There is still a variable amount of stigma when it comes to conversations about mental health - especially in the case of depression where many just oversimplify the symptoms to "being sad." The symptoms of depression take many forms and can be misinterpreted by others as being "lazy" when, in reality, the mental toll is so debilitating that a simple task - such as house cleaning - becomes overwhelming.
Unlike getting a cold, severe depression is not just a sickness you can kick, but people can find ways to make life a bit easier with medication and therapy. Getting a handle on this mental illness can lead to various results, and for many, it is cleaning up their "depression nest." Bored Panda has curated the following list of before and after bedroom cleanup pictures from people battling depression, that showcase some truly inspiring success stories against this illness.
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Me 1 - Depression 0!
I suffer from severe depression and have a really hard time with cleaning and doing other kinds of household work. My room have been this messy for several months because I can't push myself to take care of it. But this friday I decided to finally do it!
Three days later you can finally see that I have a floor! Say hi to my teddy Nalle on the bed!
I know it's not a big victory, but for me it means the world to just be able to have my door open if people come over.
I feel so at peace right now, just wanted to share with all of you.
Great Job. For you, a fight against depression. So, you win. :-)
Cleaning Up Your Depression
There was a dead mouse (my cat's trophy) and roaches. I didn't know because my room was so stuffy I aired it out every day, sometimes twice a day.
Background:
I got hit with depression around the age of 7 and started trying to commit suicide at 8. I was severely bullied until I dislocated some guy's shoulder when I was 11-ish. I passed tests and age 11 I had the "mental capacity" of a 16 year old. So I skipped a year. Although I was fine for a year, I then moved to a bigger place (I used to be at a school with 120 kids and moved to a place with 450 kids). I was bullied an awful lot. I had skipped a year and oh boy this private, conservative, highly religious place was so not my cup of tea. I developped massive social anxiety (at age 13, seriously. I wish I were a tumblr special snowflake making sh*t up rn). I had panic attacks daily, often passed out, threw up, had insomnias and etc.
Fast forward over a year and a half, school was back in and I missed more than half the month of school. I didn't go at all in October.
In November I was interned at a psychiatric facility.
They were awful.
There was no heating, it was always around 10 degrees (celsius), the food was revolting, and most of all, the nurses were bordeline abusive.
They blamed my mother for not being harsh enough and isolated me from her and my LDR girlfriend who was my only support. If things didn't go their way, they yelled, insulted, sometimes grabbed and shoved you around and would talk in your back 24/7. I got out a month later, hit with sometimes hallucinations, dissociating frequently, having a massive phobia of school in general and being paranoid. I also developped an eating disorder and varied in between starving myself and binging (like, 7000 calories binges).
Anyhow, fastforward several years of doing nothing, sleeping between 7am and 4pm to avoid as much living as possible, watching films and basically doing f**k all but binge, sleep and computer. I attempted suicide again in April. I basically shoved down more than 8000mg of paracetamol. I got hospitalized and I somehow barely got affected and drank a quarter of my dose of charcoal (they kept me awake until I drank some but gave up eventually). I stay 3 months in hospital.
About 6 months after the hospital, I discover have a 97% chance of being autistic, that I'm a "gifted child" with hypersensibility. (I couldn't afford the next tests because they cost hundreds so I'm leaving it at 97% chance) I've beaten what the psych facility did to me except for the fact I restricted myself to approx 1500cal/day and due to being shut in my room for so long I have migraines when I'm exposed to sunlight and get rash. Sucks.
Things didn't move much for a while after that but this September I went back to school. I picked up my studies although I'd dropped out after the psych facility. I'm currently studying and fighting both ED and depression and tbh I think I'm winning.
Wow... I can't say I relate, not at all. But I understand the tiniest fraction of what you are going through. Bullies suck and being sad all the time and you don't always know why.... That I understand. A little bit. You will get through. I admire you a lot for your struggle. Good job for getting your room clean. It may look like a little win but it is a big one because the battle is won in small victories.
