Personal hygene

[AliceAnne]

I hope no one is offended by this question, but do any of you struggle with showering? My personal hygiene is poor because my depression and anxiety are so thick that I get phobic about showering. I just don't know if I'm alone in that regard. Thanks in advance for any input you may have.

[Hobbitj]

Hi AliceAnne, no your not alone. It is embarrassing but I really struggle to get into a hygiene routine, even brushing my teeth can feel like hard work at times and even though I feel better for washing ect and say to myself I'll do this everyday it never happens, hopefully we'll get to a point where we can look after ourselves better

[AliceAnne in reply to Hobbitj]

Thank you Hobbitj! I appreciate your response! At least I don't feel alone. And I agree, hopefully we get to the point where we can look after ourselves easier and better.

[Ladybug9]

No offense taken at all. I know many people from different support sites that have this issue. They become so stressed and or depressed that they can't even find the energy to shower or bathe. I've heard what you asked many times so it doesn't surprise me that you asked this. I am extremely OCD so the first thing I do is get up and brush my teeth. Like 5 or more times a day!! But showering is only every two or three days. By the way, I was told by a doctor not to shower every day as it dries out the skin. It's better to just do a touch up if you know what I mean. Showers are not necessary every single day. I hope this helps!

[AliceAnne in reply to Ladybug9]

Yes it helps, thank you. I go longer than a week to shower because of how fearful I am of doing so. I'm ashamed to admit it. It's just such a struggle to do. My severe depression and anxiety prevents me. Thanks for listening.

[Ladybug9 in reply to AliceAnne]

Can I ask what you are fearful of? And if you aren't going out anywhere which most of us aren't, who cares? The depression and anxiety will pass at some point and that's when you run for the showers!!! Until then, don't make your depression and anxiety worse by worrying about showering!

[AliceAnne in reply to Ladybug9]

I can't seem to identify what the fear is, it just seems to be an effort that is too hard. I am agoraphobic and rarely leave my home. Thank you for the encouraging words!

[Ladybug9 in reply to AliceAnne]

OMG, I am Agoraphobic also! I have to wear headphones and listen to my MP3 player when walking anywhere. I don't have a car due to finances so I walk uptown, downtown, Dollar Tree, Grocery store, etc... Even up to the hospital or doctors office. I completely understand.

I was almost drowned when I was younger by a bunch of kids jumping on top of me in the pool. Years later I figured out why I panic being underwater in a pool or come upon a big huge lake! I'm fine with the ocean but even that scares me a bit. Something causes all of our fears. It's figuring out what is the hard part.

[AliceAnne in reply to Ladybug9]

I think it's great that you are able to walk to those places! Keep up the good work. Sometimes I'm scared to walk out to my mailbox out on the street. I'm sorry about that experience you suffered almost being downed. It sounds like you're doing a good job at healing yourself.

[Ladybug9 in reply to AliceAnne]

I try my best. My anxiety does go up a lot when being outside and other days I'm fine. I always have my fur baby with me as I use a grocery cart to buy whatever I need. My favorite place to to is the Goodwill or Salvation Army!!

[AliceAnne in reply to Ladybug9]

Fur babies provide a lot of affection, I love my dog.

[Ladybug9 in reply to AliceAnne]

I had my Anny for 16 1/2 years and she passed away just before Christmas two years prior. My family felt losing her was adding to my depression so they dragged me down to the humane society in my pajamas and said, "pick out a new fur baby!" That's when I found Mollyann. I looked at her and said, "if you give me a kiss, I'll bring you home" and she did just that!! She's a Jack Russell and just like the breed is explained, she is full of it! But she loves everyone and everything. Her "boyfriend" as I call him is a huge Lab named Kilo. She gets more attention than I'll ever get!! LOL..She goes everywhere with me. My Psychiatrist gave me a letter to make her an official companion dog so she has a special harness, etc. and is allowed where most dogs aren't. The only place I don't take her is the grocery store. With the acception of Super Walmart.

[AliceAnne in reply to Ladybug9]

Aww, that's great. I'm glad she gives you joy.

[Spooky99 in reply to AliceAnne]

I’m reading all this! I suffered from agoraphobia!!!! I was afraid to get in the shower because I had an attack in the shower! Sometimes I can work myself up and I have to get out of the shower.. suds and all! It’s awful!!!!!! There was a time I couldn’t get my mail!!! Then I turned to booze to sedate me! Now I’ve been on meds and been able to get out and about and I am in AA. Message me if you like. I have some tips! Such as keeping the shower curtain half open etc.

[AliceAnne in reply to Spooky99]

Thank you Spooky, I appreciate your response!

[Ladybug9 in reply to Spooky99]

Hi Spooky. I went years afraid to be in the shower if there was a curtain I couldn't see out of. And it all started with that dang movie years ago, Psycho!!! I finally just bought a clear shower curtain!

[Spooky99 in reply to Ladybug9]

I was agoraphobic and drank myself to death to go places! I can relate

[Hidden]

Hello, this was a big struggle for me. I would to go weeks at a time without showering and hardly brushed my teeth, and hated when I had to finally do it. Anyways, I went to the hospital and told myself that "This is what people that love themselves do", so I'm going to make myself do it also. That was in February and I have only missed like 3 days. Idk if that will help or not.

