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A swipe of liner. A wash of lipstick. A flick of mascara. For some, makeup is just makeup. But for others, it can be a powerful form of self-care and self-expression that increases confidence and supports a healthy sense of self. Especially at times when that sense of self feels fragile and elusive, as is often the case with depression.

Depression has a way of numbing our senses and emotions. On days when things feel too hard or overwhelming, the sensory act of putting on makeup can offer a brief respite by grounding us in the present moment and disrupting the negative feedback loop. 

A makeup routine shouldn’t be considered a replacement for professional treatment. That said, it may help promote mindfulness and positively impact our emotional and social well-being.

1. Offers a Sense of Control

Depression and anxiety often come with a feeling of helplessness. Engaging in a structured, predictable ritual, like a makeup routine, offers a sense of stability when life feels chaotic, says Stephanie Boucher, MC, RP, a registered psychotherapist specializing in depression, anxiety, and trauma. 

It also provides a sense of agency by offering a small but tangible way to regain control of your day, adds Dr. Mikki Lee Elembaby, a Manhattan-based clinical psychologist.

2. Can Boost Self-Esteem

Self-care routines like this “put us back in touch with our desire to look good and feel good,” says Jillian Amodio, LMSW.

When we tend to our mind and body with deliberate focus, rooted in love and appreciation, it sends a powerful message to the brain: “I matter.” This, in turn, can boost our self-worth and self-esteem, Amodio explains. 

3. Serves as a Form of Creative Expression

“Creativity allows for emotional release without words,” says Boucher. Experimenting with different products, colors, and makeup looks can be a fun and freeing way to shift focus away from intrusive thoughts and express yourself, even if the look never leaves your bathroom mirror, says Amodio. 

4. May Lead to Better Social Interactions

A makeup routine may help you feel more prepared and put together, reducing feelings of self-consciousness in social situations. “This could help make interactions seem less scary and more enjoyable,” says Dr. Elembaby.

According to Amodio, it could also serve as an icebreaker or a common ground to connect with others given the popularity of makeup trends, making it easier to engage in conversations despite the low motivation or social anxiety that often accompanies depression. 

5. Can Boost Your Mood

Depression is viewed as a state in which you have an overly critical view of yourself, the world, and the future. This is why “living in the present moment is really hard when you feel depressed. Having a positive outlook may be even harder,” says Celeste Simmons, PhD, a San Diego-based psychologist.

A makeup routine can help with both by acting as a form of ‘behavioral activation.’ Behavioral activation is a psychological approach of engaging in something meaningful and pleasurable to improve mood, even if your motivation is low, Dr. Simmons explains. 

“In college, my sorority used to say, ‘Take the extra five,’ as a reminder to put just five extra minutes into personal grooming before stepping out so we could present a refined image on behalf of the org,” shares Channing Muller, a 39-year-old business owner and run coach from Chicago. “Nearly 20 years since I first heard this phrase, I still tell myself ‘take the extra five’ on days where I feel particularly rushed and a bit frazzled.

6. May Promote Mindfulness

“In therapy, mindfulness is used in treating most mental illnesses, including depression and anxiety,” says Morgan DeLeo, a New York therapist specializing in depression, anxiety, and self-esteem issues. Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present in the moment and becoming more self-aware without judgment. 

“The slow, measured, repetitive steps of applying makeup encourage present-moment awareness,” says Boucher. Focusing on different colors, textures, scents, and sensations can shift the mind away from anxious or depressive thoughts, creating a calming effect, she explains. 

“I consider my makeup routine ‘therapy’ because it allows me to just focus…and quiet my mind from stress and overthinking,” says Shanna Bynes Bradford, a 48-year-old aromatherapist and medical esthetician based in Florida.

7. Can Serve as a Grounding Technique

Grounding is a psychological tool that helps you fire up your senses and focus on something tangible to better manage your thoughts and emotions, explains Dr. Simmons. A makeup routine can help you do just that, she adds.

The sensory experience of putting on makeup can be very tactile and visually appealing, which can stimulate us to be present, notes DeLeo. “It forces your brain to not give as much space to the ‘what ifs’ of intrusive thoughts,” she says.

In addition, the structure, predictability, and sense of control a consistent routine provides act as mental “anchors” that can help us stay present and grounded.