Exactly. And because of his thoughts - he thinks he's the one who is winning in the process. :)
Load More Replies...Wow..... this was like reading my own life story... I have schizophrenia and with that insomnia and severe social anxiety as well. I’ve attempted suicide twice and somehow made it... I just wanna say that you are seriously so freaking strong. I dropped out of school three years ago during sophomore year due to my social anxiety causing me to pass out and puke during classes. I tried online school but since I have depression it really didn’t go well. I literally have no motivation lol. But since then I’ve been diagnosed with schizophrenia and actually found a few medicines that work after 6 years of trying different meds... I can finally hold a job :) life is getting better little by little and I’ve actually been able to make friends for the first time in my life. You are so much stronger than me and if life is getting better for me I’m so excited for how much better it’s gonna get for you. Reading that youve gone through a similar experience is really moving... thanks for posting:)
You are so brave and honest and very smart to know and recognize and admit all of these things. Love hugs and prayers for you.
i have gone through the same thing :/ but now im used to bullies and im still trying to resist "the urges"...
I hope so much that you can keep resisting. I know how much damage bullying does but I also know that bullied people are usually amazing. Creative, kind, empathetic & loyal. Please stay.
Load More Replies...You got this! It's so terrible when people are misdiagnosed and put through b.s. just to try and get better. You will get stronger everyday keep your head up!!
I’m really proud of you. Remember that there’s a chance you will relapse but don’t let that unmotivate you
You are so brave and you are absolutely winning and your room looks f*****g great. I literally cried reading what you went through and inspired by your story and pics. Best of luck to you & thank you for sharing.
My best wishes is recovery for you! You've been dealing with a lot of pain pretty much all your life. I pray that you'll find the right people for you who can help you overcome all this so that we can see you shine bright and give your best to the world 🙏🏽🦋🕯️🌻
So far. My room is the worst. Tho not the same, I almost feel like yours is my shoe. Wisened by traumas, ptsds, early life events, semi nde's, early separation, violence, abuse, and 15yrs in criminal org. I never complained because I hated hearing references about children in 3rd world countries which guilt trips any real person. I used the chip (^shoulder) as fuel for my amibiton. And I used anger and pain to reach move like success which was all beautiful until I realized children survivors who overcome unique lives are the ones who become saviors. And by that I mean, people who are compelled to sacrifice. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-the-garden-good-and-evil/201312/empathy-compassion-responsibility-in-altruism-and-heroism?amp People are petty, selfish, blind, bystanders, group effected, cowards, NOT EMPATHETIC (read the article above please) Due to being the youngest sibling & only one to exp separation. I realized MANY TRUTHS and DIFFERENCES. GOOD DIE YOUNG.
I tryied commiting suicide at the age of 11 (now I'm good), not 8! My twin sister mutilated herself, tryied commiting suicide at the age of 12. I helped her out with some of my friends.
Keeping up your journey of discovery. It can be amazing out there, best of luck!!
(Continued). This meant a much more stable, private economy after my loving wife and I had been battling with a bad economy because of my bad working abilities. This changed all - my mood got better and now I spend my time with my hobbies & interests: genealogy, bible study group, music, astronomy as well as sometimes singing in a choir. I met my former public school classmates at a 20 year anniversary back in 2000 when well-skilled social workers was working with my diagnosis, and I told my old class about it. This explained very much for them and they got quite sorry about their behaviour against me back in the 1970's. I have forgiven all of them. And now I have a good life. Our loving daughter is to turn 26 years old next June (diagnosed with autism at age 3½) means so much to me, as does my faith in Christ. Sorry about this long writing :-) - I will now send you my best wishes - take good care of yourselv :-)!
Thanks for sharing :-)! - I was a stranger at public school - was told that I was deeply weird and a 'dreamer type' of person, so many kids there - also younger and older ones - treated me badly. Nevertheless, I made some beautiful, lasting friendships and the girls in my class tried to defend me at their best. It was mainly boys who severely teased me. My years at high school was pretty much easier, socially, and my favourite subjects were (just like public school) English, German, French, and Latin. English & Latin I still use in my hobby as a genalogist which hobby I began already in 1982. - After graduating, I took a 1 year education at merchant school and also there, languages kept being my favourite subjects. Nevertheless, I started suffering from psychologic instability and was not able to cope with jobs (except for a wonderful job as a church choir singer) and was diagnosed with the autism called Asperger's Syndrome back in 2002 and was granted with early pension.
Omg hope things are looking up now. I went through a similar situation except my depression didn't start until I was 16 years. Had so many replases I've stop counting. They say there is a silver lining but personally I think that's all b******t.
Your room is just lovely now. I’m sorry to hear you had such an awful time in that dreadful psych facility. In spite of all the awful things that have happened to you, you’re fighting back - and winning! A journey begins with single steps, which you’re taking: best of luck.
Well done! It takes a lot to push through that. You’ll feel pleased and proud of yourself for weeks now.
