The Correlation Between Self-Image and Depression
Updated: Oct 6, 2022
There are a lot of women, wives, and mothers who struggle with confidence or self-image issues, but there are also those whose mental health challenges go much deeper than their self-image. Jen of JSeboudoir is a physician assistant specializing in psychiatry and wants to share with you medical information to inform you on the correlations between self-image and depression.
Medical information on depression
In the world of psychiatry and mental health, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR) is is the standard classification of mental disorders used by mental health professionals in the United States. A variety of mental health professionals utilize the DSM-5: psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, social workers, and licensed professional counselors most commonly use this resource. Medical doctors and nurses also use the DSM-5, as they often meet with patients who have mental disorders.
What does this mean for you?
People with low self-esteem can struggle with depression. Conversely, people experiencing increased symptoms of depression may find that thoughts of their self-image decrease. It can be caused internally, or externally by situations or events in life. For example, big life transitions, trauma, loss of a loved one can trigger symptoms of depression. It can easily become an endless cycle if left unchecked. Moreover, it is important as a loved one of someone who has depression to refrain from telling that person to "cheer up" or "snap out of it". Due to the nature of depression, it can cause low-self esteem and can affect your ability to do the tasks required of you (in the home, at work, at school).
Jason of JSeboudoir's personal experience:
I experience the whole gamut of emotions (I am an INFP-T and a Type 4w3 on the Enneagram). Long story short, this means is I can be joyful one moment and incredibly irritable or sad the next! If you've watched the movie Inside Out, the mood swings are my daily reality and had I not had Jen's help to increase my self awareness, I would not be at this place to have created a daily structure to support our goals and equip me to tackle life's daily challenges. I want to share with you my daily routine below.
What I've done to help curb my own symptoms - I make sure these 5 bases are covered DAILY:
Have I prayed & meditated today? (I do my best to pray throughout the day, a natural rhythm of my life as a follower of Jesus)
Have I eaten well? Am I missing meals? (I try to eat/snack every 2 hours!)
How much water have I consumed today? (Set a 15min timer on my watch to drink water)
Have I exercised and gotten sunlight today? (Exercise every day & take a walk outside)
How did I sleep? Did I get enough hours? (Parents, yes, this is a tough one!)
More often than not, if I don't take care of these "5 Points of Victory", I find that my performance through the day is lessened. On an extreme note - if I try to pound espresso or several cups of coffee and don't eat, I am confident in telling you that I'd have a great sprint of high performance for 1 hour or so, followed by a terrible crash. I'm left like a high performance car with an empty gas tank - not much use to anyone! It's not a spring, I have to remind myself! It's like a marathon through the day, and I have to be able to sustain myself. Another example: find that my sleep was lessened, I know to make an extra effort to make sure all other 4 points are met in order to minimize my symptoms of depression and low self-esteem.
For you, you may cover all these bases but find that you still need more support. At that point, seeking professional help is definitely something to consider in some situations. Just know that the you can escape the cycle.
I hope this helps you! What have you done for your self-care? Have you considered a therapeutic photography session to boost your self-image? I would love to chat with you! Give me a call directly at 657-224-0126. You can also email me at jason@jseboudoir.com. I can't wait to hear from you!
Jason
Follow Jason on Instagram: @jseboudoir
Source:
https://psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm
https://psychcentral.com/depression/is-low-self-esteem-making-you-vulnerable-to-depression
https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/issues/self-esteem
https://www.psycom.net/depression/major-depressive-disorder/dsm-5-depression-criteria
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32680408/
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