How To Incorporate Makeup Into a Depression Management Plan

Here are four expert-approved ways to use makeup as a self-care practice without feeling overwhelmed:

• Start small: Amodio suggests starting with any one makeup product to ease into the routine. “I’d recommend putting it someplace where it is easily accessible to encourage use,” says DeLeo. 
• Keep it simple: Keep the routine simple and focus on the experience as a whole, suggests Amodio. How did you feel before? How do you feel after? What do the products smell like? Feel like? Consider using hybrid makeup products to streamline the process. Think tinted lip balms with SPF and hydrating makeup multisticks.
• Try habit stacking: Habit stacking is essentially piggybacking a new habit onto an established habit to make it more likely to stick. For example, you could put on your makeup right after you brush your teeth, says DeLeo. 
• Make it relaxing: Amodio suggests pairing your makeup routine with positive affirmations, a mindfulness meditation, or your favorite podcast to make the process even more uplifting. 

Keep in Mind

For those living with depression, a makeup routine can be a powerful yet accessible creative outlet that may improve mood and self-esteem. Whether you like playing with neons or taking the minimalist route, it’s how you feel while wearing it that truly matters. And to that, I raise my beauty blender.

That said, it’s important to note that while makeup can be a valuable self-care tool, it’s not a substitute for professional treatment or therapy. 

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms in girls often include trouble staying organized, drifting off during tasks, or having a hard time remembering instructions. These patterns come across as shyness, forgetfulness, or being lost in thought, which is why they are often dismissed as personality quirks instead of characteristics of ADHD. Many girls also work hard to hide their struggles, internalize stress, and develop anxiety and perfectionism to cope, making their ADHD traits even harder to miss.

Inattentive Symptoms of ADHD in Girls

• Appears withdrawn
• Daydreaming and in a world of her own 
• Difficulty maintaining focus; easily distracted 
• Disorganized and messy (in both appearance and physical space)
• Doesn’t seem motivated or appears not to be trying
• Forgetful 
• Highly sensitive to noise, fabrics, and emotions
• Looks to be making “careless” mistakes
• Often late (poor time management) 
• Problems completing tasks 
• Seems shy
• Shifting focus from one activity to another
• Takes time to process information and directions; seems like she doesn’t hear you

Hyperactive and Impulsive ADHD Symptoms in Girls

• Hyper-talkative (always has lots to say, but is not good at listening)
• Restless and unable to sit still
• Hyperreactivity (exaggerated emotional responses)
• Seems to get easily upset 
• Verbally impulsive; blurts out and interrupts others
• Might often slam her doors shut 
• Cries easily 

When to Talk to a Professional

Girls with ADHD won’t necessarily have all these signs. At the same time, having one or two symptoms does not mean that ADHD is certain.

If your daughter, granddaughter, or another young girl in your life exhibits a few of these traits on a continual basis, a discussion with an experienced professional may be beneficial.

ADHD characteristics may change somewhat as a girl ages. ADHD in teenage girls can have a significant impact on emotional and social well-being. Teen girls may struggle with:

• Social rejection
• Difficulty staying focused in school
• Poor impulse control
• Shyness
• Anxiety
• Poor self-esteem

Girls may internalize their symptoms, mistakenly believing that their struggles are due to character flaws or personality traits rather than as signs of neurodivergence.

Why ADHD Symptoms May Look Different In Girls

ADHD has long been thought of as a condition affecting males. But more women and girls are being diagnosed as our understanding of it deepens. This is due, in part, to learning that ADHD in girls can look different from how it does in boys.

If left undiagnosed, ADHD in girls can result in disadvantages such as:

• A lack of accommodation in the classroom
• Low self-esteem
• Self-blame

It can even affect mental health well into adulthood. Being aware of the different symptoms of ADHD in girls can help you know when it might be time to see a doctor for an evaluation.

How ADHD Is Diagnosed in Girls

It is much easier to think that a child who is physically active and defiant would benefit from an ADHD evaluation more so than a child who seems distant or distracted. But, in girls, ADHD signs and symptoms tend to have a few underlying commonalities.

Compensates for Inattention

For many girls with ADHD, paying attention to the task at hand is their biggest challenge. They can get distracted by external events or drift off into a world of their own. For example, a bird outside a classroom window may take attention away from something more important in their environment, like a teacher announcing the date of an upcoming exam.

To compensate, a girl with ADHD may hyperfocus on something she likes or is good at. She will put forth so much effort and concentration toward that one thing that parents or teachers may dismiss the possibility of ADHD.

Always in Motion

Some girls with ADHD display more of the classic signs of hyperactivity. If a girl is hyperactive, she might be described as a “tomboy” because she likes physical activity and doesn’t seem to enjoy the same things as other girls her age.

