[BeyondtheRainbow]

I have a cat who is 20 (well her birthday is in 4 weeks). She's always been mine, she made it clear the day I met her at my mom's house when I was home between camp and college. She was 2 or 3 when she was able to come to live with me where I went to grad school. So we've been together half my life. And we've been close. I wrote my entire thesis with her on my lap. The whole time I was in grad school she was well known in the trailer park we lived in for watching for me in the window all day long.

She is incredibly aware of how I am doing. Right now she is painfully climbing up to my bed or the couch to cuddle every day, several times per day. She's not done that much in years. I woke up one morning with a stiff arm because she'd curled up in that arm sometime in the night, like she did when she could get around more easily.

When this mania started she actually was diagnosed as a "self-mutilator" because she pulled the hair and skin off her belly. That was the 3rd time she's done that. The first was when I was IP. The 2nd was when I was very sick. This time she seemed to know how bad it was before anyone else. It was very dangerous and could have killed her combined with her other issues.

I know pets are very intuitive. Just curious about whether others have support animals. My Anna has lived so long despite numerous times I've been told she'd not live long. I think she knows I need her (and that her diagnosis is wrong). My other cat kind of gets it but not like Anna. It's a strange bond that she can read me so well. She's yet another reason I hate the idea of IP; my mom will feed her but she needs attention and love so she doesn't tear her belly up again while I'm gone and I don't know if my mom has time to sit and pet the cat.

My cats can tell when I'm going through an intense episode. They lay next to me when I am depressed or mixed and often nuzzle against my side or lick my hand.

If I'm manic, they typically give me a wide berth. I'd never harm them but they can sense my excess energy and seem like o.O whoa....lol

[misscath007]

When I had my kitty she would lay next to me for hours when I was depressed, purring. My dachshund does not seem to have that compassionate sense, even though I know he loves me. I think cats seem to have more of a sixth sense about how their owner is feeling, but I could be wrong.

[~Christina]

Yes ! My dog will literally attach himself to my hip. He also sticks to my side when my pain increases to a dangerous level.

He often notices changes in my mood before I can see them coming.

[Shadesofdark]

3 of my 4 dogs act very loving when I am depressed, the 4th could care less, they stay out of my way when I am manic. This does not surprise me, I saw a special on tv where they use dogs with epilepsy patients that let the person know before they are about to have an attack and alert them. Of course our pets are sensitive to our moods. I don't know how I would get through life without my dogs. (Sorry, not a cat person)

[BeyondtheRainbow]

OH no, I have 2 sort-of dogs (they are my mom's but since she's next door and away a lot I watch them often). They also seem to read my needs, especially with sleep. I've ever had a migraine and said to the dog (who has more energy than the sun) that I have to take this pill and sleep a little bit and he just does.

I'm just amazed at the whole thing. My other cat I'm not sure picks it up at all. Or if he does he doesn't care . Typical cat.

My dogs totally pick up the household energy level. They become more anxious when I am manic. They can totally tell because i am constantly moving from room to room and they follow me. I bump into them, trip over them etc. When depressed they sleep outside my bedroom door.

[HALLIEBETH87]

My cat is especially needy when I just want to isolate.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

I was wrong. My other cat does notice, he just shows it subtly. He has a favorite toy, a white ball. If I am sad I will arrive home to that ball on my pillow. Every time.

[Bigmike727]

Yes, unfortunately I am separated from my cat most of the time now, but back when I lived with him he would know my mood. When I was manic he would kind of stay out of the way, but when I would get really badly depressed he would always come home early in the nights just to jump up on my bed and spend time with me so I wouldn't feel as lonely. I miss him alot, but am seeing him again this week so that is good for me.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

I'm sorry you aren't able to be with your kitty all the time. I am really afraid of winding up in some situation where I could lose mine and I can't imagine.

[BipolaRNurse]

My dog can suss out mood swings before I know they're coming. She will become really clingy, even when I'm heading into mania and I find myself tripping over her because I'm moving around so fast. And when I'm depressed she doesn't leave my side except to eat and go outside to potty. My husband said she got depressed herself when I was in the hospital last fall and didn't perk up until I was home again.

[WorkhorseDVM]

I think ours do. The dog will not leave my side. The cats snuggle me when I am depressed and give me wide berth when I am manic.

[BlackSheep79]

My babies, dogs, are very lethargic and just sad when I'm depressed. The one that is my sidekick gets really affected. It makes me sad that they feel what I feel. I can see it in there eyes. It's amazing the bond I have with all three of them.

[Mrs. Mania]

My dog can totally sense a manic episodes onset. My husband actually pointed it out to me a while back. I also stumble and trip over him when manic.

[THE16THDOCTOR]

That's super interesting. I never considered that. I have a dog but she hangs all over me to begin with.