Cats: Are they the Furry Loveable Cause of Mental Illness?

It seems that the caricature image of ‘crazy cat ladies’ may actually have some evidence behind it, as research conducted last year has proven there may be a possible link between cats and mental illness.

A study published by Schizophrenia Research has shown that there is a link between exposure to cats and mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. According to the research, millions of people have contracted a common cat parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. The parasite has been show to affect the behaviour of mice and rats by altering their sense of fear, making them more susceptible to being preyed on by cats. Once ingested by the cat, the parasite is able to sexually reproduce and the eggs can be found in cat faeces, ready to infect its next host.

An estimated 60 million people in the US have been infected with the parasite; the majority of people live without any symptoms of it. However, researchers have tied the cat parasite to a number of serious health conditions found amongst people with weak immune systems including blindness, mental illness, flu-like illness, and miscarriages amongst pregnant women.

Whilst there is much evidence to suggest that there is a possible link between the parasite and mental illness, the research does not prove that the parasite is the cause of mental health disorders. Having said this, there is hope that further research may provide more evidence linking the two and can help scientists progress further in finding a cure for mental illnesses.