ADHD in girls might also show up in less obvious ways that still involve always being in motion. Examples include doodling constantly or always moving around in her chair.

Other behaviors that are related to hyperactivity, such as:

These are sometimes misattributed to personality characteristics rather than ADHD.

Lack of Impulse Control

• A girl with ADHD may have impulsivity and be hyper-talkative.
• She may be verbally impulsive, interrupt others, talk excessively, or change topics repeatedly during conversations.
• She might even blurt out words without thinking about their impact on others.

Girls with ADHD can also be overly sensitive. Some are described as overemotional and easily excitable.

Treatment Options That Can Help Girls With ADHD

A mental health professional can conduct the tests needed to identify whether the girl in your life may have ADHD and get treatment started. Treatment for ADHD in girls can include:

Behavior management techniques

• Organizational strategies
• Medication
• Counseling
• Support
• Accommodations

Simply knowing she has ADHD can relieve a young girl of a huge burden of guilt and shame. It can also free her from the damaging labels of being “spacey,” “unmotivated,” “stupid,” or “lazy.”

A girl with ADHD is none of those things. She simply has ADHD. And strategies can be put in place to make her life a little easier and her future brighter. The first step to making this happen is recognizing the different ADHD symptoms in girls, and now you know what to look for.

Attachment styles are the different patterns of interacting and behaving in relationships based on early interactions with caregivers. Psychologists typically recognize four main attachment styles: secure, ambivalent, avoidant, and disorganized. Each of these attachment styles is marked by patterns that influence how people seek closeness, handle rejection, and interact in romantic relationships during adulthood.

Secure Attachment

As adults, securely attached people:

In relationships, securely attached adults have better interpersonal relationships, higher levels of autonomy, a sense of purpose, and high levels of self-acceptance. Some estimates suggest that 56% of people are secure, 25%, and 19% are ambivalent/anxious.

Ambivalent Attachment

As adults, ambivalently attached people:

• Have a strong fear of abandonment
• Seek closeness and constant reassurance
• Experience lots of relationship anxiety

In relationships, ambivalence causes people to feel reluctant about getting close to others and worry that their partner does not reciprocate their feelings. This leads to frequent breakups marked by extreme distress.

Avoidant Attachment

As adults, people with an avoidant attachment style:

• Have difficulty with intimacy and close relationships.
• Don’t invest much emotion in relationships
• Experience little distress when a relationship ends
• Struggle to share feelings, thoughts, and emotions with partners

In relationships, they often avoid intimacy by using excuses (such as long work hours) or may fantasize about other people during sex. Research has also shown that adults with an avoidant attachment style are more accepting and likely to engage in casual sex.

Disorganized Attachment

As adults, people with a disorganized attachment style:

• Often have a history of early trauma and abuse
• Exhibit a confusing mix of anxious and avoidant behaviors in relationships
• Crave a close connection with a romantic partner
• Struggle to open up and be vulnerable

In relationships, they may seek out a loving relationship and then suddenly push the other person away. They often sabotage their relationships and have a hard time trusting their partners. This style is often associated with unhealthy relationships marked by toxicity, clinginess, poor communication, and even abuse.

What’s Your Attachment Style? Take the Quiz

If you’re unsure about your attachment style, this fast and free quiz can help you identify what your thoughts and behaviors may say about your attachment.

This attachment styles quiz was reviewed by David Susman, PhD.

What Is Attachment?

Attachment is a special emotional relationship that involves an exchange of comfort, care, and pleasure. The roots of research on attachment began with Freud’s theories about love, but another researcher, named John Bowlby, is usually credited as the father of attachment theory.

John Bowlby devoted extensive research to attachment, describing it as a “lasting psychological connectedness between human beings.” Bowlby shared the psychoanalytic view that early childhood experiences are crucial in shaping development and behavior later in life.

In addition to this, Bowlby believed that attachment had an evolutionary component; it aids in survival. He believed that this propensity to make strong emotional bonds with specific individuals was an essential part of human nature.

Characteristics of Attachment

Bowlby believed that there are four distinguishing characteristics of attachment:

• Proximity maintenance: The desire to be near the people we are attached to.
• Safe haven: Returning to the attachment figure for comfort and safety in the face of a fear or threat.
• Secure base: The attachment figure acts as a base of security from which the child can explore the surrounding environment.
• Separation distress: Anxiety that occurs in the absence of the attachment figure.

