For many of us, our furry friends are more than just companions - they're family members. And when they pass away, it's natural to feel a deep sense of loss that can rival the grief we experience after losing a loved one.
Research published in the academic journal PLOS One has confirmed what many pet owners already know: the bond between us and our pets is profound, and their loss can have a lasting impact on our mental health. In fact, a survey of 975 adults in the UK found that nearly 8% of people who had lost pets met the diagnostic criteria for prolonged grief disorder (PGD), a condition characterized by intense longing, despair, social withdrawal, and feelings of numbness.
The study's findings suggest that the grieving process after losing a pet is not significantly different from what we experience when dealing with human loss. People who have lost both a family member and a pet reported similar levels of grief, with many saying that their pet's passing was worse than their human loss. This is interesting, given that previous studies have highlighted how often people feel ashamed or embarrassed about expressing their grief over a dead pet.
The research also estimated that one in 12 cases of PGD in the UK were caused by the death of a pet, citing the fact that half of adults have pets and those pets' lifespans tend to be much shorter than humans'. The study's author, Professor Philip Hyland, argues that this evidence shows that grief over a pet is no less legitimate than grief for a human.
According to Hyland, diagnostic guidelines currently in place do not allow for PGD to be diagnosed following the death of a pet, which he believes is "callous" and "scientifically misguided". He calls for these guidelines to be expanded, acknowledging that people can experience clinically relevant levels of grief after losing a pet, rates that are comparable to human losses considered legitimate risk factors for PGD.
Ultimately, the study's findings challenge our assumptions about what constitutes bereavement and how we measure grief. As Hyland so eloquently puts it, "the decision to exclude pet loss from the bereavement criterion for PGD can be viewed as not only scientifically misguided but also as callous". It's time to rethink our approach to pet loss and recognize that the bond between us and our pets is a profound one, worthy of compassion and understanding.
Research published in the academic journal PLOS One has confirmed what many pet owners already know: the bond between us and our pets is profound, and their loss can have a lasting impact on our mental health. In fact, a survey of 975 adults in the UK found that nearly 8% of people who had lost pets met the diagnostic criteria for prolonged grief disorder (PGD), a condition characterized by intense longing, despair, social withdrawal, and feelings of numbness.
The study's findings suggest that the grieving process after losing a pet is not significantly different from what we experience when dealing with human loss. People who have lost both a family member and a pet reported similar levels of grief, with many saying that their pet's passing was worse than their human loss. This is interesting, given that previous studies have highlighted how often people feel ashamed or embarrassed about expressing their grief over a dead pet.
The research also estimated that one in 12 cases of PGD in the UK were caused by the death of a pet, citing the fact that half of adults have pets and those pets' lifespans tend to be much shorter than humans'. The study's author, Professor Philip Hyland, argues that this evidence shows that grief over a pet is no less legitimate than grief for a human.
According to Hyland, diagnostic guidelines currently in place do not allow for PGD to be diagnosed following the death of a pet, which he believes is "callous" and "scientifically misguided". He calls for these guidelines to be expanded, acknowledging that people can experience clinically relevant levels of grief after losing a pet, rates that are comparable to human losses considered legitimate risk factors for PGD.
Ultimately, the study's findings challenge our assumptions about what constitutes bereavement and how we measure grief. As Hyland so eloquently puts it, "the decision to exclude pet loss from the bereavement criterion for PGD can be viewed as not only scientifically misguided but also as callous". It's time to rethink our approach to pet loss and recognize that the bond between us and our pets is a profound one, worthy of compassion and understanding.
I'm totally with Professor Philip Hyland on this - it's time we give grief over losing our furry friends the recognition they deserve! 
Losing a pet can be just as heartbreaking as losing a human loved one, and it's crazy to think that some people might feel ashamed or embarrassed about expressing their feelings. 
I mean, who needs shame when you're grieving? 
We need to acknowledge that our pets are part of the family and their loss can have a lasting impact on our mental health. 
I'm all for expanding the diagnostic guidelines to include pet loss as a valid cause of PGD. It's time we give ourselves permission to grieve in a way that feels authentic, just like we would with human loss. 
. The research says it all - we love our pets like they're family members 
. The fact that PGD (prolonged grief disorder) can be triggered by pet loss is mind-blowing 
. I mean, who wouldn't feel sad or numb after saying goodbye to their beloved pup? 
. We need to stop being so "callous" 
!
apparently 1 in 12 cases of pgd r caused by pet loss that's crazy 
. Why do we make it so hard 2 acknowledge? Shouldn't we be supportin ppl losin their fur babies as much as we do ppl losin loved ones? 
. Losing a pet is like losing a part of the family, you know? I had my cat for 17 years and when she passed away it was like a piece of me died too 
. The fact that research shows grief over pets is similar to human loss just makes sense to me. I mean, who needs some arbitrary rule saying you can't grieve for your pet? It's all about emotional validation 
. And honestly, if PGD can be diagnosed for losing a family member or friend, why not a beloved pet? Let's give those furry friends the respect and compassion they deserve 
. It makes sense when you think about it - we've got emotional connections with our pets, they're part of the family 
. I mean, think about it, we're already not doing enough to support people who've lost loved ones, so why should we be any more compassionate towards someone who's lost a pet? It's all about setting boundaries and expectations, you know? We need to start normalizing the grief process for pets, not just dismissing it as "just" pet loss. And what's with the diagnostic guidelines being so inflexible? It's like they're saying, "oh, sorry, your feelings aren't good enough." I think we need to have a national conversation about this and redefine what it means to be bereaved. After all, shouldn't compassion be universal, regardless of species?