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Contrary to popular belief, Bipolar disorder (previously known as manic depression) is not a rare condition, and it affects as many as 5.7 million Americans per year over the age of 18, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Many Americans remain undiagnosed, as around twenty percent of patients seeing a doctor due to depression are actually dealing with bipolar disorder, and many people with this condition typically suffer from other mental illnesses and substance abuse, which can make a diagnosis difficult. Bipolar disorder is often caused by a hormonal imbalance, stress, severe grief or loss, or history of abuse or trauma. There are several different types of Bipolar Disorder, and it can manifest itself in many ways. Drastic and unpredictable mood swings, speech, depression, anxiety, severe irritability or manic behavior such as an unexplained increase of energy or activity, obsessiveness, racing thoughts or rapid speech.

There are many treatments currently available for bipolar disorder, including conventional western solutions such as prescription medication, mood stabilizers, and therapy. Once diagnosed, patients may need multiple forms of treatment for their specific type of Bipolar Disorder. Service dogs are increasingly popular support available for people with Bipolar Disorder. 

Service Dogs And Bipolar Disorder

Service dogs are animals that undergo intensive training in order to assist people suffering from physical, intellectual or mental disabilities with everyday tasks. There are different types of service dogs including hearing dogs, guide dogs, mobility assistance dogs, and psychiatric service dogs. Psychiatric service dogs support those with mental disabilities including anxiety, depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Autism, Schizophrenia, and Bipolar Disorder.

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How Service Dogs Can Help

Service dogs can not only be trained for tasks related to Bipolar Disorder, but also for tasks specific to an individual’s symptoms and needs regarding his or her disorder. The service dog works to assist the owner in many ways, which can help alleviate the negative symptoms of Bipolar Disorder. Some of the tasks service dogs may perform include reminding the owner to take medications, waking and reminding the owner to go to bed at a certain time to maintain healthy and consistent sleep cycles, retrieving a phone for the owner to call support people during times of emotional distress or crisis, interrupting or distracting from dangerous or self-harming behaviors through licking, nudging, applying weight to the chest or bringing a toy to play, alerting the owner to an alarm such as a smoke alarm, sirens or the phone ringing if the owner is asleep or sedated due to prescription medication, and bringing the owner back to reality during manic episodes. 

How To Get A Service Dog For Bipolar Disorder

To apply for a service dog, individuals will need to obtain a letter of recommendation from a doctor outlining details of his or her condition and will need to apply through a service dog program. Most training programs can last up to two years and will include food and veterinary care for the dog. A dog owner can expect to invest a minimum of $20,000 for a trained service dog and will pay around $2,500 a year to care for the dog. There are certain requirements each dog owner must meet before being approved for a service dog, and these vary across states and programs. Individuals who wish to apply for a Psychiatric Service Dog can review more detailed information regarding legalities, the application process and criteria for selection at the Assistance Dogs International Website. 

ESA's For Bipolar Disorder

Emotional Therapy dogs are another type of support animal that commonly assists those with less debilitating mental disabilities. Emotional therapy dogs are more like pets that comfort and support their owners in times of mental stress, and their training is less intensive. Many animals can serve as emotional therapy animals such as cats, horses or pigs if you aren’t a dog person. If your mental illness is less severe and you’re looking for a more cost-efficient solution, you may be interested in an emotional therapy dog. 

If you have Bipolar Disorder, a psychiatric service dog may be the right choice for you. It’s important to talk with your doctor to discuss the right treatment options for you, as service dogs for Bipolar Disorder are not necessarily able or intended to take the place of conventional treatment for severe disorders, but rather they are an element of support along with other solutions.