Depression and messy room
SAMHSA’s National Helpline | SAMHSA
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SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
Also visit the online treatment locator.
SAMHSA’s National Helpline, 1-800-662-HELP (4357) (also known as the Treatment Referral Routing Service), or TTY: 1-800-487-4889 is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations.
Also visit the online treatment locator, or send your zip code via text message: 435748 (HELP4U) to find help near you. Read more about the HELP4U text messaging service.
The service is open 24/7, 365 days a year.
English and Spanish are available if you select the option to speak with a national representative. Currently, the 435748 (HELP4U) text messaging service is only available in English.
In 2020, the Helpline received 833,598 calls. This is a 27 percent increase from 2019, when the Helpline received a total of 656,953 calls for the year.
The referral service is free of charge. If you have no insurance or are underinsured, we will refer you to your state office, which is responsible for state-funded treatment programs. In addition, we can often refer you to facilities that charge on a sliding fee scale or accept Medicare or Medicaid. If you have health insurance, you are encouraged to contact your insurer for a list of participating health care providers and facilities.
The service is confidential. We will not ask you for any personal information. We may ask for your zip code or other pertinent geographic information in order to track calls being routed to other offices or to accurately identify the local resources appropriate to your needs.
No, we do not provide counseling. Trained information specialists answer calls, transfer callers to state services or other appropriate intake centers in their states, and connect them with local assistance and support.
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Suggested Resources
What Is Substance Abuse Treatment? A Booklet for Families
Created for family members of people with alcohol abuse or drug abuse problems. Answers questions about substance abuse, its symptoms, different types of treatment, and recovery. Addresses concerns of children of parents with substance use/abuse problems.It's Not Your Fault (NACoA) (PDF | 12 KB)
Assures teens with parents who abuse alcohol or drugs that, "It's not your fault!" and that they are not alone. Encourages teens to seek emotional support from other adults, school counselors, and youth support groups such as Alateen, and provides a resource list.After an Attempt: A Guide for Taking Care of Your Family Member After Treatment in the Emergency Department
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Explores the role of family therapy in recovery from mental illness or substance abuse. Explains how family therapy sessions are run and who conducts them, describes a typical session, and provides information on its effectiveness in recovery.For additional resources, please visit the SAMHSA Store.
Last Updated: 08/30/2022
Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs
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Misusing alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs can have both immediate and long-term health effects.The misuse and abuse of alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs, and prescription medications affect the health and well-being of millions of Americans. SAMHSA’s 2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health reports that approximately 19.3 million people aged 18 or older had a substance use disorder in the past year.
Alcohol
Data:
- In 2020, 50.0% of people aged 12 or older (or 138.5 million people) used alcohol in the past month (i.e., current alcohol users) (2020 NSDUH)
- Among the 138.5 million people who were current alcohol users, 61. 6 million people (or 44.4%) were classified as binge drinkers and 17.7 million people (28.8% of current binge drinkers and 12.8% of current alcohol users) were classified as heavy drinkers (2020 NSDUH)
- The percentage of people who were past month binge alcohol users was highest among young adults aged 18 to 25 (31.4%) compared with 22.9% of adults aged 26 or older and 4.1% of adolescents aged 12 to 17 (2020 NSDUH)
- The 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health reports that 139.7 million Americans age 12 or older were past month alcohol users, 65.8 million people were binge drinkers in the past month, and 16 million were heavy drinkers in the past month
- About 2.3 million adolescents aged 12 to 17 in 2019 drank alcohol in the past month, and 1.2 million of these adolescents binge drank in that period (2019 NSDUH)
- Approximately 14.5 million people age 12 or older had an alcohol use disorder (2019 NSDUH)
- Excessive alcohol use can increase a person’s risk of stroke, liver cirrhosis, alcoholic hepatitis, cancer, and other serious health conditions
- Excessive alcohol use can also lead to risk-taking behavior, including driving while impaired. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 29 people in the United States die in motor vehicle crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver daily
Programs/Initiatives:
- STOP Underage Drinking interagency portal - Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking
- Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking
- Talk. They Hear You.
