Angela_96

As some know PTSD is not just a post military thing, it is something that anyone who has went through a serious traumatic experience can have. With myself I witnesed a suicide when I was 12, and so I am still in therapy at 30.
Then I have a 2 year old who was sick his first 18 months of life and had no life of my own besides getting him better.
This past fall I got back into the "fish" because he got obsessed w/ fish, w/ just a couple guppies.... then they had babies... and so on.... one thing LED to another as I enjoied taking care of the little guys and watching them and w/ a healthy child and one in school I had more time on my hands to involve myself in a hobby.
I told my psych about it and he said that it was something he recomended to a lot of patients for the relaxation. Is there others out there who are doing this for the relaxation? Or am I the only one who actually finds it relaxing even if it is vaccuming the tank.... My husband looked at me as if I was crazy when I said I actually enjoyied doing the mainintence on the tanks...especially since we got the cichlids they come up to my hands and swim around (they are sooooo friendly! and tame! I guess they know that what I am doing is making their enviroment cleaner) I told him it wasn't like cleaning the cats box which is a pain in the neck yuck to me! And when I am done I get to sit and look at the crystal clear water and healthy happy fish.
I have also got so obsessed that I have 5 tanks... (getting rid of one my hobby is growing on everyone I know, I bought a tank for my mother in law, and am giving her my guppy fry) I am begainning to think that this is better than the meds that he is prescribing! I have a benzo for anziety (sp) and I never take it anymore, nor do I ask for refills, my blood pressure is down since I started this... so I have physical proof to match....
Instead of sitting around stressed about bills, sickness, etc I sit around thinking about what fish do I want next, what kind of tank set up would I want next, and I am trying to talk my mother into a 200 gallon set up (my house would not hold because of my floors) and I would do the maintence she can pick the fish...hopefully oscars....
Not to mention late at night is my fav time when all the lights are turned off in the house and all you can here is the water flowing.... These little guys/girls have helped me more than the thousands of dollars I have spent on therapy, and meds! My husband can tell such a difference that he is getting into it with me and being very supportive along w/ my mother, he says he enjoys buying this stuff for me and seeing me happy....
I think I am going to write a book on fish for stress reduction book! It really works!

miker

Fish are awesome

capekate

Hello Angela
You are so right about it being a wonderful form of therapy. I totally understand where you are coming from. Ive had my own personal issues to deal with as well when I came back to fish keeping. Im very happy for you that this form of therapy is working out so well for you and that you are finding the peace and tranquility that fish tanks can bring us.

~ kate

Jim

I tell everyone that my tanks are my alternate reality. When I get home and want to escape the world for a while, I just relax and watch my fish in their peaceful little mini-world. You can just feel the stress from work pouring out of you. I also spend countless hours at work driving, and I'm also planning my next tank, etc in my head to pass the time. I know EXACTLY what you're saying, and I'm glad you have found some peace in your tank as well.

Ntruder1400

I got back into fishkeeping specifically for its relaxing properties. I quit smoking, and got myself a fish tank. Rather than going outside to have a cigarette, I will sit in front of the tank for 10 minutes or do the maintenence on it. It has worked great for me.

lalynya

I find fish very relaxing as a matter of fact the fish I have now I bought when I was stressed out and dealing with a situation..I dont know what it is about them they just zen me out...lol..maybe its the sense of acomplishment I get from taking care of them and working on the tank..who knows dont have to know..I just know that it works.

SereneReyn

totally agree... relaxing, but at the same time more entertaining than an action movie!

paswed

I would agree with what you said I also suffer from PTSD I was abuse from an early age by an uncle I have had a lot of therapy, and meds too. But I find that my fish have helped me more than anything else. I tell my friends that the fish are my best friends I can tell them anything I want to and they want tell a person in the world who could ask for more.

Drea

Yup, it's helping me too..I deal with chronic pain from a vehicle collision 3 years ago. There have been long nights when pain meds just don't work, so I watch and talk with my fish, they love me just as I am. And this forum has been like having my friends back (old friends don't call anymore cuz I can't participate in activitites we used to do together) With stressful legal issues pending...I am able to interact at the forum, when not able to sleep at 3-4-5-6 in the morning I can't express how theraputic and beneficial joining this forum has been for me...if not lifesaving

sirdarksol

This is definitely for relaxation. My most recent tank is inspired zen gardening. Though I have nothing diagnosed, I have autistic tendencies, ADD, and a history of depression. My wife helps me a lot with the last one, but my aquariums (and martial arts) are my treatments for the first two.

MagpieTear

Another vote for Aquarium Therapy. Often I am not fit for human companionship when I come home from work, the stress of the day at work has me on the edge of hating people as a whole. But 45 minutes of just staring at the tank, watching the little guys go about their daily routines melts the tension from my neck and upper back, and I can literally feel my blood pressure drop back to normal. Plus it's much more entertaining and educational then 99% of what's on cable these days.

The only better therapy I've found is motorcycling through the Appalachians. But I know that's not for everyone, and I can't do that everyday.