I hope you pull through these hard times and find happiness in your life! The teen years are the absolute hardest. High school can be crushing. Keep your head up. Whether you believe it now or not, you will go on and do some pretty great things in your life! ...and your room looks great :)
I am so sorry that the system let you down. I got my Autism diagnosis last year at the age of 28 and I totally get how you must have struggled and still are most likely. The hyper sensitivity is a massive struggle I know all to well and I think you get more sensitive when you are locked in your room/house for a long period of time. I have an autistic burn out, but I think you may to have that, I really think you should look into that. I think you are so so brave for putting up your story here and you did a really really great job. You can be proud of yourself and who you are. "We are not a disorder or different. You just think different because our brain processes information another way." Please reach out to me if you ever want to talk.
Very tragic sequence of events... Very sorry to hear that the psych ward was so awful. Two things, 8000mg of paracetamol is 16 tablets of acetaminophen (Tylenol). You'll only kill your liver by doing that. Also, you said at the end you're still fighting "ED and depression"? Erectile Dysfunction...?
This Is Gross, But After Years Of Depression, I’ve Finally Cleaned My Room
I was diagnosed with severe depression when I was about 12. I’m going on 19 this year. I’ve always had a big struggle with keeping my room presentable and, looking back at these pictures, I am genuinely disgusted with how I used to live.
I decided two weeks ago that I wouldn’t live like this anymore. I’ve been cleaning ever since, putting in at least five hours a day. And now I’m happy to say, my room is almost done.
I donated 80% of my things including clothing, old books, old toys, etc. As of right now, I’m still working. My room is completely empty. Even the furniture is gone. My plan is to repaint and get a futon instead of my decade and a half old mattress. It felt impossible when I started, but the only thing stopping me was me. I am proud of the work I have put in and I just thought I would share in case anyone else is going through the same thing. It is doable.
Wow, this was a massive project. I'm proud of you, even though you are stranger to me. Love your big, bright living space. :)
My Neckbeard Nest, After Months Of Not Caring, I Looked Down And Realized What This Was Doing To My Mental Health
Today Was A Good Day, Even Though I Did Not Have Fun. I Did The Necessary
The top photo is what happens when your days bleed into each other and you keep putting things off because of lethargy and sadness. And the bottom is what happens when you decide to engage in depression treatment.
I'm disabled and spend a lot of time in my wheelchair or in bed. The before picture looks like my room at the moment. I wish I was strong enough to achieve the after picture
Before And After Cleaning Up My Depression Nest
So, The First Picture Is Depression For Me. It’s Awful And Embarrassing. Next Pic Is The Same Room In My Apartment
Still got a bit more to go, but damn I am so proud of this progress!
Let me also say, I didn’t do this in a marathon cleaning kind of way. It took me a week. I made it a goal to take out one bag of trash and pick up at least 10 things a day. Sometimes I would do more than 10 and sometimes the trash bag would be bigger than others, but by not overwhelming myself, I got this done.
I’ve Been Dealing With Depression For About Three Years Now, And While My Room Has Never Been Among The Tidiest Out There, The State Of My Habitat Just Worsened My Mental State
Not pictured: the countless loads of laundry done and put away, the six full trash bags, or the four bags of things that went to donation.
Cleaned My Room Thoroughly For The 1st Time In 2 Years. Feels Like A Physical Sign My Depression Is Getting Better
My (19F) Own Depression Nest Before And After. Super Embarrassing But Glad I’m Out Of That Headspace
No, no, no embarrassment. Great job on the room. Now you've got a place of peace and calm. That's the best part.
Grieving Over My Mom Put Me In A Deep Depression. I Decided To Deep Clean Everything For Fresh Start
My Depression Nest. Hopefully Cleaning Helps Me Get Out Of This Rut
Depression Recovery Comes One Step At A Time!
Depression Hit Me Hard A Few Years Ago... I’m Finally Taking Steps To Fight It. It’s Not Perfect, But I Have My Room Back!
Before And After. Too Depressed To Clean Until I Went On Medication. Still Proud Of Myself, Five Years Later
I Have So Much To Say About All Of This And Just Don’t Know How To Find The Words
I’ve spent the past two years in a fugue state, incredibly depressed and tired after a traumatic event in 2017, on top of buildup from high school trauma. Besides all that, I’ve never been a clean person - in case you couldn’t have guessed. I have a whole laundry list of mental and physical problems (I’ll spare you) that make it excedingly difficult to effectively organize and even move sometimes.
