Fishing cures PTSD and anxiety, first ever clinical study aims to prove

Fishing has long been lauded as a relaxing pastime which can put one’s mind at ease.

While it has been claimed anecdotally that fishing can help with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental conditions, psychologists are working with military veterans to determine if there is a connection in the first ever clinical study of its kind.

Dr Nick Cooper, of the University of Essex, who is leading the study as part of NHS research funding, told The Telegraph that he wants to build evidence on nature-based social prescribing.

He hopes that the study will result in GPs prescribing fishing as a treatment for PTSD, depression and anxiety.

“Currently, there isn’t enough scientific evidence to prescribe this so they are trying to build this so that people can be sure and certain that they can prescribe this in the future,” Dr Cooper said.

As part of the study, veterans will be invited to fish over one weekend between August and October, where they spend all day fishing on the Saturday and Sunday and have the standard measures of PTSD, anxiety, depression and wellbeing symptoms assessed.

Participants will be randomly assigned one of two fishing groups, with researchers to observe how well angling helps them with their mental health.

These measures will be taken two weeks before the volunteers go fishing, just before they start fishing, two weeks after they have fished, then four weeks after, and finally four months after. The results will be presented to the Department for Health before being submitted to a peer reviewed journal.

‘It gives your brain a rest’

Robbie Arnott, 33, served in the infantry, 1 Royal Anglian, until 2011, having joined up straight out of school. He rose to the position of Corporal and completed two tours of Afghanistan.

It was only once he had left the Army that problems with his mental health became apparent. “I became a bit of a recluse, I didn’t want to socialise,” he said.

“I could lose my temper at the stupidest thing, I couldn’t sleep and I had anxiety.”

He said that he now spends most weekends fishing at the lakes, and fits it in after work when he can.

“It definitely improves my mental health because I come back really chilled,” he said.

“I think it is being in nature and being in the quiet. When you are down the lakes it’s just you and your friends if you want to talk.”

Mr Arnott added that those he fishes with tend to be soldiers, police officers and paramedics.

“It’s like a second family down there now,” he added.

“When you are fishing you are with chosen company, or on your own. You try and relax and process. You want to catch fish and it gives your brain a bit of a rest.”

‘A real lifeline to those in desperate need’

The study, which is part of the Angling for Good project, led by the university’s department of psychology and non-profit iCarp, will take place at the project’s new home in a nature reserve near Harwich, Essex.

Dr Nick Cooper said: “This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to help improve the lives of anyone who struggles with PTSD or other complicated mental health conditions.

“This is the next step in our research, and we believe angling can offer a real lifeline to those in desperate need.”

He added: “Veterans are amongst the bravest in our society and many of them and their families have to live with the terrible burden of PTSD.

“They have often sacrificed so much, but if they can give us just one weekend by the lake - we believe our research can change the lives of thousands of people across the country.”

Dr Cooper said he is confident that “a day or so” spent at the lakes can “really help people struggling with some of the after-effects of trauma”.