Hair advice for someone dealing with depression?
Excuse the eldritch abomination of the face.
Right. So. My hair is in... A rough shape to say the least. I've been dealing with depression since I was, well. *Officially* since 12, in reality for significantly longer, it only became a significant enough problem at twelve, meaning 6 years ago (aka COVID and a school change were the final nails in the coffin).
But enough of backstory. Right. Hair history.
I haven't had my hair professionally cut since I was maybe 8, meaning 10 years ago. My fault, kinda. My mother decided I'm leaving the salon with a pixie cut (I had no input or choice) and I hated it and refused to go to a salon again. I only had my hair cut by my mom with her fabric scissors, and even then it was just trims.
I have never ever dyed or bleached my hair. Only products I have ever used was shampoo, conditioner, and things like tea tree oil and flea shampoo in elementary because fleas are essentially endemic to those places.
I do not use heat on my hair, just about ever. No straightening, curling or a hairblower
I was not taught hair care beyond use a shampoo and conditioner, no details except what I read on shampoo bottles in the shower.
Last ~3 weeks I wasn't able to make myself brush or wash my hair at all. I was lucky if I forced myself into the shower at least once a week. It was an oily mess. Last night I was finally able to wash it and let a conditioner sit for maybe 10-15 minutes, results of that in the picture. It was because of a combination of depression working its "magic", and the stress of the year's final project that would greatly affect if I'd pass to the next year. When washing, I was left with a large clump of hair in my hand despite brushing it before the shower. Lost maybe 10 pounds in those three weeks.
I am on antidepressants (brintellix), and antianxiety medications (pragiola), I do not know if those affect hair.
We have hard water in just about everywhere in my country
Shampoo: Pantene Active Nutri-Plex Thick and Strong
Conditioner: Pantene Active Nutri-Plex Thick and Strong
I have admittedly trouble maintaining routines, especially complicated ones, so I'm ideally looking for something simple to start?
I likely have wavy/curly hair because my hair forms loose ringlets if wet
I tend to keep it loose or in a ponytail if I need it out of the way