If it feels like true relaxation is impossible and you’re always stuck on high alert, you might know a bit what it feels like to have PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). It can feel like you’re trapped in a body that reacts in ways you hate while living in a mind that’s constantly thinking about worst case scenarios. 

Maybe you’ve tried medication, or you don’t want to, and you’re still looking for extra support. If you’re considering an ESA (Emotional Support Animal), read on to see if they’re a good fit for you to reduce PTSD symptoms and create a healthier lifestyle.

Finding Natural Relief for PTSD

PTSD is a global epidemic. Long gone are the days where we (barely) used this label for army vets alone. Millions of people worldwide are struggling with an overactive nervous system and spiraling negative thoughts. It’s like carrying a backpack weighed down with all the worst memories of your past and fears of your future, and you can’t seem to let it go. 

While talk therapy is helpful, many people still want extra daily support. An ESA can help PTSD in a hands-on way with daily help. They can offer a full-time calm and grounding presence, immediate tactical touch for physical comfort from panic, and a sense of purpose and routine to stabilize the day. Research agrees, showing that ESAs can reduce depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms. 

Understanding PTSD Treatment Options

One of the first lines of treatment for PTSD includes different types of talk therapy, like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Strong research suggests it’s beneficial for people with PTSD, along with secondary depression involved. It works to help you process past traumas differently, and understand how it impacts your behavior and emotions. Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE) or just Exposure Therapy (ET) is another effective method for PTSD. It can also help to reduce symptoms, including depressive symptoms. 

EMDR for PTSD

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is another therapy technique commonly used for PTSD. It works to target specific traumatic memories. It works to train your brain and nervous system to associate those memories with less current anxiety. 

It works through bilateral stimulation, where you either hold small vibrating paddles or follow a therapist’s finger movements with your eyes while remembering traumatic events. Disturbing experiences can make you store memories a bit differently and in a way that doesn’t make room for healthy healing. Because this proper healing doesn’t take place, it’s like your brain doesn’t get the message that the danger is over, so you continue living in anxiety and fear. 

With EMDR, you access your trauma memories in a way that can help you reprocess the event and almost “repair” the mental injury. When it’s successful, remembering the event will begin to feel different — not like you’re reliving it anymore, and the emotions will become more manageable. There’s a whole process to how it works, and you can find therapists specifically certified in this type of therapy. 

Medication for PTSD

For many, therapy alone may not feel like enough. Medication aims to balance brain chemicals related to mood and your stress response. Some of the most commonly prescribed meds for PTSD are antidepressants. This includes Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs). Brand names include Zoloft, Prozac, Paxil, and Effexor. 

While medication might help, it can also come with side effects that don’t work for everyone. Some of these side effects include:

• Nausea
• Dizziness 
• Headaches 
• Weight gain
• Sleep difficulties 
• Sexual dysfunction
• Emotional numbness 
• Increased anxiety and agitation (especially at the beginning of treatment)

In general, research tends to show that behavior and talk therapy can set you up for longer-lasting results than medication alone. That’s likely because it tackles emotional processing, new coping tools, and helps you take action on steps that improve your daily health and build resilience. You’re left with strategies that you can use life-long, where medication may only work while you’re taking it. 

Medication vs. Emotional Support Animals: A Comparison

PTSD treatment and medication is an incredibly personal choice. What works for you might be different from what works for someone else. It’s best to speak to a mental health professional before making any choices. 

Here’s a quick overall comparison of how meds might compare to ESAs for PTSD:

Why an ESA Could Be Better for Some People with PTSD

An ESA has plenty to offer, including lifestyle changes that can help reduce symptoms. The right ESA for you might help with:

• Grounding When Triggered: If your heart is racing, palms are sweating, and your chest is so tight you feel like you can’t breathe, an ESA can step in to remind you that you’re safe in this moment. For example, a dog might nudge you to remind you where you are, while a cat could come to you and start purring by your side so you feel their calming vibrations.

• Constant Connection and Security: PTSD can feel like living in never-ending hypervigilance where you’re always on guard for threats. This can lead to social withdrawal and an increasing sense of loneliness. Your ESA, however, will stay by your side even when you’re at home. If you have a dog, you’d also feel responsible for taking them out for walks, which can naturally boost your mood and get you interacting with others. 

• Natural Coping Tools: An ESA makes you add a bit of structure, routine, and purpose to your day. Now, you have a soul to feed and care for, helping you to move past your blocks and care for them even when you don’t feel like it. They can help you get up and go to bed at the same time, as well as get more active — all which research shows helps to reduce PTSD symptoms. For example, all pet owners get more exercise than non-owners. 

