why is personal hygiene so fucking hard? I just had an anxiety attack cause I smelled yet couldn’t bring myself to shower. I start to blame my parents like “why didn’t they hook me up with these basic life essentials?” But honestly it’s just cause if I blame myself it sends me spiraling into a pit of “not good enough”. I genuinely don’t understand why it’s so hard for me. N when I’m doing it it’s like nothing, it’s enjoyable even. So why do I get this feeling of absolute dread? Or I honestly just avoid it. I just ignore it. But why am I okay with avoiding and ignoring myself ? Idk man. Hard questions. Anyways off topic but what do you guys do after an anxiety attack? I usually just take a nap cause it exhausts me but my mom keeps pushing me to shower right after every time so that I “wash it away”. Which is cool n it does help but it’s kinda counterproductive when the reason I have an anxiety attack is cause I don’t wanna shower. But I can’t exactly explain that to her cause she wouldn’t understand. Imma be hit with a “seriously?” N that might just send me into another anxiety attack lmao. Hope y’all are having a better day!
personal hygiene : why is personal... - Anxiety and Depre...
personal hygiene
My doctor has told me that it is not necessary to take a shower every day. He feels it can cause too much skin dryness, and recommends only 4 a week. If it bothers you you do not need to shower every day, although you may want to talk about this fear with your psychiatrist. x
Honestly Cali idk wtf it is about showers when ur going through anxiety bout but yes that can cause an anxiety attack and it’s not pretty or fun. I experienced that during a set back and something that helps is an exercise. You get in the shower and u start naming things around u and spelling them backwards. So your focus becomes on that and before u know it shower is over and u haven’t responded to fear or worrisome thoughts. Try it out hope it can help. Hugs.
"You get in the shower and u start naming things around u and spelling them backwards."
You do that too?
Here, I don't do that in the shower, (I have a stand up shower with not many words to see) but I'll try saying a word backwards in my mind.
If I'm out for a walk and feel anxious, I'll look at numbers (home, license plates, street sign) and try adding them up in my head.
I do that too AnxiousSilver
Hi CaliBoa22.
I have EXACTLY the same problem. I don't know why I can't do it either. Sometimes I go 7-10 days w/ a shower. Yeah, I can tell too. Lol.
It's just about the hardest chore for me to get done. I like to be clean, of course, but getting to that point, is a hard thing for me to do.
I am envious of ppl who say "oh I have to shower before I go out", or "before I go to bed". Some say they take 2 showers a day. (Don't really know anyone who does that, but have read about it many times.)
It's nothing for others to "simply" take a shower. I can't figure it out, why it's so hard for me to do! But it bothers me so much. I feel guilty for not taking 1 and beat myself up.
I end up going out a lot of times w/out one, and I'm always thinking ppl can tell I haven't showered. That gives me anxiety on a scale of 100.
Sorry for the long reply for showers only, but this has been a long-time problem for me, and I'm so glad you brought this up. Now, I feel better knowing I'm not the only one who has problems w/ this.
We will figure this out eventually! xx
To add to my original reply, it IS ok once I get in the shower. I'm thinking "this isn't so bad, I will start taking 1 way more often". But that never happens. Then I'm in the same cycle I was in in the 1st place. Showers and brushing my teeth are the biggest hygiene problems for me. And honestly, it pisses me off!
hi theres always wash wipes i had to use them during my house rennovation ok for short term use the skin needs a rough sponge sometimes to exfoliate dead cells the skin can come off in bed causing insects dust mites which are everywhere to breed and survive longer we even have invisible things in our eye lashes brows etc ive seen tv documentaries, a lot of parents use them on there little ones after nappy changes too, and of course a good deordarant, and what about trying a bath its relazing i used to nerly fall asleep in it but shower gel is best as soap creates a scum so then yud need to rinse with shower, 🤗human bodies are a host for bacteria etc,but yes there advising too much washing especially on new babies isnt good for the skin
there’s always the wheelie bin ….
I lost it with the tea!😂 and then with the siren!😂
nice socks
Very high end, posh as you would say
bought this too
very Norwegian
Sure is... I swear I'm getting more Norwegian by the day
Is this for real?? Soaking in a garbage can?
❤️🐬
it’s the uk pointless having outdoor pools or hot tubs …. it’s always raining,just swill the bin out and put a little stool in …..can even put a couple of goldfish in for when you’re entertaining guests as a conversation piece .