But… Something changed last night. I feel like a light switch clicked on in my brain that hasn’t been on in 5+ years. I am so, so proud of myself. My girlfriend and I have transformed this apartment in twelve hours and I am so excited to see what it will become in the next few days. We’ve had to clean up our depression messes before but this time I actually want to change for good, and am confident that I can.
I'm posting this because… Well, I know there are others in as sh*tty a place as me. And I know no one wants to show what it can look like. But no matter how deep your trash pit is, you can dig yourself out of it. Recovery is possible. Respecting yourself by respecting your living space is possible. I wish you all luck.
doing simple tasks at home should improve the depression, try it every day little by little... do not stay at home.... go for a walk or go window shopping... sports are very good to clean your mind.
Overcoming Depression: Living Room Addition
Well Overdue Cleaning! I Could Feel A Depressive Spiral A’creepin’, So Bit Of A Spring Clean Was Needed
Been Going Through A Rough Patch Since December - Finally Got My Room Together Though
Well done, proud of you :) Just thinking the walls need a little cheer up as well ;)
It’s Hard To Clean Your Room With Depression But Y'all I Cleaned It Finally
Took about 4 hours maybe? I just turned on criminal minds and went to work finally. But thank god it’s done!! I still have to clean my desk and i’m washing all of my bedding (hence just the plain mattress on the floor) but like damn y'all. I’m proud of myself.
I have depression, but as a result i'm am a severely obsessive compulsive cleaner. My flat is like a show home because it's my nest. I don't leave it except when I have to (mainly for work). It's the only part of my life I feel fully in control of. I find this interesting to see how depression effects people in completely polar opposite ways
The Before And After Of 14 Hours Of Cleaning. Finally Got Rid Of My 3 Month Depression Nest!
Depression Mess. Not Perfect, But A Good Start
Depression And Anxiety Related Mess. I Feel Like I Can Breathe In My Room And It’s Become My Little Oasis. Now To Scrub And Repaint The Walls And Replace The Beat Up Rug
Finally Cleaned My Room After My Depression Took A Steep Dive. I’m Feeling Better Already
Depression. One Step At A Time! Feeling Pretty Good About Myself Right Now
After been dying to clean my house for a year now it's taking a lot to actually get down and do it. I haven't really done this in 5 years! Tend to keep the places and things I use clean and tidy (barely) but just leave everything else anywhere and not bothering with it! The inspiration for doing this was the fact of it's sad to look at, thinking "how did I let this happen? This is disgusting!, you are a lazy slob!" and I have man in my life now who inspires me to be a better version and it was probably the kick I needed to just take a step back and think "I am not living like this anymore!
Finally Cleaned My Depression Nest
Depressed-Nest. Freshened Up The Bed Area
Before And After. Beating Depression
I suffer from PTSD from Iraq and Afghanistan. I clean every day but when it hits me really bad, my home can go from clean to chaos in minutes. ive been learning how to calm down and accept. my girlfriend and four adopted cats are my biggest supporters and the reason I keep going every day. its not easy, but for those out there that may think is no possible, please keep you head up and take things in your own terms and time.
Sending ❤. I've suffered from depression and PTSD since childhood myself.
Load More Replies...It's so hard to find the mental and physical strength to clean and organize.
You can do it, to be kind to yourself, to show that you value yourself. And let it take the time it does. You don't need to rush. Once you get a clean spot you can feel good about it, and it will inspire you to do more, and for every time you get a new clean spot, you realise you value yourself higher and higher. The trick is not to do things perfectly, there's no such thing as perfect, but to your own satisfaction. You are worthy. You are valued. Be your own best friend, your own warrior. Always stay on your own side. My best wishes for you. 💖
Load More Replies...Oh god I can so relate to this post and these pics. Unfortunately I'm stuck in the "before" state st present because my Depression is do severe that I can't do anything let alone eat or clean or any of the routine maintenance tasks because they Judy seem futile. I've been accused of being a "hoarder" by ignorant people in the past - even though my psychiatrist describes the abandonment of basic household maintenance, etc., as symptomatic of "garden variety (ie., common) Depression", especially Major Depression, from which I have suffered my entire life, complicated further by complex PTSD and a plethora of physical illnesses.
Bless you. I can certainly relate. My depression is much better now than it was in the past. I'm fortunate enough to be managing it through counseling and medication. Sending ❤
Load More Replies...You are very brave for sharing what you are ashamed of. Thank you.