- Underage Drinking: Myths vs. Facts
- Talking with your College-Bound Young Adult About Alcohol
Relevant links:
- National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors
- Department of Transportation Office of Drug & Alcohol Policy & Compliance
- Alcohol Policy Information Systems Database (APIS)
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Tobacco
Data:
- In 2020, 20.7% of people aged 12 or older (or 57. 3 million people) used nicotine products (i.e., used tobacco products or vaped nicotine) in the past month (2020 NSDUH)
- Among past month users of nicotine products, nearly two thirds of adolescents aged 12 to 17 (63.1%) vaped nicotine but did not use tobacco products. In contrast, 88.9% of past month nicotine product users aged 26 or older used only tobacco products (2020 NSDUH)
- Data from the 2019 NSDUH reports that 58.1 million people were current (i.e., past month) tobacco users. Specifically, 45.9 million people aged 12 or older in 2019 were past month cigarette smokers (2019 NSDUH)
- Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death, often leading to lung cancer, respiratory disorders, heart disease, stroke, and other serious illnesses. The CDC reports that cigarette smoking causes more than 480,000 deaths each year in the United States
- The CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health reports that more than 16 million Americans are living with a disease caused by smoking cigarettes
Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use data:
- Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 2020 National Youth Tobacco Survey. Among both middle and high school students, current use of e-cigarettes declined from 2019 to 2020, reversing previous trends and returning current e-cigarette use to levels similar to those observed in 2018
- E-cigarettes are not safe for youth, young adults, or pregnant women, especially because they contain nicotine and other chemicals
Resources:
- Tips for Teens: Tobacco
- Tips for Teens: E-cigarettes
- Implementing Tobacco Cessation Programs in Substance Use Disorder Treatment Settings
- Synar Amendment Program
Links:
- Truth Initiative
- FDA Center for Tobacco Products
- CDC Office on Smoking and Health
- National Institute on Drug Abuse: Tobacco, Nicotine, and E-Cigarettes
- National Institute on Drug Abuse: E-Cigarettes
Opioids
Data:
- Among people aged 12 or older in 2020, 3.4% (or 9.5 million people) misused opioids in the past year. Among the 9.5 million people who misused opioids in the past year, 9.3 million people misused prescription pain relievers and 902,000 people used heroin (2020 NSDUH)
- An estimated 745,000 people had used heroin in the past year, based on 2019 NSDUH data
- In 2019, there were 10.1 million people age 12 or older who misused opioids in the past year. The vast majority of people misused prescription pain relievers (2019 NSDUH)
- An estimated 1.6 million people aged 12 or older had an opioid use disorder based on 2019 NSDUH data
- Opioid use, specifically injection drug use, is a risk factor for contracting HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C. The CDC reports that people who inject drugs accounted for 9 percent of HIV diagnoses in the United States in 2016
- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Understanding the Epidemic, an average of 128 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose
Resources:
- Medication-Assisted Treatment
- Opioid Overdose Prevention Toolkit
- TIP 63: Medications for Opioid Use Disorder
- Use of Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder in Criminal Justice Settings
- Opioid Use Disorder and Pregnancy
- Clinical Guidance for Treating Pregnant and Parenting Women With Opioid Use Disorder and Their Infants
- The Facts about Buprenorphine for Treatment of Opioid Addiction
- Pregnancy Planning for Women Being Treated for Opioid Use Disorder
- Tips for Teens: Opioids
- Rural Opioid Technical Assistance Grants
- Tribal Opioid Response Grants
- Provider’s Clinical Support System - Medication Assisted Treatment Grant Program
Links:
- National Institute on Drug Abuse: Opioids
- National Institute on Drug Abuse: Heroin
- HHS Prevent Opioid Abuse
- Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America
- Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC) Network
- Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) Network
Marijuana
Data:
- The percentage of people who used marijuana in the past year was highest among young adults aged 18 to 25 (34. 5%) compared with 16.3% of adults aged 26 or older and 10.1% of adolescents aged 12 to 17 (2020 NSDUH)
- 2019 NSDUH data indicates that 48.2 million Americans aged 12 or older, 17.5 percent of the population, used marijuana in the past year
- Approximately 4.8 million people aged 12 or older in 2019 had a marijuana use disorder in the past year (2019 NSDUH)
- Marijuana can impair judgment and distort perception in the short term and can lead to memory impairment in the long term
- Marijuana can have significant health effects on youth and pregnant women.