I would have no problem sitting in a hot tub in the rain. Even better a snow storm.
I would have a problem sitting in a garbage can in any type of weather.
Oh sh*t, I did just spit my coffee with the last sentence... hahaha.... goldfish for entertainment. You are something else SS 
the only person in uk with a hot tub and disco lights is Gerrerd
Well then I'm going to have to say he's got the right idea.
Do you put your garbage cans on the sidewalk for pick up? Do all the neighbors swim in the garbage cans on trash pick up day?
omg friggen hysterical. I love listen to the English accent having a disagreement it makes me laugh. He called the guy a pervert hahahah
people take criticism about their bin seriously
I can understand that. It's about taking pride in your garbage can.
Well if you ever get sick of garbage can or koi pond swimming hop a plane to the USA plenty of pools and hot tubs to stretch out in
like the guy said… in my own bin
That guy def loved his bin. Maybe the perv should have brought his bin over for a pool party.
It is quite creative gotta say that.
Taking pride in your garbage bins.
Those are some beautiful garbage can pools
❤️🐬
🤣🤣🤣Omg that is hilarious - especially the ending ! Just what I needed - a good laugh . Cheers !
ill look forward to watching it later 😁
You'll love it
Ummm...guys? Has anyone seen the original poster? I hope we haven't scared him off.
(sorry, MadBunny, but randomly chose someone to comment to)
No problem😁🤗
well if the lady who posteds mum shows her the wheely bin shel be jumping in the shower and staying there 🙄😁
haha 😁thank god his silly sausage was covered up, shame he wasnt wearing
oh no not them again😱🤣
they will always pop up or should i say the grey pixie will when you least expect it 🤫😂
How often do you swim in your garbage can SS
I got a koi pond 😄
Is it as deep as a garbage can?
🙄😁im assuming thats your wife bonkers like you fancy letting her do that 😂pixie prefars the loo 😺he once jumped in the bath
My husband loved this video - he was listening in and was convinced it was Victoria Wood! So funny, thank you
Gosh I am way behind here, I was talking about SillySausage’s video of the lady in the wheelie bin…
glad he liked it …i can see why …someone pmd me to ask are the videos spoofs but the funny thing is it just highlights uk eccentricity 😄
Thank you for your help! I have used baby wipes before, but I think you're talking about actual wash wipes ?? I will look for them next time I go shopping! xx
yes theres a few types the best ones are baby wipes for sensitive skin there bigger there great for cleaning stains off carpets and furnicture too lol 😊and clothes bring on the wipes, i sent some to the ukraines when my supermarket were asking for donations i thought abput them feeling dirty and the babies
That was kind of you to do. I'm sure that was high on the list for things they needed. ❤
i was concerned about the pets and thought if i put tin sardines in would come in for either people or pets my mam put nappy bags in the donation basket too, well we never got to see the whole of it on news the hygiene aspect, most we saw was them in cues for hours on end and we thought how do they go to loo etc what a nightmare were so lucky 🤗
i recently heard leave toothpaste on for half hour well too long for me but i use a special antibacterial one and leave it on long as can bear 🙄my mam has false teeth and i dont want to end up like her 🤗x
My shower has been the prime recipient of so much anger. I'm sure it's deeply offended. SayNoToPanic's comment reminded me of something. I think the reason why it creates so much anxiety for us is that it's where we think too much. The trick then becomes how to distract ourselves while showering.
im not keen on showers think as when younger watched horror films were they get stabbed or sneeked up on 🙄
yep, that can do it.
(Well, there goes my shower for today...😅)
I'm the same way hun... Don't beat yourself up. As others have said, we over-bathe in this country because of all of our resources and time, unless you're working out daily to a sweat, you probably don't need a shower daily. I have fibromyalgia and live a very sedentary life, so I only shower once a week. I use baby wipes in between if needed, they count as a bath in my book, anyway. I only wash my hair once a month maybe (it's curly, we don't have to wash ours as much or at all)... I also will take baths rather than showers as they help me deal w my anxiety and they're easier for me to wash up in w my chronic pain. Even w all of that, it's still a chore that I have to psych myself out for. Like seriously, "OK, you got this. You can do it. You'll feel better. You'll smell better. Others will want to be near you" etc etc.... The struggle is real....
