Dog Medicine

1. Depression can be triggered by unresolved childhood trauma and life transitions

"I still came back to that question. I still couldn't quite piece together what had rendered me unable to function. What left me so broken?"

Childhood experiences shape us. Julie's depression stemmed from a complex interplay of factors, including:

• Sibling abuse from her older brother Clay
• Emotional disconnection from her parents
• Lack of validation for her feelings and experiences

Life transitions can be catalysts. Julie's move to New York City after college and subsequent breakup with her boyfriend Will triggered a major depressive episode. This highlights how:

• Major life changes can destabilize our mental health
• Unresolved past traumas can resurface during stressful periods
• The loss of familiar support systems can exacerbate feelings of isolation and hopelessness

2. Finding a companion animal can provide unconditional love and emotional support

"I believe that when I was suffering most dearly, the universe sent me a healer in the form of a dog."

Animals offer unconditional love. Bunker, Julie's golden retriever puppy, became a lifeline during her darkest moments:

• Provided comfort and companionship without judgment
• Gave Julie a sense of purpose and responsibility
• Offered physical affection and a calming presence

The human-animal bond can be therapeutic. Caring for Bunker helped Julie in numerous ways:

• Encouraged her to maintain a routine and get outside
• Provided a source of joy and laughter
• Helped her practice giving and receiving love
• Acted as a bridge to connect with others and rebuild social relationships

3. Seeking professional help and medication can be crucial steps in managing depression

"I vacillated between hope and dread; sure one minute that the housemates would love me, sure the next that we'd hate each other and I'd be forced to crawl back to Ohio defeated again."

Professional help is vital. Julie's journey involved working with therapists and a psychiatrist:

• Provided a diagnosis of major depression
• Offered a safe space to process emotions and experiences
• Taught coping strategies and techniques to challenge negative thoughts

Medication can be a helpful tool. Julie's experience with antidepressants:

• Helped stabilize her mood and reduce overwhelming symptoms
• Allowed her to engage more fully in therapy and daily life
• Required patience as it took time to find the right dosage and see effects

Combining approaches is often most effective:

• Therapy to address underlying issues and develop coping skills
• Medication to alleviate severe symptoms
• Lifestyle changes like exercise, nutrition, and social support

4. Rebuilding self-worth requires challenging negative thought patterns

"I began to understand that without my realizing it, I perpetually put myself down in my own mind. She called them automatic negative thoughts, and when she said those three words, it was as if a little bell rang in my head."

Recognizing negative self-talk is crucial. Julie learned to identify her automatic negative thoughts:

• Self-critical internal dialogue
• Catastrophizing and assuming the worst outcomes
• Overgeneralizing from single events to overall worth

Challenging these thoughts takes practice. Techniques Julie learned:

• Questioning the evidence for negative beliefs
• Considering alternative perspectives
• Practicing self-compassion and forgiveness

Building positive self-talk. Julie gradually learned to:

• Acknowledge her strengths and accomplishments
• Celebrate small victories in her recovery
• Reframe setbacks as learning opportunities rather than personal failures

5. Moving to a new environment can offer a fresh start and opportunities for growth

"I felt like a homing pigeon following a magnetic field. Something already felt right about Seattle, like it would go easier on me than New York."

A change of scenery can be beneficial. Julie's move to Seattle provided:

• Distance from triggers and painful memories
• Opportunity to redefine herself and her relationships
• New experiences and perspectives to challenge old patterns

Building a support system is crucial. In Seattle, Julie found:

• Supportive roommates who became close friends
• A dog-friendly environment that nurtured her bond with Bunker
• Access to nature and outdoor activities that aided her healing

Embracing new opportunities. The move allowed Julie to:

• Explore new interests and hobbies
• Take on new responsibilities and build confidence
• Create a life more aligned with her values and needs

6. Developing healthy relationships and boundaries is essential for emotional healing

"I wanted desperately to be comforted. I needed a companion who had no judgment, with whom I had no history, who would make it known that I was loved, who would never, ever hurt me."

Learning to set boundaries. Julie's journey involved:

• Recognizing unhealthy relationship patterns
• Learning to say no and prioritize her own needs
• Communicating her feelings and expectations more clearly

Building healthy friendships. In Seattle, Julie experienced:

• Genuine connections based on mutual support and understanding
• The value of vulnerability and honesty in relationships
• The importance of reciprocity and shared experiences

Navigating romantic relationships. Julie's experiences with Greg and others taught her:

• The importance of taking things slowly and not rushing into commitment
• How to recognize and appreciate kindness and respect in a partner
• The need to heal herself before fully engaging in a romantic relationship

7. Caring for others can be a powerful tool in overcoming personal struggles

"I was useful now. I could recognize pain in Bunker's face, and his eyes, his other-worldly, deep, soulful eyes full of all the pain and laughter and hope of all our combined longing, helped me see that I was hurting inside too."

Finding purpose through caregiving. Caring for Bunker gave Julie:

• A sense of responsibility and motivation to get out of bed
• Distraction from her own pain and negative thoughts
• Opportunities to practice compassion and nurturing

Transferring skills to self-care. Through caring for Bunker, Julie learned:

• The importance of routine and consistency in healing
• How to be patient and gentle with the recovery process
• To recognize and attend to her own needs more effectively

Building confidence and self-worth. Successfully caring for Bunker helped Julie:

• Prove to herself that she was capable and strong
• Feel needed and valuable
• Develop problem-solving skills and resilience

8. Physical health challenges can mirror and exacerbate emotional pain

"I sat on the floor with my mouth open mid-word. The doctor had said something about several thousand dollars. Triple pelvic osteotomy . . . months of recovery . . . sequester in a crate . . . break the pelvic bone in six places."

Physical and emotional pain intertwine. Bunker's hip dysplasia diagnosis:

• Mirrored Julie's own feelings of brokenness and vulnerability
• Triggered fears of loss and abandonment
• Challenged her ability to cope with uncertainty and setbacks

Facing health challenges requires resilience. Julie's response to Bunker's condition:

• Forced her to advocate for his needs and make difficult decisions
• Taught her to balance hope with realistic expectations
• Demonstrated her capacity for strength and perseverance

Healing is a holistic process. Caring for Bunker's physical health:

• Encouraged Julie to take better care of her own well-being
• Highlighted the connection between physical and emotional healing
• Reinforced the importance of patience and consistent effort in recovery

9. Forgiveness of self and others is a key component of the healing process

"I saw it so clearly at that moment, holding his get-well card for Bunker. I held the paper and forgave the little girl who just wanted her big brother to love and protect her. I told her that it was okay to want his love, and that I was sorry that she didn't get it."

Self-forgiveness is crucial. Julie learned to:

• Acknowledge that her past actions were influenced by pain and trauma
• Separate her worth as a person from her mistakes
• Practice self-compassion and understanding

Forgiving others releases emotional burdens. Julie's process involved:

• Recognizing that her brother and parents were also imperfect and struggling
• Letting go of resentment without excusing harmful behavior
• Focusing on healing herself rather than changing others

Forgiveness is an ongoing practice. Julie discovered that:

• It's okay to have mixed feelings and that healing isn't linear
• Forgiveness doesn't necessarily mean reconciliation or forgetting
• The process of forgiving can lead to greater empathy and personal growth

Last updated: August 6, 2024