Resources:
- Know the Risks of Marijuana
- Marijuana and Pregnancy
- Tips for Teens: Marijuana
Relevant links:
- National Institute on Drug Abuse: Marijuana
- Addiction Technology Transfer Centers on Marijuana
- CDC Marijuana and Public Health
Emerging Trends in Substance Misuse:
- Methamphetamine—In 2019, NSDUH data show that approximately 2 million people used methamphetamine in the past year. Approximately 1 million people had a methamphetamine use disorder, which was higher than the percentage in 2016, but similar to the percentages in 2015 and 2018. The National Institute on Drug Abuse Data shows that overdose death rates involving methamphetamine have quadrupled from 2011 to 2017. Frequent meth use is associated with mood disturbances, hallucinations, and paranoia.
- Cocaine—In 2019, NSDUH data show an estimated 5.5 million people aged 12 or older were past users of cocaine, including about 778,000 users of crack. The CDC reports that overdose deaths involving have increased by one-third from 2016 to 2017. In the short term, cocaine use can result in increased blood pressure, restlessness, and irritability. In the long term, severe medical complications of cocaine use include heart attacks, seizures, and abdominal pain.
- Kratom—In 2019, NSDUH data show that about 825,000 people had used Kratom in the past month. Kratom is a tropical plant that grows naturally in Southeast Asia with leaves that can have psychotropic effects by affecting opioid brain receptors. It is currently unregulated and has risk of abuse and dependence. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that health effects of Kratom can include nausea, itching, seizures, and hallucinations.
Resources:
- Tips for Teens: Methamphetamine
- Tips for Teens: Cocaine
- National Institute on Drug Abuse
More SAMHSA publications on substance use prevention and treatment.
Last Updated: 04/27/2022
What an untidy room says about you — News
News Editor 10/01/2019 lifestyle 2,447 views
Have you ever dreamed of living in perfectly clean and organized rooms in a home decor catalog? Or would you rather spend time in a room filled with objects, souvenirs, books, art and items that make up your daily life? nine0009 For some people, a neatly tidy room can be soothing. An orderly retreat in an often chaotic world. For others, such rooms can be sterile, bland, and boring.
Organization is big business these days. Everyone, from books to seminars to organizational systems, seems to want to find a way to perfectly organize every aspect of their lives.
Disorder has long been regarded as something of a character flaw or a sign of laziness. Cleanliness and organization are presented as an ideal - both a sign and a path to success. nine0007
But what about those that are a little dirty or more messy? What does an untidy room say about you? What exactly is behind the dirty room in psychology?
Mental health
Having a dirty room can be the result of many factors. This may mean that you are busy and have little time to clean and organize. This may be a sign that you have too many things. Or it could be the result of small children in the home who usually don't have the motivation to clean up after themselves. nine0007
But if your room is just untidy, does it tell you about your mental health?
In some cases, the state of your room may be related to your mental state. For example, people with OCD may be so preoccupied with keeping things clean that any amount of clutter can become a significant source of anxiety. In other cases, people hoard items to such an extent that they cannot part with even the most trivial items. Their homes are filled with useless items over the years, from old newspapers to plastic containers. nine0007
Mess can be normal
Are you used to clutter?