Your mum sounds sweet, trying to help w the anxiety attacks even if she doesn't quite get them for you. "Just wash it away" makes sense on some level🙂 After one, I do my breathing exercises, and I might try to meditate. I might nap too, they are exhausting! I cry sometimes. I get on here and talk to peeps, that helps.... I ground by touching my husband. I joke that he's my physical xanax...but even touching his leg or arm will help calm me down and bring me back to "here". When I had pets, I'd pet them. A lot.... That's a really good question!!!
I agree with the washing too often especially youngsters who shower and wash their hair daily which isn’t good for your hair, it washes all the oils out. I am of the older generation who used to have to take baths when there was no central heating, and cold Lino on the floor, freezing in winter ! Unless you have a dirty job or sweat profusely there is no need.
We used to have a paraffin heater in the bathroom! 🫢
our radiators off in bathroom its leaking still looks like needs a plumber to replace it we tried sealing the dot hole but cant we have been avoiding showers been ok past few days as suns that way on morning or early afternoon by time we get our dressing gowns off😂 good job stocked up on the baby wipes i take my make up off with them rarely have soap on face it feels so dry after soap
my hair was bad condition when i went swimming submerged too long in the water i gave it a good chop as you know and its nerly grown back never grew so fast since i stopped swimming i put that special oil on too 🤗hope alls well with you was going to PM as havnt seen you about x
I saw these on QVC the other day - they looked really interesting. I'd never heard of such a thing. Don't know if they're available in other places
qvcuk.com/FreshWipes-Shampo...
What a great invention! Going to search my area for these. 👍
I wish I'd known about them when my RA was really bad a few years ago, and I struggled with personal care. I think there might be other brands too.
These could be an answer to my prayers. I was just replying to Mrspjsmom about the whole shower issue and overthinking and procrastinating it. It always comes down to hair, long and tangly, which I hate dealing with. These caps are such a great idea. Or, cutting hair all off, which I might get mad enough and do one day. Idk, but I’m definitely investing in these caps. Will let you know how they work.👍🙏😀
the plumbers took the radiator off weve got heat and water again, i always wash my hair in the sink i cant cope in the shower with hair washing lolphone needs charge now have a good day night 🤗🐆
Yeah, water! Sink is much faster, enjoy!
Yes please do. I'll be interested to know if they work. I dont have a problem with hair length as mine has been a short crop for a very long time 😁🤗
Found these on Amazon. Looks similar.
Help me decide on this product: Vive No Rinse Shampoo Cap (6 pcs) - Soft Shower Caps with Conditioner - Scentless Hair Wash and Care - Disposable, Waterless and Microwavable - Perfect for Post-Surgery, Elderly and Rehabilitation (White) a.co/d/ixjnc7o
Thanks 👍
Would love to get short haircut. Waiting for the day I get mad enough to have the nerve to cut it all off. Seems to be coming soon😀
I had mine done after a relationship break up. He was always saying that he liked my hair so I went out and had it cut short!!! A kind of gesture of 'I'm through with men 'lol. I liked it so much its been short ever since.
yes very liberating. I’m almost there, just overthinking it, image that?
ive heard of wash that man right out of your and send him.on his way lol who sang that not heard of cutting him out your hair tho, i did cut my hair when i was fed up and anxious about my house not selling after a bottle wine i fancied the debbie harry look lol unfortunetely my face isnt like what hers was 3o years ago 😂😂😂ffs i think ill go for the blondie brown pixie look and put him on my head then he might stop meowing hes asleep now so no meowing he wont stop following me and meowing his throat got croakie today from it 🙄🐆
I have been pondering this dilemma that seems to plague a few people and I have an idea on why.
Maybe the reason for the anxiety towards the shower 🚿 has to do with the fact that you are alone and in a very vulnerable state. When you have a panic attack, you already think you're going to die and you're naked. Even before you actually get the water on. You are already spiraling in thoughts of what if this happens or that. What if you need help in the shower cause of the panic attack but no one helps because they can't hear you? And you're off to the races.
