Home Menu

Menu


Reply
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #51  
Old Feb 15, 2014, 10:56 PM
hamster-bamster hamster-bamster is offline
Account Suspended
 
Member Since: Sep 2011
Location: Northern California
Posts: 14,805
Quote:
Originally Posted by thickntired View Post
Guess what, Hamster? Yesterday I walked 5.25 miles, and made it in under 15 min miles. It felt great afterwards. I'm going to get back into my routine even though it's still cold. I'm hoping with the right diet I can finally lose the weight. Big Hugs♥

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
I once tried for racewalking. Then all sorts of hardships interfered, and I never went back to the track. I walked one mile under 15 mins, while trying to follow the very difficult rules and constraints of racewalking. The judge told me that I was promising, since my first mile wS under 15 mins. Just one mile. And you walked much more!
Thanks for this!
thickntired

advertisement
  #52  
Old Feb 15, 2014, 11:01 PM
hamster-bamster hamster-bamster is offline
Account Suspended
 
Member Since: Sep 2011
Location: Northern California
Posts: 14,805
Quote:
Originally Posted by psychehedone View Post
I really dislike mindless routine activities, e.g. showering.

Some people suggest "disrupting" the monotonous aspect of showering by indulging in luxury products (e.g. a nice shower gel), a pedicure or manicure, lighting candles, etc.

Caveats: 1) sometimes I don't have time to do those "rituals", 2) if they made me feel better, I'd want to do them regularly, and that would take the surprise/luxury element out of the equation. Luxury would become routine, and I'd be back to the drawing board again.

).
I have at least 10 different shower gels and at least as many EDT or EDP (eau de toilette or perfume), and so far the variety of choices has kept me from feeling that showering is a mindless routine. Tomorrow I will go buy artisan bar soap from the farmers' market for the same reason - I want to enjoy the color, texture, and scent of soap.
Thanks for this!
thickntired
  #53  
Old Mar 01, 2014, 02:53 AM
icinggurl's Avatar
icinggurl icinggurl is offline
Member
 
Member Since: Jan 2012
Location: United States
Posts: 165
I had no idea other people had this problem! I thought I was some kind of weirdo! Sometimes, I get busy doing something I enjoy and it feels like a waste of time to shower. I know that's crazy, esp since I'm a germaphobe. I don't have any tips really. I kind of just force myself in there. I mostly just wanted to express my gratitude for everybody else's posts, that's all.
Thanks for this!
thickntired
  #54  
Old Mar 02, 2014, 07:21 PM
thickntired's Avatar
thickntired thickntired is offline
Poohbah
 
Member Since: Feb 2012
Location: South USA
Posts: 1,471
Quote:
Originally Posted by icinggurl View Post
I had no idea other people had this problem! I thought I was some kind of weirdo! Sometimes, I get busy doing something I enjoy and it feels like a waste of time to shower. I know that's crazy, esp since I'm a germaphobe. I don't have any tips really. I kind of just force myself in there. I mostly just wanted to express my gratitude for everybody else's posts, that's all.
Yes!! I'm a germaohobe as well lol. When I do showerni loofah the crap out of my skin and can't get enough soap/shampoo/exfoliating face soap etc. The same goes for when I clean my house I had to stop using bleach products bc I was ruining my clothes and my hands were raw even with gloves. I can't ever get anything clean enough period so I feel like why bother lol. My husband is just going to come along and mess it up most days. He doesn't know it but I put every single dish he cleans into the dishwasher hahaha. I tried to explain my system and he just got pissed. I have one sponge only for counter tops one for dishes and one non scratch for pans. You'd think I was teaching rocket science. So it's easier to smile and say thanks how sweet then do it the right way as soon as he leaves :P

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
__________________



There is a thin line that separates laughter and pain, comedy and tragedy, humor and hurt.

Erma Bombeck
  #55  
Old Mar 02, 2014, 08:25 PM
hamster-bamster hamster-bamster is offline
Account Suspended
 
Member Since: Sep 2011
Location: Northern California
Posts: 14,805
I thought the sponges were color-coded: pink for non-scratch and blue for regular, no?

Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk
  #56  
Old Mar 03, 2014, 10:25 AM
MagicsMom MagicsMom is offline
Member
 
Member Since: Oct 2013
Location: PA
Posts: 201
I'm the same as Bipolarnurse! No reason based on mood, I just don't want to. I've gone from every day to twice a week.

Also agree with hamster- bamster since it's clearly an issue for so many of us. I know it's in the requirements for disability in the U.S. In the Activities of Daily Living form.

