For many people, losing a beloved companion is equivalent to experiencing the devastating loss of a family member. This notion has been substantiated by a recent survey published in the academic journal PLOS One, which found that grieving over the death of a pet can be just as debilitating and prolonged as mourning the loss of a human relative.
The study, conducted among 975 adults in the UK, revealed that approximately 7.5% of those who had lost their pets exhibited symptoms of post-grief disorder (PGD), a mental health condition characterized by intense longing and despair, social isolation, and feelings of loss of identity. This rate is strikingly similar to the proportion of people who experience PGD after losing a close friend (about 7.5%) or even a grandparent (8.3%).
The study's findings also suggest that losing a child or parent can lead to significantly higher rates of PGD, at 21.3% and 11.2%, respectively. Conversely, only about one-fifth of those who had experienced both human and pet loss reported that the loss of their pet was more distressing.
Researchers estimate that around one in 12 cases of PGD in the UK is caused by the death of a pet. This disparity may be attributed to the fact that approximately half of adults have pets, whose lifespans are significantly shorter than those of humans.
Professor Philip Hyland, who authored the study, argues that the symptoms of grief for a pet closely mirror those experienced after losing a human loved one, with no discernible difference in how people experience and express their emotions. He calls for guidelines to be expanded to include pets as valid risk factors for PGD diagnosis.
Hyland's sentiments are echoed by his acknowledgment that excluding pet loss from bereavement criteria for PGD is not only scientifically misguided but also callous. The study's findings underscore the importance of recognizing the legitimacy and severity of human-animal bonds, highlighting the need to reconsider the diagnostic boundaries for post-grief disorder.
The study, conducted among 975 adults in the UK, revealed that approximately 7.5% of those who had lost their pets exhibited symptoms of post-grief disorder (PGD), a mental health condition characterized by intense longing and despair, social isolation, and feelings of loss of identity. This rate is strikingly similar to the proportion of people who experience PGD after losing a close friend (about 7.5%) or even a grandparent (8.3%).
The study's findings also suggest that losing a child or parent can lead to significantly higher rates of PGD, at 21.3% and 11.2%, respectively. Conversely, only about one-fifth of those who had experienced both human and pet loss reported that the loss of their pet was more distressing.
Researchers estimate that around one in 12 cases of PGD in the UK is caused by the death of a pet. This disparity may be attributed to the fact that approximately half of adults have pets, whose lifespans are significantly shorter than those of humans.
Professor Philip Hyland, who authored the study, argues that the symptoms of grief for a pet closely mirror those experienced after losing a human loved one, with no discernible difference in how people experience and express their emotions. He calls for guidelines to be expanded to include pets as valid risk factors for PGD diagnosis.
Hyland's sentiments are echoed by his acknowledgment that excluding pet loss from bereavement criteria for PGD is not only scientifically misguided but also callous. The study's findings underscore the importance of recognizing the legitimacy and severity of human-animal bonds, highlighting the need to reconsider the diagnostic boundaries for post-grief disorder.
. Can't believe how similar grieving over a pet is to losing a human relative! Like, I've heard of people taking years to get over their pet's passing and it's not uncommon for them to experience symptoms of post-grief disorder too 
. The fact that 1 in 12 cases of PGD might be caused by pet loss is wild 
. It's clear that our human-animal bonds are super strong, and we need to recognize that 
. I'm all for guidelines to include pets as valid risk factors for PGD – it's time we acknowledge the legitimacy of these emotions! 
The way they're feeling emotions like loneliness and despair after losing their companion is so similar to human grief 
We should definitely have guidelines in place to acknowledge the importance of pet loss in diagnosing post-grief disorder 
I mean, who gets left out of the conversation when we talk about mental health? 
It's time to give pets the recognition they deserve 
like i've been there with my cat Luna and it felt like i lost a member of my family lol what's crazy is that the study says its not just me who feels this way, 7.5% of ppl in the uk experience post grief disorder after losing their pet which is super similar to ppl experiencing it after losing a friend or grandparent! 
7.5% of pet owners experience PTSD-like symptoms? That's a staggering number considering how many people are out there adopting furry friends as part of their family! 
It's not just about the loss, it's about the memories and the bond you shared with them. For me, I have a furry buddy at home and I can imagine how hard it'll be if anything happens to her 
. Maybe we should start talking more about pet loss and its impact on our mental health? 
.
. We need to expand these guidelines, it's not fair to exclude pets from this conversation