Why Don't I Want To Shower/Bathe?????

Hi everyone,

This is a really hard topic for me. I started having depression around daylight savings. It has become harder and harder for me to do simple things like cooking. Now I have a hard time making myself take a shower or bath. I don't know of this will all go away next month (daylight savings).

Try talking to a doctor about taking vitamin d supplements.

I hope this helps.

Thanks I started taking it two months ago

I think cuz it's too durn cold!!

Maybe if its a nice hot shower you will want to. Maybe you've forgotten how refreshing it can be.

If it's the lack of daylight you might want to look into lightboxes and see if there's one you can afford. I know several people that swear by them.

When I'm depressed showering seems like such work. First the water has to warm up, then you have to get in, then you have to soap and rinse and wash your hair and rinse your hair. And then dry off and then find clothes. And sometimes it can just be exhausting.

I can tell I need to worry when I start going without showers and why I'm missing my showers. Although yesterday was a draw - I didn't shower, but I did go for a walk and get out and do some things.

Thanks Bunnifoo, I actually just found one online. I'll order it ASAP.

It's the same with me when I'm depressed.....hygiene just goes out the window. I don't even brush my teeth on the weekends if I'm not going anywhere, or get dressed, or do anything but sit in front of the computer.

This winter's been different, but that's beside the point. Psych Central had a great article about this topic some time back; maybe it's in the archives and you can search there for it. I can't remember the title (sorry) but it was all about why we lose our ability/willingness to perform self-care, in this case bathing, during the down times.

Coco, it is very common. Very very common. The most viewed Bipolar Success story is the story about the small success of taking a shower. More than 2K views. View it for yourself as well:
http://forums.psychcentral.com/showthread.php?t=208719

Another thing... do take a shower and post an update to that thread on the success with showering. You will get satisfaction from being accountable.

I'm the same. I'm so embarrassed to say sometimes its been 4-5 days. . I neglect myself very badly.

Sorry your having such a rough go of it. But like moose said maybe you forgotten how nice it can be to have a nice warm shower with the beads of hot water rolling off you.

Thank you....I really enjoyed the link and will post there.

me too - I will post when I take a shower. I currently have this problem too. Not too bad though - I miss a day or two at most.

I am afraid to shower! I love feeling clean afterwards but I hate the process. I have nice, curly hair that doesn't need to be shampooed more than once a week (or every 5 days) and I don't want to get in the shower & ruin my hair. I get lots of compliments on my hair but it doesn't look good freshly washed. And then, it takes me about 20 minutes to shower; I don't know how anyone does it in 2 minutes! And then there is my skin. I have special soap for my face and body; another soap for my body & another soap for private areas. My skin does not like the water but I have to keep other parts of my body clean (privates) because I will get infections! I absolutely hate being cold when I get out of the shower!!!!! My skin is dry and tight so 2 moisturizers on my face plus all-over body lotion. Then I have to do my hair. I'm always afraid that my hair won't come out as nice as it was before I washed it. I hate the amount of time this all takes. I don't feel better at the end of it, I feel relieved

I don't because I'm depressed I guess. I don't feel up to the PITA that is taking care of the human body. It's a disgusting thing and I hate dealing with it.

My mother always wanted to be a nurse because she is fascinated by the body. She makes me gag every time she says that.

Basic self care does seem to go out the window when we're in the darkest depths of it.

I just remember Sweet Mary from when I was in patient ... Come on, honey, you gotta push yourself a little bit ... I repeat that to myself in the same gentle voice as hers whenever I feel so despondent I don't want to move.

I don't know how or why, but it works ... She must be one of those angels people talk about!

I go a week usually. Just don't care. I wear the same clothes to work that I sleep in. Sit in a corner by myself so it doesn't matter. It's a depression piece. Beginning to think I should tell my GP... At home like others, I'm either in bed or in front of the computer. More the former.

Jan

I also have this problem when depressed and usually it's hard to get in the shower but once I'm in there I love how the water feels and remember how good it is the feel clean. To coax yourself into the tub, I recommend you try to take a relaxing bath with bubbles, candles or essential oils. Water is extremely therapeutic.

I shower like once every three days when stable. Perfume was invented for a reason!

it could be a number of things... lack of motivation, lack of a reason, or just the thought of knowing that later you're just going to get dirty again anyway.

try setting yourself something like.. going out to see a friend or go to the shops.. something you want to do- that ma inspire you to take a shower to be prepared for what ever it is

I would look into a lightbox. I'm sorry your feeling this way.

When I'm depressed, my showers go from daily to only if I have to go out. Also, get quite a few skin infections when I do this. I just hate the idea of getting wet. Cold water always offends me on even my hands. Once I force myself to shower though, I always feel better.

I can't smell any of ya', so you're okay!

Coco, I have this problem and very much so. Also, I have a lot of curly hair which gets tangled very easily, and when I am feeling the way you describe, I can only take a shower but not wash and condition my hair. If I go for days without detangling and eventually find enough determination and energy to take a proper shower, I can spend and hour trying to detangle. So I know that if I neglect the task of detangling, I would eventually face a true ordeal. And yet, when I feeling the way you are, the intellectual knowledge does absolutely nothing to motivate me.

What helps me motivate myself to take a shower is a collection of lovely shower gels. They are sensuous and pleasant, and, when I take a shower, I get to decide which one I will use today. I can send you suggestions if you think it will help you, as I have gone through quite a few.

Another thing that helped me was affixing a toothbrush holder to the walls of my shower. Then I wash myself and brush my teeth in one fell swoop, so two major hygienic feats get accomplished at once. And then I am happy.

I have not found a way to motivate myself to wash and condition my hair, but at least I have gotten better at washing the body and brushing my teeth. Oh, and the last one - for your gentle parts - get the "sweet spot geranium lavender" - it has a lovely smell and the right pH for the vulva. What else? Colorful towels.

My first post on this board was about not managing the hygiene even when NOT depressed. A lot of responses. A lot. If I am not mistaken, BlueInanna has a thread in BP success stories, on taking a shower. Many more people, from time to time, post about it. So many that I wonder out loud why it is not in the DSM - the struggles with daily hygiene!

I have a problem with showering when Im on the low side. It feels like such a big effort and I never have the energy. Many times I have sat on the shower floor as I just couldnt stand up anymore. I hate those days, I get out of the shower so drained and defeated, and I still have to dry and dress myself!! Its a huge ordeal when I am like that and it is so much easier and more comfortable not to have a shower at all. Plus when Im down I do not much during the days anyway so its not as if I am really dirty. But perhaps that is me justifying not doing it. Some days I simply just forget.

Then other times, its not a problem, I will shower with not a care in the world.

It is certainly easier to shower when I am not at home too, having a shower that stays at one temperature is a treat and bliss!