Will chickens help my depression?

[JohnPeel]

Yes, that's likely the case, they do eat lots of grass and weeds. It's funny to see them when I am doing some digging, I end up with a spade full of soil with a chicken stood on top. All six have their faces to the ground right next to where I am about to dig to see who can get any worm that shows its face, or at least the part of worm that would have a face if were anything but a worm

I am really enjoying these chooks though. It's like having dogs but without the hairs, the dog eggs, and the smell.

 

[Bunnylady]

Plus, they bawk instead of bark - I imagine the neighbors appreciate that difference, too.

 

[Fancychooklady]

Hi John, nice to hear from you again. Life is certainly busy, but you'll always find time to marvel at your feathered friends. We are just heading into autumn here. My favorite time of the year. We are surrounded by European trees , so my chickens have hours of digging and scratching in the leaf matter. I find that if I put all the vege scraps in the bottom of the steamer when I'm cooking our dinner it softens them enough for them to enjoy them. They love the vege water as well. The only things mine don't eat are potatoes , onions and avocado!

 

[educate2inspire]

Glad it all worked out and you were able to get your ckickens! I saw the page on your coop, that is some amazing and beautiful work!! I think you made a good decision. My husband and I just got our first chicks a couple weeks ago and I asked him today if he thought it's be as much fun as it is, and he said no. We both had been waiting to do this for so long and had looked forward to finally getting some, but the hours of entertainment and laughter we get from watching their antics is such a pleasant surprise!

 

[missnu01]

have

Well done for reading this thread, I am sure that took some doing, with me babbling on like I do. Depression is a terrible thing, and I really feel for anyone with it.

The ups and downs are no fun at all. Just last night my partner and I decided to sell the house and go our seperate ways. We are still here in the house at the moment, and we are not sure how we can do this splitting up thing. Neither of us want it, but we cant live like we do either.

We have been together 7 years, and for the last 4 years, we are together 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year in year out, and this in itself has taken its toll. My wife feels that if you want to have time on your own, you shouldnt be together, but I dont agree. I think you need time apart to fully appreciate your time together. Added to this is the fact that I have 2 teenage daughters to a previous partner, and I hardly ever see them.

My partner wont have them staying over, even though she gets on with them, and I am unable to see them on my own, as my  wife doesnt want me to. The same with my family. I have only seen my mum once on my own in 7 years, and I havent seen any of my sisters on their own at all in that time.

I told my wife last night that we need to sell the houses because I need some time to myself, even just one day every couple of weeks to see my daughters and family, and it looks like this is how its going to go.

Now, after a huge argument about all this last night, my wife tells me that she has never stopped me from doing anything I want, or from seeing my family. She says it is all in my head that she doesnt like it, and thats why I have done it. She says that this is all part of your depressive state of mind. And I am sat here now typing this, and thinking that maybe she is right. And then I think no. Depression is a terrible thing, and I wish you all the best.

Controlling people will use any excuse they can to keep controlling. My ex husband would say that everything was because of my depression...it isn't this way, you are just depressed, and it makes you doubt yourself. My husband now has been starting to so the same. As soon as some control "needs" to be exerted here comes the "it's all in your head thing" and I can usually tell the difference. Nothing makes me madder than when my feelings are negated because often times I am sad

 

[missnu01]

I've been needing to go to counseling for a few months now, but I have no insurance and all the sliding fee people are useless. It's like they know you don't have money so you are unimportant. I'll muddle through as usual but I just get so down, and then being down makes me more down...the house gets dirty and then I have guilt over that too. I just hate feeling like this most of the time. I just feel so tired and achy. If I had nobody bothering me and nothing I had to do I think I would just sleep til I die. So tired but can't sleep. Always feeling like something is missing, or if something is different then I would feel different somehow. Makes me question my whole life sometimes. I just feel so hopeless about the whole thing because the meds don't work all that well and the only time they have worked I also had crazy side effects. Paranoia, uncontrolled movements...but my mood was better...anyway like I said I'll get through..it's just so hard sometimes

 

[JohnPeel]

missnu01, sorry to hear your suffering like you are. It is a terrible thing to have. Meds do help, I think, but speaking to people helps more I think. The problem is though, who do you speak to. I have had several shrinks and they all start off with the same thing, asking about your childhood. It seems they would love to be able to pin all your problems on something that might have happened to you as a child, rather than trying to find the real reason, which would probably involve much more work.

I have no doubt that if you get the right one, you will get some help, but it's finding one. I also think that we know what the problems are already, we just need others to understand them or feel what your feeling too. My mum who is 73 and is single and never in the house because she gets out and about all the time having lunch with friends or helping out at the community centres, says that she loves where I live and that I should happy with my lot, and that she doesnt understand why I am sad.

I was talking with my sister the other day, and she said that I have it really good and I should stop beating myself up. She said she would love to live my life and that I have everything to be happy about. Another sister told said, what will be will be. Needless to say, she is more puddled than I am. And my other sister said to make the most of every day, because you might not wake up in the morning. That sister is a real ray of sunshine

I wish you all the best with your illness and hope you get the support you need.

 

[tgooberbutt]

I hope you and your chickens are doing well!

 

[ShawnaScott]

I had no idea other people used their chickies as medication!!! Last year I was diagnosed with Tieste's Syndrome. It is an inflammation of the second and third rib knuckles, very similar to arthitus. The only difference is that arthitus effects bones and Tieste's effects cartiledge. Mostly Tieste's is managable and only effects one rib knuckle and goes away or responds to treatment. I was not so lucky, as mine effects all four knuckles, doesn't respond to treatment and will most likely never go away. I've had it three years, and it only has gotten worse. Oh, and the kicker: the pain gets much worse with stress. As a college student, stress is a plenty!

Unfortunately, there is no cure or set treatment for my disease, and none of the usual go to treatments worked. I was left with the options of A, removing most of my breasts or B, receiving four shots into the knuckles every 3 months. I chose neither, and for a while I was very depressed. I began working with animals to help with stress management, and I have to say, these chickens are the best medication! The pain doesn't go away, but after caring for my chickies and watching them, it does seem a whole lot better. Besides, it's so hard to be sad when they are so cute and funny!

 

[settingdusk]

I got chickens to help me with intense anxiety and depression. That and a moderate dose of celexa has seemed to really make me more positive. Watching them makes me less scared cause they are scared of everything. The life of a chicken can be short or long and is filled with all sorts of dangers which makes me less depressed with my life.