I didn't realize my neighbor "X" dealt with depression until her boyfriend moved out, leaving her and her son. When things became messy, she was so overwhelmed, she didn't know how or where to begin. I first heard her wailing and thrashing around when she had to find a prescription that had been swallowed into the mess. Ironically, it was medication for her depression. I went over and we sifted and sifted until the prescription was found, then sifted some more until the major part of the mess was moved out. I bought three small garden garbage cans and bags, put one in each room, then helped her to reduce the immense amount of "inventory" that fell into clutter. She had a lot of difficulty with mail, so I got a stapler and put it on a cord tied to the leg of her dining room. This way she could open mail, move the most important page to the top, and staple everything together. We got four large stacking bins and labeled them DO NOW, DO SOON, FILE, TRASH, and ???.
You are an angel. That was just what she needed: a friend.
Load More Replies...I think it's brave that these people risk judgement for the sake of showing a facet of depression (or anxiety) that nobody really knows about. People with depression can go on about how they feel all day and will get some understanding but when there's a physical result, such as sickness, no motivation to clean or take care of oneself, people are automatically disgusted and believe the sufferer to be a pig/slob/lazy. The reality is that this is one of the ways mental illness manifests itself and its worse that the sufferers feel ashamed and guilty already, but will receive judgement none the less. There are differences between a generally untidy or lazy person, one difference being that people with depression actually keep some things organised, things that they need to cope, for example the guy with the tiny room in #1 still kept his desk and laptop clear, the one with the dolls on the shelf were still intact, as well as the one with the piano etc
so much respect for these people for actually making the changes and sharing them with us! Inspired me to clean my apartment!
i'm still stuck in the before picture due to my severe anxiety disorder with depressive episodes. how do i get to the after without a self help book?
it's the little things really.. one day i organized my books, another i did my clothes.. if you do too much i can happen that you don't see a start or an end.. clothes for example: one day, put them in the washing machine and hang them up (one maschine at the time, )the other day organze one half of your closet ... maybe ask a friend to help you.. take breaks and make babysteps..maybe make a list with many diferent steps: e.g: kitchen: wash dishes - dry dishes - put away - clean countertop... this way you see the progress better and feel good about checking many boxes :) ... i once tried to clean my whole room and was exhasuted really quick. my friend that helped me, told me to stop and continue on the next day because i tried to do too much and didn't see any progress anymore... :) i wish you the best of luck
Load More Replies...I feel this in so many levels. I don't think anyone else than people like us understand where is this mess comming from. I got better, my room is way cleaner than before... only when I'm super busy or I have a lot of emotional charge I go back to that. but everytime is easier to clean up!
Maybe if you can't get out of the mess, hire cleaning help? I'm sure you still feel better afterwards even if it wasn't you who cleaned.
I think it would be an excellent gift, for someone to do that for a friend who is suffering from depression.
Load More Replies...These pics depress me. It's not just my bedroom, it's my whole place. I look at it, and I get overwhelmed at how much needs to be done, I can't bring myself to even begin. I wasn't always like this--I used to keep a totally tidy place when I was married and raising my daughter. But assorted hardcore life events pretty much sent me into "I just don't care anymore" mode. I hate that I can't take care of my place, but I can't seem to care enough to make a start.
I suffer from depression and although I try my best to keep it tidy, if it starts to get bad my dad tidys it for me. He doesn't say he's doing it, I just sometimes come home to a tidy room
I've considered doing something like this. I have alot of stuff, and my house needs such a deep clean I feel so overwhelmed & embarrassed. I feel defeated so easily in regard to my struggles, and its very easy for me to feel like I should just sleep instead and avoid. It's such a fight to wake up & make an effort. My house is still a wreck, but I have kept up with the laundry & dishes for almost two months now, which is a great start. I used to let the laundry pile up until I had none left, I would even buy new underwear instead of doing laundry sometimes. And the first time I finished all of my laundry, I had so much I can't even fit it all in my dresser. These do help me though, they inspire me to keep trying. Little by little.
It's especially difficult if there are other household members, and you are the only one doing any cleaning. It overwhelms you and you get angry and resentful. This is even more difficult for someone with depression.