How to Decide If an ESA Is Right for You

If you’re not sure if an ESA will be a good fit for you, here’s what might help with making the decision:

• Can you see an ESA providing consistent comfort during episodes of distress?
• Are you open to changing your routine and tending to your animal’s needs and not just your own? 
• Would caring for an animal increase your sense of purpose? 
• Do you want to dedicate time to your ESA daily to give them mental and physical stimulation?
• Do you have the mental and physical energy as well as the financial resources to care for an ESA? 
• Can you provide a safe and stable environment for an ESA, free from abuse or neglect?
• Does your therapist believe that an ESA aligns with your PTSD treatment plan?

If you answered “yes” to most of these questions, an ESA might work for you. Just be sure to talk to a mental health professional about it before making any transitions. 

How to Transition from Medication to ESA Support

Here’s what to keep in mind if you’re considering transition from medication to an ESA: 

• Get Professional Guidance: Tapering off medication requires observation from a psychiatrist. You must get a professional plan for reducing medication to avoid negative side effects. 

• Plan Ahead: Your therapist should be aware of your plans to reduce medication and work to help manage the transition. Continuing to see your therapist is recommended so you can work on coping strategies and adjustments for your new ESA. 

• Foster: Before diving in fully, volunteer at an animal shelter and/or foster. See what type of animal suits you, and if you really have the desire and capacity to adopt one for life. 

• Use Your ESA for Grounding and Healing: Think about how you can interact with your ESA daily in a way that benefits each of you. When will you feed them? What will playtime look like and when can you dedicate some time fully to their needs for exercise and mental stimulation? Remember, a bored animal can also get anxiety and act out. 

Debunking Myths About ESAs for PTSD

Here are some of the most common myths about ESAs that need clarifying:

• “Only Service Dogs Can Help PTSD”
  
  • ESAs have been shown to be helpful for a variety of serious mental illnesses. Even studies comparing PTSD service dogs to ESAs showed that both benefited PTSD. However, if you have severe PTSD symptoms, a support dog might be a better match. 

• “It’s Too Expensive to Get an ESA”
  
  • The cost of an ESA often depends on the type of animal you get. In general, ESAs can be more affordable than service dogs if you’re not covered by insurance. This is because service dogs need expensive training. Dogs also tend to be more expensive than cats. Health insurance for your ESA can also help mitigate unexpected vet bills. Research how much a pet might cost in your area, including food, toys, travel care, and vet bills, before making your decision. 

• “ESAs Are Just Pets”
  
  • While pets and ESAs can have mental health benefits for their owners, they can offer even more specific therapeutic help for people with PTSD. Their constant grounding presence and need for routine can make a massive difference to symptoms. Whether the label is “pet” or “ESA” doesn’t matter — the point is that if an animal helps reduce symptoms, they offer emotional support and act as an ESA. 

How to Qualify for and Choose the Perfect ESA

If you’re interested in getting a valid ESA letter so you can move wherever you like without worrying about no-pet-policies, here’s how to move forward:

• Get a Consult: Take Pettable’s 3-minute quiz to get assigned to a licensed mental health professional. They’ll talk with you to see if you fit the requirements for a letter. 

• Have a Mental Health Condition: If you can explain your symptoms or a previous diagnosis, and how an ESA can reduce symptoms, you’ll likely qualify for an ESA letter. 

Choosing the Right ESA:

Here’s what to look out for in an ESA when you’re deciding what type would work for you: 

• Calm vibe
• Trainablility 
• Affectionate 
• Emotional connection
• Energy levels that match yours
• Fits in your home space comfortably
• Sense of comfort and security around them 
• Needs that match your resources and energy levels 
• Safe space available for them when you’re travelling or working

A Natural Path to Healing PTSD

If you’re looking for extra daily PTSD support and a reason to switch-up your routine (and you love animals), an ESA can be a great match. They give you constant companionship, cuddles, physical comfort, and structure. Whether it’s a dog, cat, or something else, most animals love regular feeding times and physical activity. 

Of course, an ESA also means taking on their life and well-being as your responsibility, so it’s something to consider seriously. If you want to take the next step, try fostering and talk to a therapist about whether or not they’d make a good fit for you. You can also have a consultation with one of Pettable’s licensed mental health professionals to see if you qualify. Take the 3-minute quiz now to see if an ESA might be able to offer that extra bit of daily support.