I don't feel like such a scumbag now that I know I'm not alone!
__________________
Diagnosed with Bipolar II, anxiety/panic with agoraphobia

Meds:
400 mg Lamictal
300 mg Seroquel
200 Topamax
6 mg Klonopin
  #57  
Old Mar 03, 2014, 03:42 PM
vjdragonfly's Avatar
vjdragonfly vjdragonfly is offline
Magnate
 
Member Since: Jul 2010
Location: Florida
Posts: 2,835
Quote:
Originally Posted by hamster-bamster View Post
I think we should all co-sign a letter to whatever committee will publish the next edition of the DSM, because these self-care difficulties are so common, they should be listed as a symptom.

"Pervasive difficulties with self-care, such as basic personal hygiene, present in-between episodes and exacerbated during depressive episodes."
I agree, never really thought about it being classified as a symptom.
__________________
Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ~ Dr. Seuss
Thanks for this!
hamster-bamster
  #58  
Old Mar 03, 2014, 03:48 PM
vjdragonfly's Avatar
vjdragonfly vjdragonfly is offline
Magnate
 
Member Since: Jul 2010
Location: Florida
Posts: 2,835
Oh, this is so soothing to hear. I have been "stable" for some time, but I do still struggle with taking showers. Since I have started working again I take them more frequently, but like today, I didn't sweat or get dirty so I am struggling to make myself get in the shower. I rarely ever shower on the weekends. It is odd as to why it seems so many bp'ers struggle with this.
__________________
Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ~ Dr. Seuss
  #59  
Old Mar 04, 2014, 01:13 PM
thickntired's Avatar
thickntired thickntired is offline
Poohbah
 
Member Since: Feb 2012
Location: South USA
Posts: 1,471
Quote:
Originally Posted by hamster-bamster View Post
I thought the sponges were color-coded: pink for non-scratch and blue for regular, no?

Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk
Yes, but my husband feels like what a stupid thing to tell me. I know what I'm doing -leave me alone. hahaha

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
__________________



There is a thin line that separates laughter and pain, comedy and tragedy, humor and hurt.

Erma Bombeck
Thanks for this!
hamster-bamster
  #60  
Old Mar 05, 2014, 07:34 PM
Anonymous37909
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Quote:
Originally Posted by hamster-bamster View Post
I have at least 10 different shower gels and at least as many EDT or EDP (eau de toilette or perfume), and so far the variety of choices has kept me from feeling that showering is a mindless routine. Tomorrow I will go buy artisan bar soap from the farmers' market for the same reason - I want to enjoy the color, texture, and scent of soap.
You're SO right. Inspired by you, today I bought a nice body scrub, face mask, lotion, and a new conditioner. I don't think I've had such a refreshing, relaxing, enjoyable shower in a year. Variety -- and the texture of the body scrub -- definitely helped.

Gosh, I think the shower felt better than sex. Is that TMI? Maybe. STILL, good products and variety can really make that much of a difference. A part of me feels guilty about the "unnecessary" splurging. Yes, I know that I already own shower gel, conditioner, body lotion, etc. Nevertheless, I was getting so sick of showering, but today I feel so much more relaxed and refreshed.

Thank you, Hamster. Your posts are the best.
Thanks for this!
hamster-bamster, MotherMarcus, Trippin2.0
  #61  
Old Mar 09, 2014, 03:57 AM
icinggurl's Avatar
icinggurl icinggurl is offline
Member
 
Member Since: Jan 2012
Location: United States
Posts: 165
That's how you know you're a girl. There are a LOT of things that seem better than sex! LOL!
  #62  
Old Mar 09, 2014, 10:32 AM
Crazycatlady82's Avatar
Crazycatlady82 Crazycatlady82 is offline
Member
 
Member Since: Jan 2013
Location: canada
Posts: 63
Wow, thanks for this post, I had never heard of hygiene being an issue unless there was severe depression. I have always been pretty OCD about it, even when depressed, and maybe overly so. In the summer or if I get sweaty, I will shower multiple times in a day, or at least wash with a cloth. I have to shave my legs and underarms every day or it drives me nuts. I think the longest I have gone without showering or bathing is 3 days, and that was in very severe depression where I did not really get out of bed...
  #63  
Old Mar 14, 2014, 01:57 AM
icinggurl's Avatar
icinggurl icinggurl is offline
Member
 
Member Since: Jan 2012
Location: United States
Posts: 165
Exactly. I had a 3 month spell of staying in bed all the time before 2 wks of psychosis. Once I was hospitalized, I remember eating with the other patients and thinking, somebody has some serious body odor. I then realized it was ME! I was horrified! I thought, well this is an all time low.... I also had 9 cavities when I was discharged. I still wonder, who the h-- was that person?!
Hugs from:
gris212
  #64  
Old Mar 14, 2014, 04:36 AM
Anonymous100205
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
I too have had this problem. I didn't have it much before the psychosis. Things have really changed since that though.