Load More Replies...I suffer from severe depression just as a caprice. In fact, I have huge physical and material problems - diabetes, pancreatitis, possible cancer, 1000 euros left after whuch I will kill myself, all my "friends" and "family"were proven hostile informers and a liquidation operation is going on against me with things like 5 different apartments occupied by people who permanently watch my every move. I did more than any other human (not to say more) to save this world and now the world graciously ignores me, fully licks the asses of my killers and plays indignation and revolt every time I ask for my right to life. And still my room looks a bit better. On the other hand I couldn't do more even if I would gather all my energies, because in the same time they stopped my water and any effort, even more going outside, is a true adventure. I forgot to tell that some of the jerks I helped also make fun of me while I die.
It's also hard to do other things like take a shower, get changed......But I learned to push myself and always feel better after I do. It's hard to do something, when all day you are like living dead. Constantly tired.....
Most ackward side of it, amongst nobody likes to clean, is that depression or post traumas, often blinds you out and the most dangerous thing isn't you don't like to keep clean, but that you're blocked even from ask for help. We all saw realities of compulsive accumulators on tv, right ? Well, it takes 2 minutes to call for domestic help, only if you aren't there to make that phone call, even to a friend to tell him to call a maid, things will get unaffordable if not for a specialized team, in a matter of couple of weeks, and that's the dangerous part, to me, if not arriving to those extreme conseguences, just to start and do that big work you need now because you didn't make any little.
This is soooooo familiar. But everyone just says I'm a pack rat. Totally not helping. Once it gets that way, it's so hard to start. You want it all gone at once, but you can't find where you should start. Or you start and see no progress, so you stop. It's exhausting looking at it, but it's exhausting cleaning it too.
I suffer from PTSD from a teenage incident. My apartment is sort of between a depression nest and clean and neat. I try to do one thing every day to keep it up. Sometimes the depression just gets too bad to do anything. It never lasts more than a few days, but during that time, I definitely turn my bedroom in to a nest. Depression over, I start again.
I just thought my daughter was a pig. She does suffer from social anxiety and depression. Didn't think of the connection
House looks a bit like this. WIP. Just dumped the whole closet's contents onto the floor ala Marie Kondo. 3 weeks. 1/2 done. So much washing to get the stained clothes clean again. Step by step.
I can relate to everyone that has posted. I find that I can not think in a cluttered space. The more organized the better I seem to get. I was not always this way. My depression, anxiety and PTSD had made it challenging. I start with making my bed. Because even if I do nothing else at the end of the day I get into a nicely made bed and last thoughts are tomorrow is a new day. So proud of each and everyone who had the courage to share and not keep it secret and in the dark.
I’ve suffered from depression sense I was 5 and when I was 11-12 I started to try and kill myself every other week in total I tried about 30 times and I never left my room so it got messy but I am finally beating my depression one step at a time first off getting motivated to clean my room👍🏻👍🏻 Next step see a therapist and go on some medication I think what caused my depression was all the bullying I went thru especially sense people would mess with me and embarrass me it was so messed up especially after having your parents yell at you everyday😭😢😢😢
I know this is very odd -- but my home was as neat as a pin when I was depressed. It gets rather messy (but not dirty) when I'm feeling well. WTF?
Nope, sorry...I have suffered from clinical depression since I was 15 (I'm now 41). I take two high dose anti-depressants to function and my room as never looked that bad. It is overwhelming, exhausting and incredibly difficult to keep everything organized and tidy and my room is far from spotless but actual garbage on the floor is NOT because of depression. This a very poor representation of depression.
It's interesting to me because I had depression for about 6 years but it never affected me in this way. Maybe it's just always been my nature to be tidy but I can't remember any time when my room was messy.
They aren’t “showing off their depression” they are showing that things can get better. And you seem like the type of person that mental illnesses don’t exist.
Load More Replies...I suffer from PTSD from Iraq and Afghanistan. I clean every day but when it hits me really bad, my home can go from clean to chaos in minutes. ive been learning how to calm down and accept. my girlfriend and four adopted cats are my biggest supporters and the reason I keep going every day. its not easy, but for those out there that may think is no possible, please keep you head up and take things in your own terms and time.
Sending ❤. I've suffered from depression and PTSD since childhood myself.
Load More Replies...It's so hard to find the mental and physical strength to clean and organize.
