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Snakes with Anxiety?

Pet Corn Snake

Pet Corn Snake

New member
Hey all, not many of you here will probably remember me, but I used to be a regular on these forums back in '08 and '09...
I stopped keeping snakes, but I had a collection including boas, corn snakes, ball pythons, a tortoise and a variety of lizards and newts and snails.
I remember when keeping them that confidence is key, and I went from being very nervous at the start of keeping them, to being very confident.
I recently went to a show and managed to get my hands on a Burm, which I've always wanted to be able to handle. Fantastic creature.
Anyhow, the reason for this thread... I have been diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, which for the past couple of months has pretty much turned my life upside down.. Still, I'm managing and going back to college in 2 weeks for my third year :)
I was wondering what your thoughts are on keeping snakes when you have anxiety issues? I want to get a boa again, I miss my Kaa so much (my male adult) ... And would love another, but I fear that my anxiety may cause the snake to feel anxious as well.. I know how well they can sense our emotions and I worry my gitteryness and shakes will make the snake tense...
Any ideas?
Oh, and hey to my old friends! :D
 
I have extreme anxiety issues. Quite honestly, the snakes help me deal with it...because my brain automatically goes into a zen moment when I'm about to handle them, and holding them/letting them crawl around my neck, through my fingers...it's so calming that it can help quell an anxiety attack.

I don't hold them when I'm having a bad attack...mostly because I don't trust myself not to drop them. But I've been in close proximity, and it's never seemed to bother them one way or another. We have several snakes housed in our bedroom, and several more in display vivs in our den...and those are the two places I'm most likely to retreat when I'm having an attack.

I don't think snakes pick up on emotions the same way a dog or cat does.
 
I think I remember you. You have a little brother and there were issues with him getting into the snakes and the snake harming him.
 
Hey, thanks Toxic! :D And nope, that's not me! Ha! I may have mentioned once about my mum's worry of me keeping them, as she was convinced my little brother would get into the tanks, but he never did, in fact, he grew to love them very much and when I ask him now, he still remembers them :D
 
Do you know anyone who has a snake? Maybe you could test out holding one when you are feeling anxious. As long as you are able to hold one gently and smoothly, I can't see it being an issue. :)
 
Pet Corn Snake said:
Hey, thanks Toxic! :D And nope, that's not me! Ha! I may have mentioned once about my mum's worry of me keeping them, as she was convinced my little brother would get into the tanks, but he never did, in fact, he grew to love them very much and when I ask him now, he still remembers them :D
Click to expand...

OK, yeah something about brother is what I remember. I agree with Toxic the snake could bring a fair amount of relaxation. At the same time if the snake is going to stress you as in are the temps correct, it's not eating... I would go forward with caution.
 
Yes, I do remember you. You are a nice guy, but I do remember back when you had the snakes a fair amount of turmoil. Do you still live at home? If so how do your parents feel about you getting another snake?
 
Hey, I have anxiety issues. Interacting with animals is known to drop blood pressure and heart rate. I think if your living situation allows it, getting a well-started animal would be a great idea. If you are living in an apartment or dorm that doesn't allow them, bad idea, you'll be freaking out about losing them or getting evicted.
You may want to get a smaller boa (in my opinion) simply so when you have friends over etc, it is not as intimidating to them, having your friends screaming in terror at you pet is not good when you have anxiety issues. Kokopelli and Robbie would be great to talk to about narrowing down the right boa species for your living arrangements and desires.
Keep us posted!
 
Is this George?
I'd say looking after snakes again, something you do know very well how to do, would be a good idea. You kept them really well, so it's not like something you couldn't handle again.
 
Thanks all, and yeah it is, hey Diamondlil, long time! And thank you. I always tried my best :) I'm still considering my options at the moment, I don't want a 'collection' again as the cost and the time needed was just a bit too much, but I am very tempted to get a boa or royal. And Susang, I only had problems for the first year, but then again I was only 15 when I started. After a year or so I pretty much had everything as natural for my collection as I could, and didn't have any issues with temps or anything. And since then I have also, and still do from time to time, worked in a reptile shop. I'm just undecided on what to get... :/ I loved the personality of corns, royals were a bit more shy and lazy but I liked that too, and my common boa, well he was perfect but if I need to go away for a few days, or a week, then the bigger the snake, the harder it is to find a family member or friend brave enough to feed it... Ummm..
 
George, why would you get an anxiety disorder all of the sudden? Do you think you "had it" before and your interaction with all your reptiles was what kept it from truly surfacing? I think a snake would be good for you. What about a small boa like a rosy boa?
 
Hey Nanci, yeah - I think it may have been with me for a while, but I always had things to focus my attention on. My reptiles for example, and my job which was nearly 12 hours a day 6 days a week, and flowed into the early hours most nights, but now I've been made redundant I'm just lost for things to do. And a rosey is a good idea actually, ill have to go to the reptile store and have a look at one IRL see what I think. Hope your well! :D
 
Just to update this thread, I ended up getting a leopard gecko. He's a fantastic creature, had him a few months now. My anxiety is getting better thanks to some much needed soup searching and therapy, with the panic attacks gone 7 weeks. I do intend on returning to snakes as soon as the finances improve. Happy new year x
 
Glad to hear things are improving for you - here's to better times in 2013!
 
Stig is actually my "anxiety pet" to help prevent anxiety attacks. Perhaps corns are great for it because they are small and pretty well-tempered for the most part. He's just so serene all the time, it helps me stay calm when I'm able to see or hold him.

I used to have a bearded dragon that was the same thing, having an animal that doesn't feed off of emotions as much is really great for helping prevent panic attacks. I never had good luck with cats or dogs, they always would get nervous and make my anxiety attacks worse.
 
hikisquid said:
Stig is actually my "anxiety pet" to help prevent anxiety attacks. Perhaps corns are great for it because they are small and pretty well-tempered for the most part. He's just so serene all the time, it helps me stay calm when I'm able to see or hold him.

I used to have a bearded dragon that was the same thing, having an animal that doesn't feed off of emotions as much is really great for helping prevent panic attacks. I never had good luck with cats or dogs, they always would get nervous and make my anxiety attacks worse.
Click to expand...
Couldnt agree more. Its helped me.
 
You might find that the snakes are helpful. I know that pressure vests and the like are sometimes used to relieve anxiety, especially anxiety related to sensory issues at all, and a burm is certainly going to provide weight and pressure. Animals in general relieve blood pressure and stress, and snakes definitely provide an example of just relaxing and chilling out. I know of several people who have dogs who are certified as companion animals (not service animals, simply well-trained animals who help them through situations) due to anxiety, especially related to PTSD.

Hey, maybe you could have the snake certified as a companion animal-I'd love to see a python, riding on it's person's shoulders, wearing a cute little blue vest!

--Donna
 
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