My friend has a problem. She seems happy and all, but she kind of lets herself go. For example, from 3-day sleep-overs and one week vacations I have noticed she doesn't shower every week, and she doesn't wash her teeth at all. My other friend said that there's a disorder [similar to depression] that can be like this, but it's usually common with older people.
Is there a website where I can research this and if I can help her or if it's just in my head?
I love her, she's my friend, and I'm worried about her.
P.S. I think she has some kinf of depression, because she gets sad and moody from time to time, but I doubt she's bi-polar.
2006-12-13 11:46:15 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
Correction: I meant to say she doesn't shower every DAY, not every WEEK.
2006-12-13 11:47:07 · update #1
Well, I'm no doctor but I had a friend who had the same problem. She finally went to the doctor and was told that it was an "environmental depression". And what that basically means is that she is reacting to things that are going on in her own environment (life), hence the name.
Nothing in particular has to happen to trigger it. And it's basically a chemical imbalance in the brain. There are 3 chemicals in the brain: norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine. These chemicals are responsible for people's moods. And sometimes they can become imbalanced. The doctor told my friend that it's like she was a train that had jumped the track and needed help to get back on. And the drugs she took helped her get back into life and be happy again. And once she was happy again, she did the things normal people do...like take showers and brush their teeth.
So, since you're such a good friend to her, you might know if there's something that's happened in her life that might have triggered this. And there's no shame in it. It's not like she can help it or asked for it. Be sure to tell her that she's not crazy and that by going to see a therapist or psychiatrist does not mean something is wrong with her. There is a HUGE misconception about anyone who might be taking antidepressants. And the real odd part is that there are statistics to show that quite a lot of people will experience some form of depression at least once in their lives.
If you would like to research this further, you can always google depression. I like to visit www.webmd.com because it explains things in lamens terms for non-medical people. Good luck!
2006-12-13 12:42:23 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah she is lucky to have a friend like you.
But most people are sad and moody from time to time.... i get upset nearly everyday over something i dont think its depression... i just can't cope at the moment with the amount of crap going on. Also when i was young i wouldn't shower everyday (shh dont tell tho) heh, i was lazy, and i can't remember about the brushing of the teeth.
Anyways, everything could be okay, and you might just be stressing for nothing. The best way to find out is just ask her if anything is troubling her.. she might just out and tell you. If you get along with her parents.. ask them.
otherwise there's not much you can do?!
2006-12-13 11:56:22 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There actually lots of depression problem. Your friends could be one of them. if she is not bipolar maybe its other. But the things is, if this things happened suddenly, or i mean just recently that mean there something happened in her life. Did she breakup or something, does she hv a history of substance used or something and even her life history hv to be consider before someone can actualy tell what happened then. I told you what you can do then, try to talk to her first. get as much information as you can only then you decided if she really do hv mental disorders. the other things is try do yourt own research through internet conference or anything. If you really into diagonisis kind of thing try the site that i gave then. Good luck then.
2006-12-13 12:29:57 · answer #3 · answered by apaile 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a bit hard to know from the minimal information you have put here whether your friend is just:
letting herself go
is homesick
or is having one of a variety of mental issues. It is not actually clear that she is depressed at all and the behaviour you describe can be seen in people who are not depressed.
If you think she is depressed perhaps she has:
adjustment disorder (with depressed mood)
dysthymia
cyclothymia
major depressive episode
bipolar affective disorder
seasonal affective disorder
2006-12-13 11:56:50 · answer #4 · answered by Orinoco 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't have an answer for you except that, I know someone on here will steer you to the right website or give you the right advice. I was just thinking, by the wording of your question, that how lucky your friend is to have a friend like you. Bless you dear.
2006-12-13 11:53:28 · answer #5 · answered by soulguy85 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She could have bi-polar. A lot of older people like that have dementia where they actually "forget" to do things like brush their teeth and bath. You should encourage her to see a dr if she thinks this is becoming a problem. You sound like a good friend.
2006-12-13 11:56:04 · answer #6 · answered by First Lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do not self diagnosis.....call a help line or get her into a doctor. This could be bipolar or another form of depression. She needs your support. Be there for her and to listen.
2006-12-13 11:56:02 · answer #7 · answered by igardentoo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your friend sounds like she is suffering from bipolar depression. THis may be temporary or no. I think she should seek professional help
2006-12-13 13:26:26 · answer #8 · answered by deanda 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
dont self diagnose her. go see a proffesional and a doctor. but it's nice to help her.
2006-12-13 12:13:54 · answer #9 · answered by ♥frisco♥ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This might be helpful
http://sensitive-psychoworld.blogspot.com/
2006-12-14 13:15:46 · answer #10 · answered by LIz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