You can do it, to be kind to yourself, to show that you value yourself. And let it take the time it does. You don't need to rush. Once you get a clean spot you can feel good about it, and it will inspire you to do more, and for every time you get a new clean spot, you realise you value yourself higher and higher. The trick is not to do things perfectly, there's no such thing as perfect, but to your own satisfaction. You are worthy. You are valued. Be your own best friend, your own warrior. Always stay on your own side. My best wishes for you. 💖
Load More Replies...Oh god I can so relate to this post and these pics. Unfortunately I'm stuck in the "before" state st present because my Depression is do severe that I can't do anything let alone eat or clean or any of the routine maintenance tasks because they Judy seem futile. I've been accused of being a "hoarder" by ignorant people in the past - even though my psychiatrist describes the abandonment of basic household maintenance, etc., as symptomatic of "garden variety (ie., common) Depression", especially Major Depression, from which I have suffered my entire life, complicated further by complex PTSD and a plethora of physical illnesses.
Bless you. I can certainly relate. My depression is much better now than it was in the past. I'm fortunate enough to be managing it through counseling and medication. Sending ❤
Load More Replies...You are very brave for sharing what you are ashamed of. Thank you.
I didn't realize my neighbor "X" dealt with depression until her boyfriend moved out, leaving her and her son. When things became messy, she was so overwhelmed, she didn't know how or where to begin. I first heard her wailing and thrashing around when she had to find a prescription that had been swallowed into the mess. Ironically, it was medication for her depression. I went over and we sifted and sifted until the prescription was found, then sifted some more until the major part of the mess was moved out. I bought three small garden garbage cans and bags, put one in each room, then helped her to reduce the immense amount of "inventory" that fell into clutter. She had a lot of difficulty with mail, so I got a stapler and put it on a cord tied to the leg of her dining room. This way she could open mail, move the most important page to the top, and staple everything together. We got four large stacking bins and labeled them DO NOW, DO SOON, FILE, TRASH, and ???.
You are an angel. That was just what she needed: a friend.
Load More Replies...I think it's brave that these people risk judgement for the sake of showing a facet of depression (or anxiety) that nobody really knows about. People with depression can go on about how they feel all day and will get some understanding but when there's a physical result, such as sickness, no motivation to clean or take care of oneself, people are automatically disgusted and believe the sufferer to be a pig/slob/lazy. The reality is that this is one of the ways mental illness manifests itself and its worse that the sufferers feel ashamed and guilty already, but will receive judgement none the less. There are differences between a generally untidy or lazy person, one difference being that people with depression actually keep some things organised, things that they need to cope, for example the guy with the tiny room in #1 still kept his desk and laptop clear, the one with the dolls on the shelf were still intact, as well as the one with the piano etc
so much respect for these people for actually making the changes and sharing them with us! Inspired me to clean my apartment!
i'm still stuck in the before picture due to my severe anxiety disorder with depressive episodes. how do i get to the after without a self help book?
it's the little things really.. one day i organized my books, another i did my clothes.. if you do too much i can happen that you don't see a start or an end.. clothes for example: one day, put them in the washing machine and hang them up (one maschine at the time, )the other day organze one half of your closet ... maybe ask a friend to help you.. take breaks and make babysteps..maybe make a list with many diferent steps: e.g: kitchen: wash dishes - dry dishes - put away - clean countertop... this way you see the progress better and feel good about checking many boxes :) ... i once tried to clean my whole room and was exhasuted really quick. my friend that helped me, told me to stop and continue on the next day because i tried to do too much and didn't see any progress anymore... :) i wish you the best of luck
Load More Replies...I feel this in so many levels. I don't think anyone else than people like us understand where is this mess comming from. I got better, my room is way cleaner than before... only when I'm super busy or I have a lot of emotional charge I go back to that. but everytime is easier to clean up!
Maybe if you can't get out of the mess, hire cleaning help? I'm sure you still feel better afterwards even if it wasn't you who cleaned.
I think it would be an excellent gift, for someone to do that for a friend who is suffering from depression.
Load More Replies...These pics depress me. It's not just my bedroom, it's my whole place. I look at it, and I get overwhelmed at how much needs to be done, I can't bring myself to even begin. I wasn't always like this--I used to keep a totally tidy place when I was married and raising my daughter. But assorted hardcore life events pretty much sent me into "I just don't care anymore" mode. I hate that I can't take care of my place, but I can't seem to care enough to make a start.
