(Robert Glatter MD, Forbes) — A growing body of research indicates that ongoing and prolonged loneliness is associated with adverse health outcomes, including elevated risk for diabetes, hypertension, cancer, coronary artery disease, depression, anxiety and suicide.
The pandemic—especially during periods of strict lockdown—has led to a heightened risk for all of these adverse outcomes, based on a recent CDC study. Symptoms of anxiety increased nearly three fold compared to the second quarter of 2019, and diagnoses of depression quadrupled, with 40% of adults in the U.S. reporting they have struggled with mental health or substance abuse during April to June of 2020.
While Zoom and social media may help to ease loneliness during periods of lockdown, in-person human connection is ideal. However, when that is not possible or feasible, bonds that people form with animals can prove to be quite valuable in this regard.
In fact, it turns out that one potential way to reduce escalating psychological stress during lockdown periods is having a pet in your home, according to results of a new study. (…)