Depression and disorder: when the physical space is a reflection of the mental state

Frequently, the media informs us of studies and analyzes that are most striking. There is no shortage of those who link disorder with intelligence. Living in a scenario dominated by chaos, the accumulation of objects and summum of environmental anarchy is for many a trait of creativity. Now, this idea can cause us to make important mistakes.

Desks full of papers, closets with clothes to hang or corners inhabited by endless towers of books often reflect an order within the chaos that only one understands and that, of course, does not bother its owner.

Now, there are many people who are aware of the disorder in their home and feel bad about this situation because they do not have the courage to address it. Procrastination or putting off tidying and cleaning tasks at home is also a sign of depressive disorders.. For this reason, the classic metaphor is often used that physical spaces are usually a reflection of the person’s mental state.

When we feel that many things are beyond our control, we stop being able to control those that are within our reach.

Depression and disorder, a frequent link

Have you ever felt so down and discouraged that cleaning and organizing seemed like a task that required energy you didn’t have? This is a common feeling that we have all felt at some point. The problem comes when this perception extends over time and weeks or even months can pass without us organizing a single out-of-place object.

Likewise, those who think that the sight of a neglected home does not matter to its owner are mistaken. Because many times that vision does nothing but fuel suffering. “I can’t find the courage to clean the house, but seeing it messy makes me very anxious.”. This vicious circle can make the person choose, for example, to spend as much time as possible outside the home.

There are those who are accustomed to living in scenarios defined by inattention and anarchy. However, when someone defines themselves as organized and, little by little, they see how the dirty dishes accumulate in the sink and the living room is like a second-hand clothing sale, something happens inside their mind.

When discouragement makes us neglect basic tasks

Sometimes, we feel like binging a Netflix series more than running a washing machine. Sometimes we find ourselves so exhausted that we can’t get out of bed to shower, get dressed, and start the day. There are times when everything weighs too much and the hopelessness is so immense that every task, no matter how basic, seems insubstantial to us.

Depression and disorder have a direct link because we are facing a mental condition that extinguishes motivation and consumes all energy, the physical and the mental ones. A neglected house can be explained by many factors, but something we cannot neglect is mental health.

An example of this are those scenarios dominated by countless useless or garbage objects, which hide an accumulation disorder or Diogenes syndrome. A home is the reflection of whoever lives in it and there are always clear clues to the psychological universe of people.

In the case of depression, the factors that determine inattention at home are fatigue and anhedonia.. A study from the University of Cambridge highlights something important. Many of the people who come to primary care complaining of persistent fatigue show latent depression. This prevents them from taking care of responsibilities as basic as their own home.

When is disorder a sign of depression?

Not all disordered people show a depressive disorder. As Sigmund Freud once said, “Don’t clean up my mess, I know exactly where everything is.” There are a series of particular characteristics that differentiate some individuals from others to make us suspect the existence of a mood disorder.

Depression and disorder show a relationship when we appreciate a progressive change in a person’s lifestyle habits. If someone who is usually concerned about cleanliness and order neglects these aspects, it is already a cause for concern. Those who show depression experience a progressive lack of interest in tasks that previously motivated them. Their only need is to disconnect and not think. This leads to progressive self-isolation. It is also common for basic aspects such as one’s own hygiene to be neglected. Any task overwhelms them, they feel like a mountain and they are almost incapable of starting activities that were previously basic, such as cleaning the home.

Depression can make you feel like you don’t have time to clean or even that you don’t deserve to be on a clean stage.. In some cases, the situation may arise in which the person is not even aware of the extent to which the disorder in their home has reached…

Perceiving that it is becoming increasingly difficult for us to maintain order at home and even our hygiene is a reason to consult with a professional.

What can we do to maintain order when we suffer from depression?

Depression completely blurs the person we are. It makes us captive to helplessness and hopelessness, everything seems to escape our control and such basic things as household chores cease to be important. It’s not that we don’t want to clean and organize the house, it’s just that it’s impossible for us.

The inability to take charge of our lives and the most basic tasks is already a reason to request professional help. Psychological therapy is the best way to address this link between depression and disorder. Likewise, the following keys can help you when it comes to keeping your house in good condition:

Start with simple tasks. Don’t set goals you can’t meet. The ideal is to start with very simple goals, in fact, just get up and make your bed. With washing the breakfast dishes. By organizing a single room in the house.Appreciate your small achievements. A bed made, a washing machine on, taking a shower and getting dressed… Believe it or not, they are great achievements, so appreciate them. Feel proud.Lean on your environment. It is evident that one cannot do everything alone when one is undergoing treatment for depression. The support of our people is essential, so allow them to share your tasks with you.

Before concluding, it is essential to remember a simple aspect. If right now you are looking at the mess in your house or room and that image overwhelms you, know that you are not alone. Ask for help and don’t hesitate to start facing that scenario. You will realize that as soon as you start to organize that space, you will feel more activated and little by little, that chaos will lose presence.

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