Factors That Influence Attachment Styles

Bowlby also made three key propositions about attachment theory:

• Consistent care leads to trust: First, he suggested that when children are raised with confidence that their primary caregiver will be available to them, they are less likely to experience fear than those raised without such conviction.
• Early experiences are critical: Secondly, he believed this confidence is forged during a critical development period, infancy, childhood, and adolescence. The expectations formed during that period tend to remain relatively unchanged for the rest of the person’s life.
• Expectations stem from experiences: Finally, he suggested that these expectations that are formed are directly tied to experience. In other words, children develop expectations that their caregivers will be responsive to their needs because, in their experience, their caregivers have been responsive in the past.

Ainsworth’s Strange Situation Assessment

During the 1970s, psychologist Mary Ainsworth further expanded upon Bowlby’s groundbreaking work in her now-famous “Strange Situation” study. The study involved observing children between the ages of 12 to 18 months responding to a situation in which they were briefly left alone and then reunited with their mother.

Based on these observations, Ainsworth concluded that there were three major styles of attachment: secure attachment, ambivalent-insecure attachment, and avoidant-insecure attachment.

Numerous studies have supported Ainsworth’s conclusions and additional research has revealed that these early attachment styles can help predict behaviors later in life.

Attachment Through Life

Before you start blaming relationship problems on your parents, it is important to note that attachment styles formed during early childhood are not necessarily identical to those demonstrated in adult romantic attachments.

Individuals described as ambivalent or avoidant during childhood can develop a secure attachment style as adults, while those with a secure attachment style in childhood may exhibit insecure attachment patterns in adulthood. Basic temperament is also thought to play a partial role in attachment.

So what role might factors such as divorce or parental discord play in forming attachment styles? In one study, researchers found that parental divorce seemed unrelated to attachment style.

However, research in this area indicates that childhood patterns have an important impact on later relationships. The researchers also found varied beliefs about relationships amongst adults with differing attachment styles.

While we cannot say that early attachment styles are identical to adult romantic attachment, research has shown that early attachment styles can help predict behavior patterns in adulthood.

Subsequent research does suggest that parental divorce or abandonment does have an impact on adult children’s attachment styles. Parental divorce or abandonment is linked to more negative feelings about romantic relationships as a higher likelihood of having an anxious and avoidant attachment style.

Understanding Secure Attachment

Children who are securely attached generally become visibly upset when their caregivers leave and are happy when their parents return. When frightened, these children will seek comfort from the parent or caregiver.

Parents of securely attached children tend to play more with their children. Additionally, these parents react more quickly to their children’s needs and are generally more responsive to their children than the parents of insecurely attached children.

Studies have shown that securely attached children are more empathetic during later stages of childhood. These children are also described as less disruptive, less aggressive, and more mature than children with ambivalent or avoidant attachment styles.

While forming a secure attachment with caregivers is normal and expected, as Hazan and Shaver have noted, it doesn’t always happen. Researchers have found a number of different factors that contribute to the development (or lack thereof) of secure attachment, particularly a mother’s responsiveness to her infant’s needs during the first year of a child’s life.

Mothers who respond inconsistently or who interfere with a child’s activities tend to produce infants who explore less, cry more, and are more anxious. Mothers who consistently reject or ignore their infant’s needs tend to produce children who try to avoid contact.

Understanding Ambivalent Attachment

Children who are ambivalently attached tend to be extremely suspicious of strangers. These children display considerable distress when separated from a parent or caregiver but do not seem reassured or comforted by the parent’s return.

In some cases, the child might passively reject the parent by refusing comfort or may openly display direct aggression toward the parent.

In a review of ambivalent attachment literature, Cassidy and Berlin also found that observational research consistently links ambivalent insecure attachment to low maternal availability. As these children grow older, teachers often describe them as clingy and over-dependent.

Understanding Avoidant Attachment

Children with avoidant attachment styles tend to avoid parents and caregivers. This avoidance often becomes especially pronounced after a period of absence.

These children might not reject attention from a parent, but neither do they seek out comfort or contact. Children with an avoidant attachment show no preference between a parent and a complete stranger.

Understanding Disorganized Attachment

Children with a disorganized-insecure attachment style show a lack of clear attachment behavior. Their actions and responses to caregivers are often a mix of behaviors, including avoidance or resistance.

These children are described as displaying dazed behavior, sometimes seeming either confused or apprehensive in the presence of a caregiver.

Researchers suggest that inconsistent behavior on the part of parents might be a contributing factor in this attachment style. Parents who act as figures of both fear and reassurance to a child contribute to a disorganized attachment style.