Help me understand how getting a shower/brushing teeth is difficult

I am hoping someone can help me understand why showering and/or brushing your teeth is hard. My son suffers from depression and anxiety. If he bathes once a week he is lucky. It is gross. He is a commuting college student and had a girlfriend. (not sure if she is still in the picture because she has not come over for a week or so). I don't blame her for leaving. He doesn't take care of his personal hygiene. He won't exercise and has gained so much weight. He is seeing a therapist and is now on zoloft for the past 2 weeks. I guess I was hoping for some relief for him already. I thought I seen a bit of improvement but we are back down again. He started a new job this past weekend and came home in good spirits, so the past 2 days looked good even though he didn't bathe or brush his teeth. Now today all he did was lay in his room, smoke his weed and eat and sleep. So heartbreaking seeing a once in shape young man and a once young man who cared about his looks just go downhill. I honestly do not know what he will do if the girlfriend does break it off totally. I am afraid to ask what is going on.

Sometimes with depression not taking care of ones self comes along with it. I noticed you said that he has been on Zoloft for 2 weeks. It will take the Zoloft about 4 to 6 weeks before it is fully effective. I think you might find that asking what is going on could be beneficial or ask if you can tag a long while he sees his t.

Best Wishes

Is it best not to say anything about him not bathing or brushing his teeth? I said something today about combing his hair and then he went right back into his room. I can't smell him but I don't get that close to his mouth to smell the breath. I don't smell body odor but his hair is gross. I don't know if saying something makes it worse?

my son recently put on lamictal, we're waiting for it to work, he takes care of himself, but he doesn't have a job right now as in the past he attended college but never finished and owes money for loans too. he does stay in his room alot and practices guitar and is very good at it. he doesn't and isn't interested in anything else although. i feel for you, watching kids go through depression is awful. i wish you luck and will pray.

It's very common. Honestly I usually shower less than that. It's hard to explain but it's not just showering. It's going in the bathroom, setting the water temperature, undressing, getting in, washing, rinsing, washing, rinsing, getting out, turning off the water, drying off, applying powder, getting dressed. It's a LOT of stuff to do when you don't feel like doing anything.

It's standing. Yes even just the thought of having to stand for a (seemingly) prolonged period of time can seem impossible.

Sorry can't explain it, but I can empathize with your son. Maybe see if you can speak to one of his doctors (psychiatrist, therapist, whatever) and just ask some general questions about depression. Maybe they can explain it better.

I use to buzz cut my hair every morning. Then every 2 days, then 3, then every 4 days, etc etc. This is as hard on him as it is on you.

Not sure if he was on medicines before - they can make you gag and everything comes up when brushing teeth - making brushing teeth hell. (I'm getting off Zoloft now.)

Just be careful with medicine. They can help some people a lot - mess other people up more (like me.) And Zoloft can cause body odor.