It can feel hard to keep on top of all our responsibilities. Between work, family obligations, keeping the house clean, and maintaining a social life, self-care can drop down the list of priorities. This is especially the case for single parents, caregivers, people who work long hours, and anyone facing challenges with their physical or mental health.
Self-care and personal hygiene can drop off from time to time, especially during a busy schedule or a change in routine. But if you notice you or someone you care about has stopped bathing or doing laundry, understanding the link between poor hygiene and mental health can help.
Knowing what might be behind hygiene and self-care changes can help you respond in the right way and get extra support if you need it. This article will explore:
There’s a complex relationship between poor hygiene and mental health. Depression often affects motivation, energy, and concentration. This can make basic self-care tasks, like showering, washing your hair, brushing your teeth, or doing the laundry, feel more difficult than they once were.[1][2]
It’s usually not as simple as “not feeling like” taking care of yourself. A shower alone involves several steps, from finding clean clothes to drying off, and each takes energy that depression has drained.
Mental health difficulties can change how a person functions day to day. If signs of a decline in personal hygiene appear alongside symptoms of anxiety or depression, additional support may be needed. These signs include:
People neglecting personal hygiene may still see it as important. But fatigue can leave them without the energy for even basic self-care.
In one Australian study, mental health practitioners described declining hygiene and grooming as common in people with depression they worked with.[3] Another study of university students in Bangladesh found that students at risk of depression were more likely to have poorer hygiene habits.[4]
The association between mental health and hygiene can create a worsening cycle. When someone’s hygiene noticeably declines, they may feel self-conscious about their body odor or appearance. That can make them avoid social plans, dating, or even school and work. As they become increasingly isolated, personal appearance can be neglected even more.
Anxiety can affect personal hygiene, too. Everyone gets anxious from time to time because it’s part of the body’s natural response to stress. Sometimes referred to as “fight or flight,” symptoms like a racing heart, fast-paced breathing, and tremors can all prepare the body to react quickly to danger.
That reaction was useful for our ancestors facing predators. But today, it can kick in before a presentation or a difficult conversation, when there’s no real danger at all.
If anxiety becomes persistent and interferes with day-to-day life, it may be an anxiety disorder. Signs can include:
When it comes to personal hygiene, people with anxiety may find self-care routines overwhelming or hard to begin. Even taking a shower can feel overwhelming when burned out or fatigued. With social anxiety, worrying about being judged can make getting ready to go out feel draining.
Complex conditions like schizophrenia can involve psychosis, which affects how someone perceives reality. It can also cause problems with thinking and planning that make it harder to manage everyday tasks, including self-care and hygiene.[2] In these cases, specialist care from a healthcare provider is important.
It’s important to remember physical health, too. Some medical conditions, such as hypothyroidism, can cause fatigue and depression.[5] Certain medications can also cause side effects like drowsiness, which can make everyday activities, including self-care, harder.[6]
Conditions and injuries that cause chronic pain or limited mobility can also make washing physically hard. If changes in hygiene come with physical symptoms, it’s a good idea to see a doctor to rule out a medical cause.
AMFM is here to help you or your loved one take the next steps towards an improved mental well-being.
A decline in personal hygiene isn’t always caused by mental health difficulties. If someone you know is having trouble with hygiene, try to look at the whole picture before making assumptions. These tips can make it easier to talk to them about it.
Choose a private setting for a calm chat. Start with concrete things you’ve seen, such as “I’ve noticed you seem really tired lately” or “You don’t seem like yourself; is everything okay?” This can open the door to a deeper conversation about what’s going on in their life or with their mental health.
It’s important to be as considerate as possible while you’re working out the situation. That applies whether you’ve noticed signs of self-neglect in yourself or in someone you care about. Conversations around mental health and grooming should always be judgement-free.
If everyday life and responsibilities have become overwhelming, daily tasks might seem impossible. For some people, getting help with the laundry or the washing up may be the most important thing right now. Once they feel like they have more under control, the focus can shift to mental health needs.
It can be overwhelming for someone already facing mental health challenges to be given a multi-step self-care routine. Beginning with one manageable action, such as brushing teeth or taking a shower every day, can be a simple but important first step.
If declining hygiene is linked to mental health challenges, recovery is possible. Start by speaking with your healthcare provider and developing a treatment plan. This may involve therapy, medication, or a combination of both. If self-neglect becomes severe, such as someone not eating or being unable to look after themselves, contact their doctor urgently.
Treatment needs to fit the person, and may involve a combination of therapy, medication, behavioral activation, and other forms of support.
Therapy, sometimes referred to as “psychotherapy” or “talk therapy,” is a safe space for those struggling with mental health difficulties to share their struggles with a qualified professional.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is confirmed by research to be an effective treatment for a wide range of mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression.[7] A principle of CBT is that negative thoughts affect mood and well-being. By reframing negative thoughts and self-talk into more balanced, realistic narratives, the treatment goal is a more positive outlook and better overall well-being.
By tackling negative thinking patterns and improving mental health outcomes, you can also build better self-care habits.
If appropriate, your healthcare provider can help you find the right medication. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) are commonly prescribed for mental health challenges like depression and anxiety.
Serotonin is a chemical that impacts mood. SSRIs work by increasing the amount of serotonin available in the body, and research shows that this can have a positive effect on mood and well-being.[8][9]
Engaging with meaningful activities can do a lot for well-being. A key principle of BA is not to wait for your mood to improve before re-engaging in hobbies. Studies have shown that BA can be an effective treatment for depression.[10]
Spending more time on your personal interests can also help restore lost motivation and self-belief. In turn, positive outcomes for self-care and personal hygiene may follow.
A Mission For Michael (AMFM) provides treatment for adults experiencing various conditions. Depression support is a phone call away – call 866-478-4383 to learn about our current treatment options.
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When mental health is causing behavioral difficulties, it’s not always easy to tend to key parts of life like seeing family and friends, exercising, going to work, or taking care of yourself. If you or someone you care about is feeling overwhelmed, is facing mental health challenges, or is showing a concerning decline in self-care or hygiene, the experienced team at AMFM Mental Health Treatment (A Mission for Michael) is here to help.
A decline in self-care or hygiene in yourself or someone you love could indicate underlying mental health difficulties. A positive next step is to consider talking to a health care or mental health professional. Our team of expert clinicians believes in treatment persistence and will personalize your treatment plan so you can achieve lasting, life-changing outcomes.
We offer an intimate, focused mental health treatment experience for adults in home-like settings that are carefully maintained to be peaceful, comfortable spaces. In addition to residential treatment, AMFM Mental Health Treatment also offers multiple levels of outpatient treatment.
Our locations in California, Minnesota, Virginia, and Washington accept insurance and are in-network with many major providers. To check your insurance coverage for mental health care, simply complete our confidential online verification form.
Call us at 866-478-4383 if you would like to start the admissions process or learn more about how we can support your mental well-being. Our compassionate team is available 24/7 to answer your questions and provide guidance with no obligation.
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At AMFM, we strive to provide the most up-to-date and accurate medical information based on current best practices, evolving information, and our team’s approach to care. Our aim is that our readers can make informed decisions about their healthcare.
Our reviewers are credentialed medical providers specializing and practicing behavioral healthcare. We follow strict guidelines when fact-checking information and only use credible sources when citing statistics and medical information. Look for the medically reviewed badge on our articles for the most up-to-date and accurate information.
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