ESA for Bipolar Disorder: Eligibility, Perks, and Steps To Apply

Living with bipolar disorder can feel like being the main character in a movie where the script keeps changing, so you never know what to expect. One minute you’re on top of the world, full of wonder and infectious energy. The next, everything feels too heavy, and you’re struggling to get out of bed.

The dramatic changes in energy and mood can leave you feeling lost, drained, and confused. To fight these feelings, you may be considering topping off your traditional treatments (like medication and therapy) with an emotional support animal. 

But could an ESA really be the missing piece of the puzzle that improves your symptoms and well-being, or is it just one more thing you’ll have to worry about?

In this guide, we’ll explain whether you can get an ESA for bipolar disorder and what the pros of potentially having one are. We’ll also go over the requirements to get approved for an ESA and challenges you may run into during the process.

Can You Get an Emotional Support Animal for Bipolar Disorder?

You sure can! People with a qualifying mental health condition listed in the DSM-5-TR (like bipolar disorder) can count on ESA treatment if their symptoms significantly affect their daily lives. And, let’s face it, bipolar symptoms often do.

But here’s the thing: you can’t just walk into a shelter, grab the first animal that tugs at your heartstrings, start calling it an ESA, and bring it home with you. First, you need to get official paperwork—an ESA letter, which gives you the legal right under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) to live with an ESA wherever you want without discrimination.

This means you won’t have to follow housing rules like “no pets” policies, pet rent or deposits, or rules on the kind of pet you can keep. Your support animal will be exempt from these, whether it’s a dog, chicken, or snake.

An ESA letter can only be issued by a licensed mental health professional (LMHP) after a one-on-one evaluation confirming your condition and need for an ESA. And while this may be a bit of a hassle, what an ESA can do for your symptoms is absolutely worth the effort.

The Role of an ESA in Managing Bipolar Disorder Symptoms

Bipolar disorder can include a range of moods and symptoms, such as:

• Mania
• Depression
• Irritability
• Anxiety
• Social isolation
• Delusions or hallucinations
• Impulsiveness and risky behavior

In addition to being generally cute and lovable, emotional support animals can help manage some of these symptoms and make you feel less alone during episodes. Here are some of the ways they can they can aid your recovery:

1. Giving a sense of structure and stability
2. Providing a positive distraction
3. Offering emotional grounding 
4. Promoting physical activity
5. Boosting confidence and self-esteem
6. Providing no-pressure companionship

Giving a Sense of Structure and Stability

Sticking to a routine can go a long way in keeping manic and depressive episodes under control, but it’s something that many people with bipolar disorder struggle with. An ESA makes it easier by “forcing” you to create a predictable schedule without too much stress.

You know that your ESA is counting on you to care for it, so you have to come through. Whether you’re feeling up to it or not, you’ll get up every day to feed your animal. Depending on the type of ESA you get, you may also need to clean up after them, bathe them every few days, and take them out for walks.

Caring for an ESA will help add structure to your days and give you a sense of purpose, helping channel your energy when your emotions start to bubble or you lose motivation to do the things you normally would.

Providing a Positive Distraction

You could be just staring into space and, out of nowhere, your thoughts start racing in all sorts of directions, and you feel the urge to do something new and unexpected.

Impulsive thoughts like these are common during manic episodes, and without a distraction, you may find yourself indulging in them. 

Physical interaction with an ESA can help redirect attention from chaotic thoughts, pulling you back to reality. Instead of spiralling, you can focus on the animal in front of you and the tasks that need to get done in the present moment.

Offering Emotional Grounding

Studies have shown that cuddling and petting an animal or just being around one releases feel-good hormones like oxytocin and endorphin. Be it a small dog or an even smaller guinea pig, an ESA can provide huge emotional benefits like:

• Promoting relaxation
• Easing anxiety, stress, sadness, and restlessness
• Increasing feelings of social support

Spending time with an ESA can provide physical and emotional relief during high-stress moments by calming your nervous system, slowing your heart rate, and lowering your blood pressure.

Their soothing presence creates a sense of safety and connection, helping quiet down chaotic emotions or delusional thoughts and encouraging you to return to yourself again and again.

Promoting Physical Activity

If you have an emotional support animal for a bipolar disorder that requires regular exercise, like a dog or a pony, you automatically have a reason to leave your house and go on a walk once or twice a day.

Doing so helps you stay active and engaged, and even adds some pep to your step when you’re in a depressive state that eats up all your energy. This can work wonders for your mental health.

And when you’re filled with boundless manic energy, physical activity like walks and playtime with your ESA releases some of that fire, regulating your mood and reducing the impulse to do something rash.