Some people simply don't prioritize keeping everything clean and organized and in its place.
In this case, disorder is just the normal state of things. If the house is cluttered and you're fine, then it's probably more of a sign of your personality and preferences.
Mess out of feeling overwhelmed
Does clutter bother you?
If you are frustrated, angry, or overwhelmed by the mess, then this is a clear sign that something needs to be addressed.
Clutter can sometimes be frustrating, but figuring out where to start and how to fix a problem can feel overwhelming.
This could mean eliminating things, learning new organizational tactics, or getting other family members involved in cleaning.
Clutter as a sign of depression
Is an untidy room something new and unusual? If you tend to be tidy and organized, the sudden lack of care in a messy room could be a sign that something is going wrong in your life. For example, confusion can sometimes be a sign of depression. nine0007
Depressed people often feel too tired or hopeless to keep up with routine household chores.
Depression can also make it difficult to focus and energy to clean the room.
If you suspect that your messy room may be a sign of problems in your life or the result of depression, don't be afraid to reach out. Talk to your doctor about what's going on, or consult with a mental health professional for specific advice for your situation. A counselor, therapist, or doctor can help you get to the bottom of what's going on and help you develop an action plan to deal with the problem. nine0007
Personality
So what distinguishes neat people from unscrupulous people?
While some may suggest that a cluttered room is a sign of a cluttered mind, those who prefer this type of environment are not necessarily disorganized. Their desks may look like a mess, littered with papers, envelopes, and files. However, they always seem to know exactly where each item is when they need it. The famous psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud once said, “Don't clean up the mess. I know exactly where everything is.” nine0007
In fact, some people seem to thrive in such an environment. Some of the most creative and productive people seem to be incurable sloths.
If you tend to be more relaxed in your approach to housekeeping and cleaning, this may mean that you have more of a Type B personality. People with this personality type are more relaxed than their Type A counterparts. Instead of focusing on achieve excellence, they are more attracted to ideas, experience and creativity. nine0007
Benefits of disorder
And there are studies that support the idea that disorder also has its benefits. Researchers have found that by working in a tidy environment, encouraging behaviors such as generosity and healthy eating, working in a messy environment actually leads to more creativity.
Increasing generosity
In the study, participants were asked to complete questionnaires in a room. For some participants the room was very clean and organized. As for the other subjects, they filled out the questionnaire in a very messy, unorganized space. nine0007
As they left the room, participants were presented with several options. They were first asked if they wanted to donate money to charity. Then they were offered a snack: either an apple or a chocolate bar. Those who took the survey in a tidy room were more likely to donate more of their money to charity. They were also more likely to choose an apple over a chocolate bar.
Increased creativity
Researchers believe that doing work in a clean and tidy environment activates social norms that encourage people to do what is expected of them. Working in a dirty space, on the other hand, relaxes the needy and allows people to break out of social norms and expectations. nine0007
In a separate experiment, participants were again placed in clean or dirty rooms and then asked to complete a task that included finding new uses for ping-pong balls. Unbiased judges rated the participants in the messy room state as coming up with more creative and innovative ideas than those in the clean room.
Such insights can have implications for the design of workspaces, especially for professions that require a lot of innovation and creativity. Employers may be encouraged to allow their employees to design and build workplaces that are more personal, even if that means they may be less tidy. nine0009 Obviously, as the researchers explain, this does not necessarily mean that everyone exposed to a dirty environment will become more creative. Some people tend to work better in highly organized spaces, while others work better in less organized environments. Personality and preferences are what play an important role in such situations.
For example, forcing a person who prefers a neat place to work in a messy environment can actually lead to less creativity and less productivity. And jobs that focus on efficiency and quick decision making might be better suited to tidy workspaces, while those that rely on creativity might be better suited to less tidy spaces. nine0007
So while order may be the most desirable quality, research has also shown that disorder has some benefits. If you tend to have a messy room, here are some possible benefits backed by psychology research.
