Am I a fit for a SD or ESA? So confused!

[maddiejaymes]

Hi, I'm Maddie. I'm 18 years old. I was diagnosed with severe clinical Depression four years ago. I also have been diagnosed with panic disorder. I am on three anti-depressants, and one of them is also an anti-anxiety/sleep aid because I'm an insomniac. Um, I am a freshman at a state university, and am in some ways the happiest I have ever been. However, I've noticed a lot of my old habits coming up again now that I'm living on my own [well, without my mom there.]
1. I always take my meds, but I don't take them at the same time everyday like I'm supposed to.
2. I get extremely nervous around people. to the point where I can't meet their eyes or have to always mess with my bracelets or hair. I've heard you can train a dog to notice this and nudge you to let you know you're doing it.
3. I breakdown a lot. And i mean A LOT.
4. I am unmotivated
5. I get distracted and off task easily.
6. I put myself in dangerous situations where I may hurt myself.
7. I have panic attacks a few times a week.
8. I don't take as good of care of myself as I should, i.e.- sleep all day, not do hair or anything, eat a meal every few days.

Talking to a friend (sort of, more like an acquaintance) with a service dog (**for seizures) she was telling me about how many ways it could be trained.
Here's some questions:

How can I find out if I'm eligible?
How can I learn more? Going online and researching things gets confusing. figuring out the forums on here made me really panicky.
How could I train a dog if I have no experience? I've had dogs but strictly as PETS and then I only trained them to like sit, down, speak etc.
How much would it cost me? I'm a college student!
Would insurance cover any of it?
Would an ESA or SD be better? I think SD because I could train it to react to certain things that trigger episodes with me and stuff like  that.
Could I get a dog already trained to my situation (or close)? How much time would that take?
I'm sorry if this is in the wrong place, please feel free to move it. Please give me some insight too!
Thanks!

[robbertbobbert]

Many, many more people here know a lot more than me, but I can try to answer a few of your questions.

1. To be eligible you must meet the legal definition of disabled. 75% of people with mental illness do not meet this definition.
2. Taking it slow and asking a lot of questions on this forum was the best SD education I could have gotten.
3. The average pet owner is nowhere near qualified enough to train a SD. You're best off applying to a program, or MAYBE using a private trainer, but a program is often the best way to go if you've never done serious training before.
4. A lot. It costs a lot. That's if you're owner training. I can't even begin to tell you how much Elliot has cost me. He himself was $1000. I've probably paid at least another $1000 in vet costs. maybe another $1000 in boarding when I couldn't have him with me. About $50 on food a month. Then there's leashes, collars, toys, brushes, grooming. Then ridiculous amounts of money on training. Getting a dog through a program would probably be cheaper and you wouldn't run the risk of having to wash a dog out.
5. Insurance does not cover SDs.
6. In your situation it sounds like an ESA would be much more beneficial. If you have anxiety problems, having a dog out in public with you would probably lead to more anxiety. People stop, stare, mess with your dog, ask nosey questions and often get very snitty. ESAs aren't required to have any special training, but that certainly means you can't train one to help you out at home.
7. I don't remember how much time getting a program dog would usually take, but someone on here will.

I don't mean to discourage you, but an SD is a HUGE commitment, especially if you're owner training. It's very expensive and time consuming. Since you're a college freshman, you're likely to not have the time or resources.

Are you living in a dorm? If so, that's just a really bad environment for a dog to live. Maybe wait a few years?

I'm a senior in college and my ESA (washed out SD) is a hugeeee time commitment and sometimes I get very frustrated with having to keep up with him or make arrangements, but he's worth it. I have a private apartment, though, and I can easily afford him.