COBettaCouple

I find the fish to be very good therapy and they help me with anxiety issues.

voiceless_kat

Keeping fish is an awesome hobby. I also have a chronic pain condition, and have just lost my father......and when I find my moods are up and down....these fish take me to some other plane to zone out.

I enjoy the tank maintenance also...must be the nurturing thing.

And if sleep escapes me..........well, these tanks are always here, and no Pay Per View charge!!

The friends we make through this forum are so supportive and always willing to help through a rough patch!!!

It is all win/win!!

Val

ShaynaB

I totally agree!

My fish tanks help me a lot. I'm 20 and have SVT (a heart issue that makes my heart race too fast and my blood pressure skyrockets). I'm on meds to control it, but sometimes it doesn't always work, so I sit and watch my fish for a while. It's very peaceful and they never seem to complain!

Fish are great!

Martinismommy

I think this link will describe how I feel about my fish and how relaxing it is for me to care for my fish....The answer is YES, they give me comfort and that in itself is therapy.....

Enjoy: http://www.freewebs.com/quicksilverc...fishphotos.htm

luna

Janoue brought up this subject on the betta Board, and I have to agree. I'm very new to aquariums, but know pets in general. It's been scientifically proven that companion animals are a soothing influence. The simple act of petting a cat or dog - or watching a fish swim happily along - relaxes the body and lowers blood pressure.

Along with that, there's the aspect of caring for another living being. Focusing on caring for another distracts us from the difficulties and stresses of our own lives...and seeing the results of our efforts in the health and happiness of our little animal friends provides us with a sense of accomplishment despite whatever else might be going on. I've been all but housebound due to cancer and treatment for almost 4 years now, and had to move back in with my parents. If it wasn't for my cat (who's a spoiled mama's boy), it would have been a lot harder on me.

I'm finally going back to college in the fall, and we're allowed to have fish in our dorm rooms, which is what inspired me to look into aquarium keeping...and now I have a little girl who can keep me company and keep me relaxed at home and at school.

voiceless_kat

I don't want to hi jack the thread, but those are amazing photos! Thanks for sharing!

Val

Butterfly

yep definitely relaxing and a stress buster. The warm water also helps the arthritis in my hands. I tend to piddle in the tanks a little every day as well as on cleaning day.
Carol

voiceless_kat

Ahh Carol, I needed a late night laugh................well, maybe it is just me........................

luna

Oh, good, it wasn't just me. I didn't want to say anything! I'm guessing (hoping!) you meant that you play around in/fiddle with your tanks.

"Piddle" is a kinder, gentler term (that I actually use) for...using the toilet...in case you didn't know why we're laughing and confused.

Butterfly

OH, MY! That is just too funny! Yes I meant play in them. I move a plant here, straighten a rock there etc, just basically enjoy the warm water on my hands and all the way up to the shoulder on the deep tank LOL
I do remember buying piddle pads for my dog. LOL this is just so funny. Thank you two for a laugh this morning, glad I could provide you one.
Carol

COBettaCouple

Carol.. really - there are better ways to add ammonia to the tank.

luna

lalynya

Yeah I think that was a discusion allready lol

Butterfly

yep it concerned adding ammonia to grow algae
Carol

Angela_96

Oh my.... the piddling has to stop at my house then! I will have high ammonia anyday now!! I am always piddling w/ my tanks lol.....

Seriously my husband says that everytime he sees me my head is in one of the tanks, thats not a good thing is it? Then my mil made a remark when fed-ex droped off so much boxes of stuff for our 55g and 36g tanks that it covered our side porch today that I may need therapy for my obsession of fish....
My husband ordered that stuff! (my order comes in 2 days)....
We got one awesome set of lights for both tanks! I can't wait to get them set up.

I think though that w/ my love of fish, and how much its helped me therapy wise I am going to in my small area put an ad out to maintence freashwater tanks for people (theres a ton of people who want fish who don't want the hassle of cleaning them) what do you all think? I love to do the cleaning, etc and I could use the extra cash....

ShaynaB

That could be fun. I actually saw a truck driving around town with a fish maintenance ad on the side the other day. Looked like a young guy who does it for fun. I thought it was a great idea, and there must be a market for it... People get fish tanks all the time and don't know how to deal with them!

Go for it!

lalynya

I like to piddle...PIDLE PIDLE PIDLE PIDLE.....this is not a new word for me..my mom used itr all the time...for the non pee-ing definition

Ntruder1400

My friend's brother has made a living out of doing tank set-up and maintenence. He also does saltwater, too. He has accounts with doctor's offices, dentist's offices (now he does home tank maintenence for some Drs./dentists), and a bunch of other home and businesses. He makes a very good living at it, but I think knowing the SW side has a lot to do with it.

Gamer

It has been therapuetic. I love taking care of my tanks and planning my next one. Although I admit, when I can't get my next tank right away and I have to wait awhile for it, I find that part stressful sometimes.