Me, I love showers. Especially hot showers. It prepares me for when I go to hell 😂
Maybe that's what is needed here... Humor. Next time you need to take a shower 🚿 ponder these weird funny thoughts. Talk to your anxiety ask it stupid questions. Like "ok, anxiety if I were to die from taking a shower which we both know I won't cause you lie all the damn time. But let's say you are right, then I will be famous. I'll appear in hundreds of medical journals for years!" Then start your shower 🚿 and still think about other things like "ok, if you die and you come back with whatever you are wearing. So if I die here, I'm going to be naked and wet for eternity? Or just naked? How many ghosts are wondering around naked? Have I touched a naked ghost 👻? " 😂
As for your other question. For me when I have an anxiety attack, I go lay down and nap. It makes me feel better. Helps reset me.
you hit the nail on the head!! It’s the they’re gonna find you dead and butt naked in the damn shower.
lol yes so true were in a vulnerable state naked in shower and for me the horror films from my younger days and my fear of water i hate it in my eyes and shower jel shampoo it stings i get red eyes sometimes and my mams shower goes hot cold lol nightmare i actually started enjoying showers at swimminh baths as theres were ultra mod power showers i learned to put my back to the shower head not face as i feel im been overwhelmed by the water and get breathless 🙄
I experience somewhat the same feeling. Knowing I need a shower causes me great anxietyand I will put it off for days. Once I force myself into the shower, I'm in a hurry to get out. Then I feel good that I did it. I have no idea why this happens. Just want you to know you are not alone.
Wont let me play it as it's asking for id to verify my age- which I'm not willing to do ( not because of my age lol but for security reasons )
Thanks. I haven't laughed this hard in a long time.
yes we need to keep laughing best medicine 🤗😻
They wonder why I don't drive, after 66 years I'm expletive,💩, another expletive, 💩💩, 'very'💩 never had!😤🤭🤭🤭
Thanks 🤗
😂😂😂
i usually do same thing i just take a nap ,and then i eat something i force myself to eat and then while i eat i might watch a movie or listen to music to forget that i had an attack
hi i hope we helped cheer you up and you didnt mind our funny remarks videos photos im sure you didnt expect all that, laughter is the best medicine hope made you and anyone reading smile 😁take care x
Let’s normalize the sink bath! Grab a wipe, slap some body wash on it (the baby soaps are great as they don’t need to be rinsed off), wipe those pits, wipe that rear and move on. In between a shower once a week should suffice. And try to make it a goal to do the exercises when you do jump in the shower and prayers up to build the resilience to that anxiety. 🙏🏻
good advice the bottom line is well excuse the word bottom 🙄as long as any potential dirty or smelly parts are washed in what ever way is easy theres no reason to stress on washing and been safe and clean 😊
100 percent!!!
Yes and think of all the water we re savings as well 👍 I love baby wipes.
Totally get where you are coming from. Sometimes just getting yourself out of bed is an accomplishment. The idea of showering or moving from a place you feel comfortable can cause anxiety. What is worse, though is knowing you can't do it. You can.
It's one of those odd fears I haven't figured out yet. Reminding myself I'm in a safe space and nothing bad is going to happen takes energy. It is incredibly hard to force yourself to do something during depression.
I make deals with myself. I only do what I'm able and a little more. That might mean sitting on the toilet and flossing my teeth. Then if that goes ok, I'll brush them and then convince myself that the water will feel good. It always does. Once I'm up sometimes I can do other things.
It's a day by day thing. Knowing that you tried something, anything helps. Course good medical care helps too however, there is no magic pill and if there was it would take time
Knowing that you tried helps. Every single thing you think you can't do but do helps. Try to do what you can and celebrate each thing. Write it down in a journal so you can remember.
Sorry for the long post.
Hope you feel better soon.
Annapolis123
beautiful advice and encouragement. Thank you so much for sharing.
Someone made a comment below, that they hope the comments didn't "scare you off".
I don't know if I need to say this, but just want you to know, that NO ONE is making jokes out of your situation. We have all experienced (much) pain w/ depression/anxiety/other, and sometimes we need to find humor in things to lighten the burden of situations we are dealing with.
