People suffering with depression, particularly women?

[SH2007]

Hi,I am just wondering. One of the signs of depression is that people 'let themselves go" so to speak, they don't take any care in their appearance and sometimes even their hygiene. I know this differs with everyone...I am suicidal a lot, extremely depressed (am getting help) but i still do my hair, make-up etc and i know my counsellor thought that was a positive sign (like as though it meant i was ok) however- For me, doing it is a way of hiding- not getting attention and feeling good. I feel if i do my hair and make up people won't be looking at me, because i will just blend in..whereas, if i didn't, i would be even more self councious and feel as though i was being stared at., when i just want to hide! Don't get me wrong i hate having to do it, but feel i must....anyone else, particualrly women (although males can answer too) feel this way, even when suffering from depression or do you have a different opinion on the subject??thanksxi guess what i meant to say was i do it so that no one recognises something is wrong.

[fanella]

its just the face you put on its a front that people expect to seeim depressed but dont lie around in my pjs all day crying its not whats expected of me

[WENDY AC]

I think its true in the way that people do let themselves go etc.....I have suffered with depression for nearly 20 years & I dont even know my left from my right!!!

[Everona97]

I went in and out and again in depression like in to dark deep sea. I don't express myself that much, i have my "secret garden". My appearance? Not sure about that one. I just remember that i did put make up before and not now... i had some help, even now... music helped me a lot. i don't hide that much but i am wearing a sun glasses... even at dusk

[hms638]

I'm with you on this one, you don't have to "let yourself go" it's not compulsary, when I was depressed no-one ever knew. My husband suffers terribly from depression but you would never guess to look at him so men hide it too. Hope you start to feel better soon x

[Rose D]

I have let myself go, but have never worn much makeup. I have OCD too. My hubby kept buying me nice clothes, which I get nagged at to wesr, and when I do, he tells me off in case I ruin them! I just can`t win! I heard that depression is catching, but he say`s he`s not depressed, as he always thinks possitive.

[izzabellesangels]

ive suffered depression on and off for 13 years. i still put my face on to go out its a mask. when im really bad yes i let myself go but cannot face leaving the house unwashed or without even a bit of eyeliner.

[BennyBoy]

Most days id wake up, depressed i realized that it would be best for no one else to know. So id get up and plaster on that fake smile and get on with the day,Prentending everything was "ok" not letting anyone get a chance to find out what was truley happening

[MoonBeamBaby]

getting my self dollyed up and taking care of my appearence helped me feel better in myself and i could cope with being me. its a self confidence boost to look and feel good its just mother nature helpin women (and men) to cope with depression, your not alone. :)

[lastofthewonderfullpeople]

i understand the hiding behind the makeup. i too have done this, and to a degree it helps me to feel a little better. But some women feel soooooooo depressed that just the thought of getting dressed is enough to start the crying...good luck with all you are going though.. :)

[Fourcandles]

I do tend to let myself go in someways. I still wash, but don't do make up or brush hair, it's short though so doesn't look really bad. Then I will self harm.My friend is the opposite like you. She isn't obsessed but has to do it almost OCD with it.I suspect your counsellor was trying to encourage you, and reasure you. Let you know that you are on the right road. Speak to her about any concerns. That is what she is there for.

[solarcide]

I used to suffer from severe depression. The anguish that I suffered was indescribable. It's been so long since then that it almost seems like a bad dream (I"m very happy nowadays). I can't say what is causing your depression, but in my case the only way to cure myself was to do some deep soul searching and try to determine what was causing me to feel that way. It took years, but I figured out that it stemmed mostly from abuse in my past. Only by confronting those who had abused me and helping them to see that their behavior was wrong was I able to gain control of my emotional responses and move on with my life. I don't know if this helps or not, but maybe you can glean something useful from my experience. It's good that you're seeking therapy... many people don't.

[kinkybootsno1]

I've been through a "nervous breakdown" but still had my hair & makeup applied perfectly whenever I went out in public.What I looked like when I wasn't going out was another thing entirely......you're right though, there seems to be an image that depressed people are supposed to fit.Female shuffles along with male socks & slippers on, hair short & sticking up in places because of not being combed...no makeup applied & wearing a longish dirty dressing gown........that's not a depressed woman....that's a lazy cow that just can't be bothered......they rarely go hand in hand

[zen]

It means that there's still a little sunshine goin' on there! I take antidepressents too, but at one time longed for death because my world seemed to end up in that "dark" place. My life was, and is good, so I couldn't understand why I felt so sadand hopeless. The doc explained that my brain wasn't producing enough seratonin, and the meds help my "dark" momemts be that, moments... As for the other part your'e askin', I tended to wear drab things to blend in..or not to be noticed. I felt like a kid at times, forcing myself to shower daily, brush my teeth..etc.. But, kiddo, we do it...some people just don't. It takes time to get the full effect of a med or to even find the one that suits you best. I've taken Lexipro, Prozac, and now Paxil. If it doesn't do the job, I'll try another. Our lives matter and our happiness is WORTH it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Willim]

I hope this gives you some hope ...http://www.natural-progesterone-advisory-network.com/depression-and-natural-progesterone.php"It is estimated that 10% of people who visit their physician suffer from major depression, although it in most cases it goes unrecognized or inadequately treated."

[Tan H]

you are mentioning many symptoms related with depression. But depression is a concept rather than a diagnosis and describes a mood situation that is bad... person generally feel himself in a bad mood... many mental disorders show one or more depressive symptoms... so any depressive feeling or bad mood can be together with another mental disorder and type or severity of depression are very important... you are telling something different maybe strange for isolated depressive mood... especially after makeup and without makeup feelings a little complex symptoms and possibly are related with any other situation or a stress factor in your daily life... i think you must try a certain help from your psychiatrist...