People suffering with depression, particularly women?

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??

thanks
x

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 Source(s): My doctor told me that......

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