[kaika_dragon]

Hi Maddie, welcome!
I do think maybe this should of gone in the "Is a Service Dog Right for You?" Section, but it doesn't matter too much.  The first question you need to answer is whether your conditions are considered disabling under the legal definition.  Then, you need to consider what tasks a service dog would do for you in public.  A way that the people here often recommend is to imagine everything that an incredibly advanced robot could do for you (so your decision isn't influenced by the thought of just having a dog there).  Also, bear in mind that if you do go for an ESA, you can train them to help you as an in-home SD, even if they don't get public access.  That might be a good option if you mostly need help at home.  In the end, it wil be your decision what kind of animal you need, because you know yourself best.  I hope my answer wasn't too confusing!
(Also, I second everything Robbert said)

[robbertbobbert]

(Also, I second everything Robbert said)

Sweet! I got something right:)

A lot of times I avoid answering questions like this because I'm scared of giving misinformation and I just let the more articulate and knowledgeable members answer. This poster's situation sounded a lot like mine when I first started, so I figured I'd give it a go.

And I'm in bio and have nothing to do besides pay attention, which of course is out of the question.

[state_of_nowhere]

I'm just going to point out some issues you need to consider. A SD is dependent on you for everything. If you break down "a lot" how can you be a good leader? Additionally, you stated you put yourself into dangerous situations. This is also detrimental to a potential SD, or any pet for that matter.

Reminding you to take your medications is really not a strong task that is going to hold up in court if the legitimacy of your SD were called into question. A timer, watch or alarm setting on your phone would be much easier and more practical.

Keep in mind, if it's a SD you're interested in, it has to DO something you can't do for yourself. Acting a social buffer or providing emotional or therapeutic effects does not constitute a SD.

[Kirsten]

Think about your list of things you have difficulty with.  Ask yourself if there are simpler solutions, such as a pill box with a timer to help you take your medications on time.

Next, look at the list asking yourself what a helpful robot might do for you to help you overcome each limitation.  By using the helpful robot image you can separate out what part is emotional support from what part are actual tasks.  Emotional support is a bonus for a service dog and would not qualify a dog as a service dog, no matter how well trained.  A service dog is there primarily to perform tasks you can't do for yourself.  An emotional support animal is there for, well emotional support! 

Insurance does not cover either a service dog or an emotional support animal.  Look at it from the insurance company's point of view.  Which cost would you approve:  $100 for a long white cane or $50,000 for a Seeing Eye dog?  It's a matter of economics.  A service dog is not an economical solution so insurance companies, including medicare/medicaid, do not cover them.

[Roxie]

When I checked the medicaid law in AR (I think) for someone in the group recently, I noted they do pay for the cost of guide dogs, but can't remember which other SD's they cover. And I am uncertain what "cover" means specifically withour looking up their MA regs again.

Roxie

[Roxie]

Welcome Maddie!!!

Happy you are in the group!

Roxie

[maddiejaymes]

Thanks guys.
A mutual friend hooked me up with a sd/esa not for profit. They keep saying my situation needs one, and so does my psychiatrist, but I think I'm gonna wait.

[Magesteff]

Hi Maddie, I'm new to the SD community so I can't answer your direct question about SD or ESAs, but I have dealt with Major Depression since I was about 26 (I'm 46 now).  I have a few comments that might help you.

a. Yes, you are on medication, however some of your comments (#3, 4, 6, 7, and to me as if perhaps, your medication is either not at the right dosage or is not the right medication for you. Have you talked to your doctor about this?

I used to take Zoloft and trazadone for years which worked very very well for me, but a few years ago a number of symptoms started showing back up and I had to completely change my medications . I take Wellbutrin and Lexapro now. Which are working very well for me.

In the last few years, I developed Diabetes. When my blood sugar levels are high, this can have some symptoms very similar to Depression (tiredness, fatigue, etc.). I also have Low Thyroid.  Have you had a full physical (including bloodwork) recently to be certain you don't have any other diseases that might be affecting how you feel?

First, I would suggest that you discuss your health and symptoms with your Primary Doctor and your Psychiatrist (if you have one) before you consider adding a SD or even a pet dog to that mix. Others have already commented on the care a dog needs, so I won't go into that, but I do second their comments.

[BeBold]

hi Maddie,

I hope things are working out for you.   I am also new to all of this so my contribution is far from an expert on the subject. I am still learning...but wanted to add something different to the mix. One of the biggest things I have had to look at for myself is:

"Is this a disability or just a bad choice?"

I have struggled with severe depression as well along with PTSD and other things. I was recently put back on antidepressants. After a month I noticed I was feeling better but found myself still in bed many days at 2pm.

