Zoochosis.

Extract taken from Wikipedia.

Animals in captivity are subject to countless restrictions. They live a life of extreme sensory deprivation. It is limited what they can do and who they can socialize with. They are often separated them from their families and friends. It is decided who they can mate with, or denied them access to a mate, entirely and artificially inseminate them using sexually abusive and invasive procedures. Their movements are restricted, their behavior, their decision to have offspring, and their ability to fully achieve their higher-level needs, such as the desire to live autonomously, make decisions, and do meaningful work. Research has shown that the effects of captivity are so damaging that they can actually cause physical changes to brain structures that can affect health and behavior.

When animals are denied the ability to live sensory-rich lives and their experiences are limited to the most boring, blank canvas, mental illness develops.

Is zoochosis a sign of suffering?

Definitely.

These behaviors are a worrying sign of poor welfare and clearly show the animals/humans, stress and frustration at being unable to engage in instinctive behaviors.

Some facilities have even gone so far as to administer antidepressants and antipsychotics to a number of different species of animals, but this does not address the underlying cause of their chronic distress, namely captivity.

Zoochosis is a psychological disorder that manifests itself in abnormal and often unhealthy physical behaviors. It is caused largely, by psychological factors result of physical confinement and sensory deprivation.

How to prevent zoochosis?

Do not keep animals in captivity. As simple as that. If you have to confine an animal to prevent it from escaping, the animal will be held captive, which means you are not respecting the animal right for freedom.

Some birds pluck their feathers due to living conditions such as boredom, lack of exercise or activity, isolation, or lack of playtime with their caretakers. Malnutrition can also lead to feather plucking.

I had arrived in Germany completely healthy and happy, in peace, quite the opposite of what I was living now. I begun with a bad problem called skin picking, also panic attacks, insomnia, migraines, fear of trusting new people, weight gain and post partum depression.