I also started to work on my "mindfulness" while I was in the shower. I took my time and felt the warm water, smelled the soap, etc, and I knew that I was doing something healthy for myself. Like people that love theirselves do. Sometimes you have to fake it to make it.

[AliceAnne in reply to Hidden]

Thank you deep thinker, those are good suggestions, I appreciate it very much!

[Hidden]

Wet a towel and apply soap on and use on your body - carers wash people like this

[Hidden]

Hey youre not the only one! I struggle with this too.

[AliceAnne in reply to Hidden]

Thank you StressedMess, I appreciate you responding.

[Hidden in reply to AliceAnne]

Of course! I’m here for u 💕

[Hidden]

Hey AliceAnne, this is quite a common issue amongst some anxiety sufferers. When I was at my worst with anxiety I could not bathe or shower, I was so panicked even by the thought of it. I believe I was so over sensitized and I felt vulnerable, it took me a long time to try and get back into the routine of regular showering, I spent months getting by with just a quick strip wash at the sink, it wasn't so much that I couldn't be bothered, it was more that I felt panicked whenever I tried to be in the shower. I slowly over many weeks began taking a few steps at a time, I used to have music or soothing audio books playing in the bathroom etc I found that very helpful, I then started to shower but not my hair, then I started to slowly add a few more minutes onto the time spent in the shower, and so I did this over a period of a few weeks, and very gradually I got to the point where I could shower without too much panic. Just take your time and don't rush yourself or add unnecessary pressure to your already over sensitized body and mind. Xxx hope this helps a little AliceAnne, feel free to message me if you like, I will answer each time I log on xx

[AliceAnne in reply to Hidden]

Thank you very much suzie!

[samnicole]

no worries, you aren’t the only one!

[Lovescats]

Ypu are definetly not alone. I thought maybe I was and hearing these stores is reassuring. I just have no desire to get in the shower or tub some days. I just put my hair up and extra deodorant and say this is just the way it is today

[A_Leiruc]

I would not say that I have felt phobia to bathe but it has happened to me that there are days that I do not want to do anything, not even to get up and much less to bathe, in those moments I do not find the sense to shower, but lately when I feel that I force myself to bathe because I know that it will make me feel a little better.

[jesca18]

Thank you so much for posting this thread. I have been struggling with this lately and I was embarrassed by it. It’s nice to know I’m not alone.

[AliceAnne in reply to jesca18]

You're welcome. It's been an ongoing struggle for me for such a long time I just wanted/felt I needed to share about it. Thank you for responding.

[Cookie101]

I struggle with it too! It's not embarrassing, it's just something that is. It's not as much an issue when I'm working because I'm required to look professional (receptionist) and having a shower before I head to work is ingrained in my morning routine. Take a week off on the other hand!

[Want2BHappy3]

I think a lot of people do but won’t admit to it? I do, I have trouble getting out of Bed. Even brushing my teeth is a challenge. Depression I think can kill you it’s that Debilitating. I feel sick to my stomach a lot of the time where you Just DONT CARE😞

[AliceAnne in reply to Want2BHappy3]

I feel the same way! Thank you for responding.

[JustMyself]

I don’t get so much phobic about showering but I often just don’t have the effort or energy to do so. Just yesterday was one of those days, I’m hoping to find the strength today as it tends to make me feel worse when I don’t. But having wipes within reaching distance and chewing gum tend to help me, maybe give it a go and try to not be so hard on yourself!

[AliceAnne in reply to JustMyself]

I'm trying to find the strength to shower today, but it's not coming. Maybe tomorrow. Thanks for your kind words about not being too hard on myself.

[Hidden]

Yes, I get my ups and downs where my life just stands still, like not showering, I let my apartment go, can't do paperwork and can't make phone calls. This is all part of this horrible disease. What I found, though, is that when I push myself to shower, I feel much better and I say I won't let myself go anymore, and then I do again. It's a vicious cycle.

[AliceAnne in reply to Hidden]

I feel the exact way, Boomer, Thanks for responding.

[Thearc]

You are not alone. I shower once a month maybe less. The thought of getting into the shower exhausts me and gives me anxiety yet when I finish showering I feel so much better and I'm glad that I had one. When I have a little bit of energy I get into the shower quickly before I change my mind and go back to bed.

[AliceAnne]

Thanks for sharing, at least I am not alone with this issue. Neither are you.

[GiGismiles]

Hi aliceanne, you are actually healthier NOT to shower often if you are living in the city. The quality of most water management stations is SH&#. That is a fact.

The bleach and detergents are atrocious and horrible for human consumption or bathing. Portland Or people are getting scalp cancers and tumors, Corpus Christi Tx is worse than Flint Michigan. I was there when kids were burnt horribly from oil refineries spilling poison into the water system that was destroyed decades ago by salt water. I watch Erin Brockovich attorneys get off an airplane in Corpus and oil attorneys were standing at bottom of stairs waiting for them, they turned around and got back on the plane. It was so flippin messed up, we couldnt even wash clothes or bathe because we would be flammable or 2nd degree burns in hospital.

I know this isnt exactly what your talking about but it will help you overcome your worries and or procrastination re: showering if you dont want to. Do what is good for you unless you work lol, gotta share space.

I also hope this helps to educate people and influence them to research and stand up to corporate corruption. please vote for green teams. #standup #resist

[AliceAnne in reply to GiGismiles]

Hi GiGi, thank you for your response.