I had to ask myself what I was expecting out of my meds. And had to get really honest with myself. and the truth for me was - I really didn't even needs meds anymore, I just needed to start making better choices.

like...some things that you mentioned seem like things perhaps, you can work to help yourself with a bit better and even raise questions about owning a pet.

like...if you don't feed yourself, who is going to feed your dog? If you choose to not get out of bed, who is going to walk your dog. At some point, a dog will just pee inside your home if they get too frustrated "working" at getting you up when it's really about your "free will".

and I have had to be very honest with all of this myself when I look at whether or not a PSD is the right choice for myself. What IS in my control, what can I change myself and what can a dog/robot do for me - or be trained to do for me - that I can not do for myself.  I am so new here I haven't really even talked about what Luca is providing for me at this point and there may even be folks here who disagree with this being the proper use of an SD and I may have to go back and rethink Luca's "label" again...but I think I have spent enough time really being very honest with what is reasonable to expect.

making you eat is not really something a dog can do for you. never mind brushing your hair, you will now need to brush HIS hair! keeping you from getting distracted is not something a dog can help with (I don't think?) Not sure how a dog can make you less nervous - truthfully, I suspect the first times I have to introduce Luca to people as a PSD, it will INCREASE my anxiety. If you take your meds but not at the "same time", that is kind of a choice as you could rearrange when you take them - set an alarm etc. as others have said.  As for motivation, my dog is "motivating me" to leave my apartment and take him for walks - but that is a pleasant side effect of having a pet...nothing "special" or skilled about that. Dogs poop and have to walked.    As for breakdown I really don't know what to say as i don't know what that means for you. if it means crying, perhaps like someone else said, your meds need adjusting or maybe just school is overwhelming...

and well, if you could train a SD to do your homework, There would never be enough to go around huh?

hope you are doing better with things.  and I hope you are enjoying school. it's a time of your life that you will never get to repeat so enjoy it the best you can.  take care, be.

[Magesteff]

like...if you don't feed yourself, who is going to feed your dog? If you choose to not get out of bed, who is going to walk your dog. At some point, a dog will just pee inside your home if they get too frustrated "working" at getting you up when it's really about your "free will".

Maddie, do you live with others  that could help you care for a dog at this time?

I agree that if Maddie has trouble getting out of bed and caring for herself and her dog, she might want to rethink getting a dog.

However, Be, the idea that getting out of bed is something of "Free Will" and one only has to make up one's mind to do it...  I have Major depression. Sometimes Will alone is not enough to get you out of bed, or out of the house. those who suffer from severe deep depression don't have that kind of willpower all the time. It makes me a bit upset that someone can say without really understanding what Depression, as an illness and not just a momentary condition, that they just need more willpower. There are chemical Changes in the brain of a person with Depression, neurotransmitters are in lower amounts than in a normal person, even one who feels a little depressed at times.  The hormones (chemicals) can be any one of several, Seretonin, Norepinephrin,Dopamine, and others and finding the right combination and dosages of Medications can take a very long time to work out, even with the help of a psychiatrist. Depression Medications take up to  8 weeks or longer to show if they are effective or not. It could easily take longer than a year to discover which medications work, and in what combination they work best.

[responsiblek9]

  A dog can help motivate a person to GET UP. It is not will power . it is conditioning and getting a seriously ingrained habit to honor the dog's training to GET up when the dog comes to tell you it is time.
    But dogs will sometimes find interesting ways to force their severely depressed handler to GET up. Like yanking a pillow out from under your head and to an extreme had a couple who if you  did not respond to their normal wake up call from purgatory . Then they hovered their butts over the handler's face and would threaten to PEE on the handler IN THE BED. Only one dog actually had to follow through on this threat with a client of mine. She ignored the dog's implied threat of peeing on her so the dog DID ALL over her chest IN the bed! . After that she jumped to get up when the dog did the normal wake up task to get her up. Dog got her well trained and motivated to get UP when the alarm went off or it came time to get up no matter how depressed she was.  .
But this depends on the individual dog . Most are not so assertive to push their handler to actually honor the wake up call .