One study showed that people in a messy room were able to solve puzzles faster than those in an organized room. Scientist Albert Einstein, known for his genius and creative thinking, was famous for having a messy desk. “If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, then what should we think of an empty desk?” he once asked in response to comments on his workspace. nine0007
The results show that people in neat and tidy environments are more likely to stick with the classics and the usual, common options, while people in messy environments are more likely to prefer novelty.
While minimalism can be trendy, it can also crush your creativity. If keeping your desk or room clean is more stressful for you than the clutter itself, try to relax a bit, live with the clutter and see if that helps you unleash your creativity. nine0007
Disadvantages of disorder
Of course, habitual disorder also has its drawbacks. An untidy room can make it difficult to find things when they are needed, and in a professional setting, this can result in missed deadlines or the loss of important documents.
But there are other possible disadvantages.
Vohs and her colleagues found that people who spent time in a dirty room were less likely to donate money to charity. Eighty-two percent of participants who spent time in a well-organized room were willing to donate their own money to charity, and only 47 percent of people who spent time in an untidy room were willing to give money. nine0007
Previous research has shown that people who are exposed to a disordered environment are more likely to commit crimes. This does not necessarily mean that clean people are more moral than sloppy people. It seems to just mean that you are in an orderly environment and you must follow the rules. This, of course, can have its pros and cons. However, in situations where it is important to follow orders, it would be useful to maintain order.
In the study mentioned earlier, researchers found that participants who were in an organized room were more likely to make good health choices. Instead of choosing a chocolate bar, they chose an apple. These results show that if you're trying to improve your health, you can start by cleaning and organizing your space. nine0007
Both order and disorder are found in abundance in nature and in our own environment. Sometimes people tend to be unkempt in one setting and neater in another. As studies on this topic show, each state has both its advantages and disadvantages. To determine what a messy room might say about you, start by looking at why the room tends to be messy, including your own habits, preferences, and state of mind. nine0007
If you work well in an untidy room, don't let "norms" force you into a more organized or minimalistic lifestyle. However, if the disorder is causing something that makes you stressed, or if you suspect it may be a symptom of an underlying psychological issue, consider steps you can take to address the issue. This may include evaluating your habits, getting other people to help, or talking to a doctor or therapist about your concerns. nine0007
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Depressed people showed their rooms before and after the cure
Depressed people showed their rooms before and after the cure- Entertainment
- Society
- Health
9 0 nine0135 27154
- May 28, 2019 19:47
- Anna Lavrova, journalist for Reedus, Entertainment section
1.
“Before and after a depressive stroke” (top photo)I was too depressed for five years to clean up until I started taking medication. I'm proud of myself. nine0151Mental health plays an important role in a person's life, along with physical health. Depression can take many forms and is often misunderstood and all symptoms are socially attributed to sadness or laziness. In fact, depression can be so debilitating that even something as simple as cleaning a room becomes unbearable. People suffering from depression for a long time showed what their rooms looked like during the illness and after the cure. And with this striking difference, they wanted to support other patients who are desperately battling depressive moods. After all, this formidable disease is still underestimated. nine0007
2. "I'm embarrassed to show these pictures"
And there's still a lot to do, but damn it, I'm so proud of this progress! Cleaning took me a week. I set a goal for myself to take out one bag of garbage and collect at least 10 things daily. Even if not at a marathon pace, but I did it.3. “My very overdue cleaning”
I was feeling a depressive spiral, I needed a spring cleanse.4. "Today was a good day, although I did not have fun, but I did the necessary"
The top photo is what happens when your days overlap and you keep throwing things on the floor out of lethargy and sadness. But one day you decide that enough mess is enough and turn your home into the bottom photo. It's important that this happens.5. “After many years of depression, I finally cleaned my room”
I was diagnosed with severe depression when I was about 12. I will be 19 this year. the presentability of my room, and looking back at these photos, I genuinely feel disgusted with the way I used to live. Two weeks ago, I decided that I would no longer live like this. Since then, I have been cleaning for at least five hours a day. And now I'm happy to say that my room is almost ready. I donated 80% of my belongings, including clothes, old books, old toys, etc. At the moment, I'm still working. My room is completely empty. Even the furniture is gone. My plan is to repaint and make a futon instead of my one and a half year old mattress. When I started, it seemed impossible. And now I'm proud of the work I've done, and I wanted to share it to support people who are going through the same thing. Everything is doable! nine01516. Overcoming depression
Long live the living room.7. "Me: 1 - Depression: 0!"
