrive on routine (like many humans, even if our routines include variety and creativity). 

• Do you have the time, energy, and financial resources to take consistent care of an animal? This includes daily exercise, playtime and affection, feeding, grooming, and vet visits. 

• Could an ESA help with your symptoms? For example, could their presence de-escalate a manic episode and anxiety? Would having to care for them be enough to push you to go for a walk, feed, and play with them even when in a depressive state?

• Would an ESA help with reducing stress in general and potentially help guard against triggers?

It may also be best to talk to a mental health professional to really dive into whether an ESA is a good fit for you. They can help you take a practical approach and assess what’s possible and most helpful.  

How to Transition from Medication to ESA Support

If you’re taking medication, you must speak with your doctor about tapering off (if that’s your goal). A licensed mental health professional can help with the cognitive-behavioral aspect of the transition. They will work with you to find a balance with other stress-management techniques and potentially, figure out how an ESA can fit in. 

Including an ESA in Your Life

Here are a few ways to include your ESA in your daily routine and symptom management:

• Start the day with connection. Give yourself a mindful morning moment with your ESA in a way that grounds you. Instead of rushing for work or checking emails first thing, check in with your animal sidekick for a little cuddle. 

• Structure your day with your ESA in mind. Use their needs to your advantage. For example, a quick morning walk before breakfast to set your day in momentum. 

• Incorporating breaks. To lower those stress hormones throughout the day, think about how you can be present with your ESA. Maybe that’s physical touch, playtime, or just watching them sleep (because what else is more adorable) .

• Create a calming bedtime ritual. Their nightly feedings and walk or playtime can be a great way to get off the screens and wind down for the day. Dogs need their walks and cats need their exercise so they’re not waking you bored throughout the night. Create designated quality time before bed that works for you both. 

• Check-in and adjust. Our needs are always changing. Be curious as to what might help make your routine and day better for you and your ESA. Maybe that’s an earlier bedtime or more stimulation, who knows? 

Debunking Myths About ESAs for Bipolar Disorder

These are some of the most common myths that need busting:

• “ESAs Can’t Help With Bipolar Disorder”
  
  • ESAs can calm stress hormones, which might help during a manic or depressive episode. They can also help with prevention by offering more safety, security, and movement to your days. 

• “It’s Hard to Get an ESA Letter for Bipolar Disorder”
  
  • Getting an ESA letter with Pettable is easy. You’re automatically connected with a licensed mental health professional who assesses how your ESA helps you. From there, they write an ESA letter that keeps your animal by your side even when you move. 

• “Only Certain Animals Can Be ESAs”
  
  • Almost any animal that can be domesticated can be an ESA. That includes cats, dogs, horses, fish, reptiles, rodents, and more. 

How to Qualify for and Choose the Perfect ESA

To qualify for an ESA letter for bipolar disorder, you’ll need to find a licensed professional to speak with. Under the Fair Housing Act (FHA), an ESA is entitled to live anywhere, even in places with no-pet policies. Pettable connects you with a professional licensed in your state who can assess your situation and give you a valid ESA letter if appropriate. You only need to demonstrate that you have a mental health condition and that an ESA helps manage symptoms. 

Choosing the Best ESA For You

There’s no perfect answer as to which type of animal might suit you best. It’s not just the breed that counts, it’s their unique personality, too. Here are some things that might make the selection process easier: 

1. Foster the type of animal you’re interested in to see if it’s a good fit. 
2. Think about the financial cost of the type of animal you’d like. 
3. Keep their temperament in mind — you want an energy level that suits you. 
4. Find an ESA that fits your daily routine and doesn’t ask more of you than you can give. 

Achieving Balance with Natural Support

If you love animals and you’re open to adding a different kind of stress-management system for your well-being, an ESA might be a great fit. No matter whether or not you’re on medication, they can help manage symptoms by creating a more calming and stable home environment. You get more regular comfort and a sense of purpose in their care. Plus, there’s the routine and their presence alone that keeps you grounded. 

Ultimately, finding a fit with an ESA can be life-changing if you’re open to it. The unconditional love, judgment-free listening ear, and physical comfort can calm your state and work to reduce the impact of triggers. Curious to learn more? Take the 3-minute quiz on Pettable to get connected with a licensed mental health professional to find out if you qualify for an ESA.