This is a good group of ppl here, and although we laugh at things, we still take what is being said, seriously. We are all here to help each other.
xx
That was me. It was right after it hit me that the OP might have thought we were (and I was) being disrespectful.
it just shows your highly sensitive side Minnie that’s admirable……I’m sure our poster friend wasn’t offended just turned off her alerts ….sometimes posts just blow up 😄😬…caliboa did come in and reply to someone I noticed and wasn’t discombobulated I’m sure she’ll forgive us ….maybe
and the post is still going on i just noticed 122 replies lol thats a good sine a miracle it hasnt been taken off what with pixie pants and the 2 ss balloon dolls making a appearance which do you prefar and ill bear it in mind if it needs to appear in future posts 🤔😁
I refuse to let you torment me tonight I’m binge watching doc Martin
lol oh my mam watches that i am just waiting for live at the appolo on channel 2 theres some good comedians on sometimes, have a good night 🤗🐆pixies sends a nip 😺
by the way i thought the other day when you was saying some stuff to someone and about seeing doctor you would make a good doctor not sure what name tho doctor sausage or doctor silly 🤔right im off 😊
dr Doolittle
lol
hes busy with his doctor this post needs to stop 🤔think been the longest one yet on hu not sure 🤗
Sorry to disappoint you but it isnt. Bazzak managed 403 on his Battersea Park photo post on PWB lol
I remember that one, pictures of London, PWB, classic!🤗🤗🤗🤗
I can't sleep so I've been looking through some of his posts. The jokes were often bad but the London photos were fantastic. And as for the banter- such fun. He really helped to keep spirits up during Covid , bless him.🤗🤗🤗
And another one of Bazzaks posts clocked up 645- the one about reminiscing about the past 😁
I don't think you have to be sorry. It was all said in humor, and like I had mentioned, we still need to laugh at things. It doesn't mean we are being disrespectful.
This is true. I do appreciate your comment to assure that the the topic is taken seriously. I thought that was very nice of you! You're right; none of us is being disrespectful. I just got it into my head that he might have thought so. I swear it's a curse sometimes to anticipate other's feelings.... It's like my brain is so uncomfortable anticipating my needs/feelings that it gets into everyone else's.😅
Definitely true for me too! Thank you! xx
I really like the idea of washing the panic attack away. For me I overthink taking a shower. Get in the shower, wash my hair, dry off, put on lotion, dry my hair and on and on...just thinking about it is exhausting!
I completely overthink it too. I never used to be this way but lately it goes something like this: “shower? Ok, but it’s too cold, or it’s too hot, what do I wear after shower, am I going anywhere, can I look like crap, do I have to dress properly, are pj’s ok, what’s clean, what’s in dirty clothes, maybe no clean bath towels, then the whole hair issue, way to tangled after shower, to much work, forgot to get haircut, need to call stylist, where’s the new anti-tangle stuff I bought, can’t find it, men in house using my razors, crap, so no shaving, so why bother with shower, bath robe all wrong, doesn’t fit right … and on and on my list goes.” I’m such a great procrastinator and definitely feeling you on the overthinking.😀
"men in house using my razors"
Seriously?
Then again, I've always use an electric razor, but still.
Yes, seriously! I even buy pink ones hoping that will help. It’s useless.
oh dont shave all your lovely facial hair off you look so nice with it on your avatar photo just keep putting the oil on 😂😂
Bear and I both need haircuts and facials. Too bad we can’t go together.
Daaaannggg!!!!! And I thought I was bad....Btw, I braved a shower today. I thought about announcing it before I did.
The pre- title: "I'm going in, wish me luck!". The post-title: "Phew! I survived, yippee!!"
Yes my thought process on this is pretty bad. I can come up with more excuses than you could imagine. Sundays a good day for a shower. Good for you! Cleanliness is next to Godliness. I will get there later today … but you know it’s too cold right now … 🤣
Yes, I was so pleased with myself!!
Yeah, yeah, that's what they all say (it's too cold)🙄
Thank you🤗Just got to let it take its course🙄
Yes. Im resting and having a lot of hot drinks 🤗
cant remember, pixies made effort for me today been V day😻💛😂
ive just put latest one of me now on pjsmums post lol, phone needs charge have a lovely snuggly day with fur babes 😻💛xxx
oh nice my roots need doing it used to be like yours long dark its shoulder length now but growing regret the chop have to charge up phone now catch up later hugs all round🤗
When we don't love ourselves, it comes out in other ways It's a protest that people just don't understand
I get you
I hear you
I understand you
Not what you're looking for?
You may also like...
Off topic hygiene question.
Borderline personality
It's personal, isn't it?
I am a shitty person
Disgust, shame poor hygiene new job fearof no money coming in. ADHD issues as well.
Related Posts
feeling like a bad person 
Just want to be someone's person...
Rock bottom. Rare personality type. 
Interesting -Personality Changes
Personal hygeneModeration team