I suffer from severe depression, and I really have a hard time with cleaning and other household chores. My room was so dirty for months because I couldn't bring myself to take care of it. But this Friday I decided to finally do it! It took me three days, but now I can say "hello" to my Teddy bear on the bed! I know this is not a very big victory, but for me it means that I can open the door if people come to me. I feel so calm right now and just wanted to share with all of you. nine01518. “Three years of my depression”
My room has never been a model of cleanliness, but the state of my environment has only worsened my mental state. I've been coping with my depression for three years. Cleaning is an important step. The frame did not include huge piles of collected laundry, six full garbage bags or four bags of things that went to donations.9. "It was difficult to clear my room of depression"
It took four hours, but finally I cleaned everything. I still have to clear my desk and wash all the bedding (hence only the mattress on the floor), but damn it, I did it. IM proud of myself! nine015110. “Finally removed my depressive nest. Cheers
11. Depression = Mess
Still not perfect, but a good start.12. "Grieving for my mother plunged me into a deep depression"
I decided to thoroughly and deeply cleanse everything for a new start.13. “Before and after 14 hours of cleaning”
I finally got rid of the traces of my three-month depression!14. Clearing my depression
I found a dead mouse (my cat's trophy) and a roach in my room. It was so stuffy in here that I hated the place. I have been suffering from depression and suicidal thoughts since I was 7 years old. By the age of 13, I had developed a huge social anxiety, I experienced daily panic attacks, often passed out, I felt sick, I had insomnia. Then I ended up in a psychiatric hospital several times, where there was terrible food and rude nurses. I recently returned to school. Now I continue to learn and fight ED and depression. I feel like I'm winning. nine015115. “Healing from depression comes step by step!”
16. Before and after. Depression already convulsing”
17. “Cleaned first time in 2 years”
Thoroughly cleaned my room for the first time in two years. I physically feel how much better I feel.18. "Before and after clearing my depressed space"
The lid on the piano is now open.19. “My nest before and after”
For several months I lived in a state of complete indifference. And then I looked down and realized that this mess was destroying my mental health.20. “This is where my depression lived”
I hope cleaning will get me out of this rut 21. “I feel like I can breathe”
Depression causes confusion. Clutter provokes depression. After cleaning, I turned my room into a small oasis. It remains to clean and repaint the walls and replace the broken rug. nine015122. “Finally cleaned my room after depression took a steep dive. I already feel better.”
23. “The Nest of My Depression: Before and After”
I'm super embarrassed, but glad to be in this free space now.24. “Depression hit me a few years ago.”
I am finally taking steps to fight it. It's not perfect, but I got my room back!25. "It's so hard to find the words to describe it"
I have spent the last two years in a state of extreme depression and fatigue after a traumatic event in 2017, in addition to my high school trauma. Besides, I've never been clean. I have a full list of my mental and physical problems (I'll spare you listing them) that make it extremely difficult to organize and even move effectively in space. But… something changed last night. I felt like a light switch clicked in my brain, which had not been for more than 5 years. I am so very proud of myself. My friend helped me clean up and I feel so uplifted. This time I really want to change forever and I'm sure I can. I'm posting this because... I know there are other people who are in the same stupid place as me right now. And they are afraid that someone might see it.
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