Depression: Can Dolphins Relieve Depression Symptoms?
There are various treatments for depression but this one can be
not only original, but also effective. Swimming with dolphins
can be an effective therapy for depression according to a
research carried out in Honduras. It was known that these
animals had healing properties for other diseases but not
alleviating depression. Under support of biophilia theory, which
shows how human health and wellbeing are dependent on our
relationships with the natural environment, the research showed
that swimming with dolphins is an effective treatment for mild
to moderate depression.
According to the British Medical Journal a randomised controlled
study of animal facilitated therapy with dolphins in the
treatment of depression.
The study was performed in Honduras with 30 patients diagnosed
with mild or moderate depression. 50 per cent of them were
assigned to the experimental group and the other 50 per cent to
the control group.
Patients of the experimental group swam and snorkelled in the
water with dolphins for one hour a day during a two-week period.
Meanwhile, partients of the control group exercised the same
water activities, but without dolphins, in order to control the
influence of water and the natural setting.
Antidepressant drugs or psychotherapy were discontinued for all
patients at least four weeks before the research and they were
also not allowed to take drugs during the study. The average
severity of the depressive symptoms was more reduced in the
experimental group than in the control group.
The experts that led the study stated that effects caused by the
animals were significantly greater than those of just the
natural setting. They also explained that the emotions raised by
the interaction with dolphins may explain the mammals' healing
properties.
Participants from both groups reported lasting improvement and
did not require treatment even three months after the study.
Which This suggests that in patients with mild or moderate
depression, using drugs or conventional psychotherapy may not be
necessary when biophilic treatment with animals is used, they
conclude.