I think I might do what hamster suggested. Buy some cool body washes. Right now I just use dove the bar green. Like cucumber or something. I like it but I think I need more variety. I can't shave though with body washes. I need bar soap or else it doesn't get close enough.

But I'm gonna get me at least 2 different body washes. Good suggestion.
Thanks for this!
angelicgoldfish05
  #65  
Old Mar 14, 2014, 04:37 AM
Axiom's Avatar
Axiom Axiom is offline
Member
 
Member Since: Aug 2013
Location: Here
Posts: 341
Don't like showering because the warm water makes me feel so drained and tired afterwards, and doing the same routine over and over again is frustrating and boring.
  #66  
Old Mar 14, 2014, 07:10 AM
spydermonkey spydermonkey is offline
Member
 
Member Since: Feb 2012
Location: USA
Posts: 121
i hate showers also. they're boring and seem like a waste of time. it's hard to get motivated to get in a shower knowing that ill just have to do it again when i get dirty again. its time consuming when i have to wash my hair. used to keep my hair short and didn't ever wash it, just rinse. now my hair is long and i have to wash it or it gets gross. then getting out of the shower, its cold and my hair stays wet a long time and it feels awful to me. i think showers highlight the boring rote repetitive tedium of everyday life. im usually in and out in five minutes or less. then im cold and cranky.
__________________
Reclaiming my life
Thanks for this!
angelicgoldfish05
  #67  
Old Mar 14, 2014, 07:32 AM
Mickey4333's Avatar
Mickey4333 Mickey4333 is offline
Member
 
Member Since: Sep 2013
Location: Springfield, Illinois
Posts: 128
I am with you Pink. I have an aversion to showering. I have for years. I usually force myself in about every other day. Once I am in the shower, it is not too bad and even at the end of the shower, I think "that wasn't bad!" but it continues to be so difficult to get myself in!
__________________
Mickey
  #68  
Old Mar 14, 2014, 09:11 AM
littlemiss44's Avatar
littlemiss44 littlemiss44 is offline
Veteran Member
 
Member Since: Feb 2014
Location: Milwaukie
Posts: 604
I know why I can't stand to take a shower...I think anyways. I have bp2, bpd, ptsd, anxiety and depression. Even if I feel stable I still have a hard time getting in the shower! It is sooo frustrating cause I want a simple answer to why I am this way. It's overwhelming to think about washing my hair, my body and shaving. I should want to do these things but I can't seem to do it. I actually look forward to the days I don't have to shower. Seems so strange. I know that I'm always depressed and I have a dark cloud that follows me around every day. I'm so used to it that I don't mind it anymore. Meds only go so far. Mindfulness only goes do far. Therapy helps but nothing helps motivate me to take a dam shower! Does anyone else struggle with daily depression even tho yr medicated? Am I the only one? I doubt it. I.just don't want to feel so alone in this state. When I'm hypo it seems easy to shower. Like I feel as if I have so much to look forward to.that showering seems like the right thing to do. I miss those.hypo manic days when I was so incredibly motivated to do everything and anything! I used to workout 6 days a week. But then I used to put myself in reckless behavioral situations. That I don't miss. Sorry for the long post...I just needed to get this stuff off my chest. Thx for listening. :-)

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk
Hugs from:
Mickey4333
  #69  
Old Mar 18, 2014, 08:54 PM
thickntired's Avatar
thickntired thickntired is offline
Poohbah
 
Member Since: Feb 2012
Location: South USA
Posts: 1,471
I just got out of the psych ward where I didn't shower for a couple days. When I saw my pdoc a few days later he askew how I was doing and I said better I showered today. I was mortified bc he said yes we notice and we were wondering about that???!!! I though he was kidding and this was in front of an intern. When I realized he was dead serious I felt like a freak!!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
__________________



There is a thin line that separates laughter and pain, comedy and tragedy, humor and hurt.

Erma Bombeck
Hugs from:
Anonymous45023
  #70  
Old Mar 18, 2014, 11:55 PM
TheatreKid's Avatar
TheatreKid TheatreKid is offline
Grand Member
 
Member Since: Mar 2014
Location: somewhere
Posts: 937
I never realized this was a common thing. Before I got hit by bipolar I left for college at 7 every morning, was up at 5 to shower. Sometimes I would shower at school after dance class (it was a performing arts college). After bipolar it became harder. Then I started hormones for transgender 3 years ago and the bipolar went crazy. I'm lucky if I shower 3 times a week. It seriously feels like a major accomplishment every time I manage to take one.
Thanks for this!
worthit
  #71  
Old Mar 19, 2014, 04:40 AM
icinggurl's Avatar
icinggurl icinggurl is offline
Member
 
