Every so often, over on this side of the Atlantic, we get word of the results of a long-term study conducted by scientific researchers in Great Britain that focused on felines. There was the controversial one about cats’ intelligence (harrumph), and the one that claimed as a major discovery the feline ability to manipulate us to get what they want; specifically, in that study’s case, the use by conniving kitties of a special kind of purr used especially at their desired feeding time.
Now, according to Canadian physician and journalist Dr. W. Gifford-Jones, the results of another study are in. Dr. June Nicholas, a psychologist in Haywards Heath, England conducted a five-year study to determine whether having a cat had any effect on people who suffer each winter from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
And the results? People with cats had less physical problems and better mental health than did those without kitties. What a surprise!
Nicholas’ study also found that 60% of cat parents had fewer headaches, and were 21% less likely to catch a cold or the flu than those without a cat curative curled up nearby.
While it is no doubt greatly amusing to many cat people that it took more than five seconds (let alone five years) to figure out that having a cat is good for you—no matter what ails you-- SAD is no laughing matter.
Nearly 12 million Americans suffer from SAD, according to New York Presbyterian Hospital (NYPH). The lifelong condition includes bouts of depression thought to be caused by changes in the body in response to different amounts of daily sunlight.
Symptoms of SAD include oversleeping, weight gain, and social withdrawal. In extreme cases, people suffering from SAD can have suicidal thoughts.
NYPH sites that the majority of SAD sufferers are women. Perhaps this dovetails nicely with the one somewhat unexpected detail reported from Nicholas’ study: men under 40 benefited the most from having a kitty companion during the dark days of winter.
The most common treatment prescribed for New Yorkers and others with SAD is a fluorescent light box. Sitting in front of the light box daily is said to help alleviate this chronic condition.
While it is not clear if the New York medical community will embrace the idea that SAD sufferers should “take one cat and call me in the morning,” adding a cat to your household will brighten your life exponentially. Adopt a kitty from a shelter and you can go from SAD to HAPPY—Having A Perfect Pussycat Year!
Comments
I've never been diagnosed with SAD, but I do tend to get blue at dusk. I'm fine once the sun is down, don't ask me why. But until the sun sets, I usually take that time to cuddle with my cats (and dogs!) and I can attest that that do make me feel much better!
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