I suffer from depression and although I try my best to keep it tidy, if it starts to get bad my dad tidys it for me. He doesn't say he's doing it, I just sometimes come home to a tidy room
I've considered doing something like this. I have alot of stuff, and my house needs such a deep clean I feel so overwhelmed & embarrassed. I feel defeated so easily in regard to my struggles, and its very easy for me to feel like I should just sleep instead and avoid. It's such a fight to wake up & make an effort. My house is still a wreck, but I have kept up with the laundry & dishes for almost two months now, which is a great start. I used to let the laundry pile up until I had none left, I would even buy new underwear instead of doing laundry sometimes. And the first time I finished all of my laundry, I had so much I can't even fit it all in my dresser. These do help me though, they inspire me to keep trying. Little by little.
It's especially difficult if there are other household members, and you are the only one doing any cleaning. It overwhelms you and you get angry and resentful. This is even more difficult for someone with depression.
Load More Replies...I suffer from severe depression just as a caprice. In fact, I have huge physical and material problems - diabetes, pancreatitis, possible cancer, 1000 euros left after whuch I will kill myself, all my "friends" and "family"were proven hostile informers and a liquidation operation is going on against me with things like 5 different apartments occupied by people who permanently watch my every move. I did more than any other human (not to say more) to save this world and now the world graciously ignores me, fully licks the asses of my killers and plays indignation and revolt every time I ask for my right to life. And still my room looks a bit better. On the other hand I couldn't do more even if I would gather all my energies, because in the same time they stopped my water and any effort, even more going outside, is a true adventure. I forgot to tell that some of the jerks I helped also make fun of me while I die.
It's also hard to do other things like take a shower, get changed......But I learned to push myself and always feel better after I do. It's hard to do something, when all day you are like living dead. Constantly tired.....
Most ackward side of it, amongst nobody likes to clean, is that depression or post traumas, often blinds you out and the most dangerous thing isn't you don't like to keep clean, but that you're blocked even from ask for help. We all saw realities of compulsive accumulators on tv, right ? Well, it takes 2 minutes to call for domestic help, only if you aren't there to make that phone call, even to a friend to tell him to call a maid, things will get unaffordable if not for a specialized team, in a matter of couple of weeks, and that's the dangerous part, to me, if not arriving to those extreme conseguences, just to start and do that big work you need now because you didn't make any little.
This is soooooo familiar. But everyone just says I'm a pack rat. Totally not helping. Once it gets that way, it's so hard to start. You want it all gone at once, but you can't find where you should start. Or you start and see no progress, so you stop. It's exhausting looking at it, but it's exhausting cleaning it too.
I suffer from PTSD from a teenage incident. My apartment is sort of between a depression nest and clean and neat. I try to do one thing every day to keep it up. Sometimes the depression just gets too bad to do anything. It never lasts more than a few days, but during that time, I definitely turn my bedroom in to a nest. Depression over, I start again.
I just thought my daughter was a pig. She does suffer from social anxiety and depression. Didn't think of the connection
House looks a bit like this. WIP. Just dumped the whole closet's contents onto the floor ala Marie Kondo. 3 weeks. 1/2 done. So much washing to get the stained clothes clean again. Step by step.
I can relate to everyone that has posted. I find that I can not think in a cluttered space. The more organized the better I seem to get. I was not always this way. My depression, anxiety and PTSD had made it challenging. I start with making my bed. Because even if I do nothing else at the end of the day I get into a nicely made bed and last thoughts are tomorrow is a new day. So proud of each and everyone who had the courage to share and not keep it secret and in the dark.
I’ve suffered from depression sense I was 5 and when I was 11-12 I started to try and kill myself every other week in total I tried about 30 times and I never left my room so it got messy but I am finally beating my depression one step at a time first off getting motivated to clean my room👍🏻👍🏻 Next step see a therapist and go on some medication I think what caused my depression was all the bullying I went thru especially sense people would mess with me and embarrass me it was so messed up especially after having your parents yell at you everyday😭😢😢😢
I know this is very odd -- but my home was as neat as a pin when I was depressed. It gets rather messy (but not dirty) when I'm feeling well. WTF?
Nope, sorry...I have suffered from clinical depression since I was 15 (I'm now 41). I take two high dose anti-depressants to function and my room as never looked that bad. It is overwhelming, exhausting and incredibly difficult to keep everything organized and tidy and my room is far from spotless but actual garbage on the floor is NOT because of depression. This a very poor representation of depression.
It's interesting to me because I had depression for about 6 years but it never affected me in this way. Maybe it's just always been my nature to be tidy but I can't remember any time when my room was messy.
They aren’t “showing off their depression” they are showing that things can get better. And you seem like the type of person that mental illnesses don’t exist.
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