Boosting Confidence and Self-Esteem

Bipolar disorder can affect the way you see yourself. One tiny setback, mistake, or criticism can spark intense self-doubt, guilt, and hopelessness, causing you to spiral.

But caring for an ESA offers a sense of accomplishment. It’s no small feat to keep a pet alive and thriving even when your mind is unraveling; that’s something to be proud of. Your pet’s presence can be a daily reminder that you’re capable, tough, and able to care for yourself, too, which can enhance your self-worth and emotional well-being.

Providing No-Pressure Companionship

It’s not unusual to withdraw from social activities during bipolar episodes due to overstimulation, irritability, or shame. Low energy brought on by depression can make texting or answering the phone feel like pushing a giant rock up a hill, never mind that the person on the other end is someone you love.

Unfortunately, isolation can increase loneliness and worsen your symptoms. This is where an ESA for bipolar disorder comes in handy. They’ll stay by your side without question or judgment, providing love, support, and companionship when human interactions are too much to handle.

They don’t need you to hold conversations. They won’t get mad, disappointed, or offended when you say the wrong thing or just sit and stare. And when you emerge from an episode, you can just carry on with them like nothing happened—no need to explain or apologize.

Choosing the Right ESA for Bipolar Disorder

While any domesticated animal that doesn’t cause undue damage can be an ESA, the most common choices are:

• Cats
• Dogs
• Rabbits
• Fish

Lately, many people have been exploring more outside-the-box ESA options such as:

• Rats
• Monkeys
• Pigs
• Macaws
• Bearded dragons

And while these choices may seem unconventional, here’s the thing: there’s no specific emotional support animal that’s ideal for bipolar disorder above any other. What matters is what’s the best option for you, and weighing these factors can help you decide on one:

How To Get an ESA for Bipolar Disorder

Your pet may be your life jacket—the thing keeping you afloat in the unpredictable sea of bipolar symptoms. However, it won’t be officially recognized as an ESA or welcomed by most landlords unless you obtain an ESA letter.

The process involves a few steps:

1. Find a licensed mental health professional (LMHP)
2. Get evaluated
3. Collect the letter

Find a Licensed Mental Health Professional (LMHP)

Look up LMHPs and book a consultation with the one that makes you feel the most comfortable and who can see you as soon as possible. But bear in mind that you must choose an LMHP practicing in your state to ensure compliance with any local ESA regulations that may apply in addition to the FHA. 

For example, in states like Iowa and California, you need to have a relationship with your LMHP for 30 days or more before they can issue you an ESA letter.

The good news is you don’t have to limit your search to therapists. You can seek the services of other LMHPs, such as a:

• Psychiatrist
• General physician
• Licensed counselor
• Nurse practitioner
• Clinical social worker

Get Evaluated

When you attend the appointment, the LMHP will assess your mental health to determine if an ESA can help tone down your bipolar disorder symptoms and improve your well-being.

But remember that there are no guarantees in the process. You can be denied an ESA if the LMHP doesn’t think that your mental health struggles rise to the level of a qualifying condition or feels that owning an ESA isn’t the right treatment for you.

Collect the Letter

If you’re approved for an emotional support animal to help manage your bipolar disorder, your LMHP will provide an official ESA letter. This letter lets you access housing protections under the FHA.

You can present it to your landlord to request that they waive any existing pet restrictions. Once your request is approved, you can move your ESA into your home.

The Challenges of Getting an ESA Letter

Obtaining an ESA isn’t always a walk in the park. There are a few things that can get in the way and potentially land you in legal trouble:

The good news is you can avoid these worries and complications by choosing a transparent online platform like Your Service Animal. It provides ESA letters that tick all the legal requirements without delays.

Your Service Animal: A Fast & Reliable Way To Get Your ESA Letter

With Your Service Animal, you no longer have to jump through hoops to obtain your ESA letter. The platform spares you the stress of:

• Spending hours researching LMHPs to find the right one
• Waiting a long time for an appointment
• Getting a fake letter and putting your housing at risk 

The service quickly connects you with vetted LMHPs in your state, so you can complete the process in no time with these benefits:

Get Started Now

Ready to make an ESA an official member of your mental health support team? Here’s all it takes with YSA: 

1. Find out if you’re a good fit for an ESA letter with our online quiz
2. Schedule an online appointment with a licensed mental health practitioner in your state
3. Attend the online call and receive your ESA letter if clinically appropriate
4. Receive a full refund if the therapist doesn’t issue an ESA letter or your landlord rejects your letter