Member Since: Jan 2012
Location: United States
Posts: 165
Thickntired - that was a real ahole thing for your doc to say to you!! That makes me FURIOUS! I've been a 'victim' of mental health care workers myself and it's ridiculous how rude and dehumanizing these docs can be!! It's like they don't realize how fragile and broken the inpatient people are. We aren't in the hosp cuz we're doing fine! I don't understand why a nurse or somebody didn't take you aside privately and let you know you should be showering. Why do they just assume that people who are so sick that they are inpatient, are just fine when it comes to personal hygiene?! They would offer to help a patient who was physically sick to shower. How exactly are we different? When a person is full blown manic, depressed, psychotic - hygiene is the first thing to go! How did they not learn this in school?!

Sorry for that rant - that just pissed me off what your doc said and reminded me of my own experiences.

It has been a huge comfort to find other people with this issue!
Thanks for this!
thickntired
  #72  
Old Mar 19, 2014, 03:29 PM
thickntired's Avatar
thickntired thickntired is offline
Poohbah
 
Member Since: Feb 2012
Location: South USA
Posts: 1,471
Thank you very much, icingurl. I felt belittled and bullied. My pdoc is not the most sensitive guy, but he takes medicare and where I live it's very limited in mental health facilities. You made me feel much better! I often forget, as I think a lot do, that I am paying this person, I deserve respect, and many "normal" ppl do not understand MI. I am very, very sensitive and often don't feel empowered to stick up for myself.

Tnt ♥

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk
__________________



There is a thin line that separates laughter and pain, comedy and tragedy, humor and hurt.

Erma Bombeck
Hugs from:
icinggurl
  #73  
Old Mar 19, 2014, 11:24 PM
hamster-bamster hamster-bamster is offline
Account Suspended
 
Member Since: Sep 2011
Location: Northern California
Posts: 14,805
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheatreKid View Post
I never realized this was a common thing. Before I got hit by bipolar I left for college at 7 every morning, was up at 5 to shower. Sometimes I would shower at school after dance class (it was a performing arts college). After bipolar it became harder. Then I started hormones for transgender 3 years ago and the bipolar went crazy. I'm lucky if I shower 3 times a week. It seriously feels like a major accomplishment every time I manage to take one.
Likewise, before bipolar hit, I had an elaborate skin care routine I did daily if not twice daily, for the face. Well, now I know, from dermatologists, that you do not need anything except for topical retinoids, so I am actually helping my face by not putting lotions, astringents, etc. on it, but the point remains - I used to be able to do elaborate routines to be squeaky clean, and now, even though I have concequered showering, I still have to conquer washing my hair regularly (I have a mass of easily "tanglable" hair, so washing, conditioning, and detangling it is hard work).
  #74  
Old Mar 20, 2014, 12:09 AM
grandmaof3 grandmaof3 is offline
Member
 
Member Since: Jan 2012
Location: virginia
Posts: 285
I've had this problem too. I'll run the water and just lean in and wash my hair rather than get in the shower. I take a normal shower about every other day. My 17 year old daughter is bipolar also. She showers 3 or 4 times a day using all the hot water each time. I wish she would develop an aversion to the shower.
__________________
Elizabeth

Geodon 80 mg qid
Zyprexa 5 mg daily
Wellbutrin 450 mg daily
Paxil 60 mg daily
Ativan 1 mg tid
Haldol 5 mg prn
Fanapt 12 mg bid
  #75  
Old Mar 20, 2014, 12:28 AM
hamster-bamster hamster-bamster is offline
Account Suspended
 
Member Since: Sep 2011
Location: Northern California
Posts: 14,805
Quote:
Originally Posted by grandmaof3 View Post
I've had this problem too. I'll run the water and just lean in and wash my hair rather than get in the shower. I take a normal shower about every other day. My 17 year old daughter is bipolar also. She showers 3 or 4 times a day using all the hot water each time. I wish she would develop an aversion to the shower.
maybe tell her that she is overdrying her skin, which is not good? The skin produces oils to protect itself, and showering more than once a day kills that protective layer on the skin.
Reply
Views: 33827

attentionThis is an old thread. You probably should not post your reply to it, as the original poster is unlikely to see it.




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:54 AM.
Powered by vBulletin® — Copyright © 2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.




 

My Support Forums

My Support Forums is the online community that was originally begun as the Psych Central Forums in 2001. It now runs as an independent self-help support group community for mental health, personality, and psychological issues and is overseen by a group of dedicated, caring volunteers from around the world.

 

Helplines and Lifelines

The material on this site is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider.

Always consult your doctor or mental health professional before trying anything you read here.