I keep fish for therapy, and suggest it as such.

[Redearsunfish]

Although I'm only 17 I feel the same sense of carelessness when I'm in front of my tanks, even if I'm doing water changes, and especially when feeding. Its like my one place where no one can interfere with me. I'm the only person who keeps catfish and all in my country, my friends think I'm addicted and all but the truth is I'd much rather have a hobby of keeping fish than going out every weekend and getting badly influenced.

Even this site helps me to keep my mind off of my personal problems, its nice to have great conversations about our wet friends

Your avatar is great!

 

[Death Pony]

I have ADD and anxiety disorder, so I find the fishkeeping hobby relaxing as well. It's amazing what a tank as small as 6 gallons can do to the nerves. It also gives me a softer medium to work with instead of metal. Watching my killies constantly moving is always fun.

My orchids and carnivorous plants are the same way. I can sit and stare at the subtle textures of the leaves and flowers for longer than I'd like to admit.

 

[Redearsunfish]

i'm truly glad i'm not the only one.

 

[tyl089]

Def need to be looking at my fish more, my management company at the place I'm living in is driving me and all my neighbors crazy right now, and only way to relax so far is reading and looking at my fish.

 

[mother monster]

You described it so well! It's good&comforting to see others who find such relief in their hobby too. I struggle with anxiety, bipolar, depression & OCD, and to be able to be so in-control of my tanks, as well as the ultimate peace&joy they bring me has changed my life. I talk to anyone I can about my babies [though unfortunately I don't know anyone IRL who's as avid as I am], and I'm very proud of all the work I put into them. They are art, and my children. Whenever I'm stressed, crying, afraid, disconsolate, I spend hours staring in the glass windows or my dangling my fingers in the water. My fish are used to my constant handling, so most of them come up to my hands and brush against my fingers and nibble them a bit, or even play 'tag'. Nothing brings me more peace than to watch them swim carelessly! My bird enjoys watching them, too. I still own the very first fish I bought when I started the hobby, and fishkeeping has taken over my life. I wouldn't have it any other way!!!