Random Question: Why don't WE want to shower?

I'm not sure if OP means why do people prefer a bath to a shower or why do they not want to wash at all. However depressed I am, I always, always wash. I can't bear being personally dirty. I take a bath every morning and a bath every night without fail. When I'm depressed the house suffers big time though. I just stop cleaning, stop washing clothes, don't even bother to clean out the hamster, poor little sod. It's just personal cleanliness that I can maintain.

Darvula

This is a new phobia for me. It started shortly after I was in a car wreck in October. When I'm in the shower, I feel like I'm sort of drowning and sometimes I have panic attacks. I started washing my hair every other day now, just so I can get out quickly.

Oddly enough, I remember my mother had the same fear. I never understood it until now. I don't know if it's connected to the car accident or not, but that's when it started.

It became difficult for me about 20 years ago after my best friend died and I became very depressed. I picked it up after that but then after being forced off benzos it's very difficult plus with the back pain. I'm hoping I can get a shower seat soon. I can't even wash my hair in the shower anymore. I have to do it separately in the kitchen sink.

Shower is never better than sex!!! even the most luxurious ones. Spa on the other hand, then I might pass on the sex...!

Taking a shower involves seeing my fat body (used to be thin my whole life, so it's hard). I also have to dry my hair, and that's a pain. I'd rather wear a hat.

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I do not know if that is true, but one of my teachers (for whom hair care was a priority) told me many years ago that it is better for the hair to be washed in a tub of water, than under running shower water. Water per my teacher needs to be changed several times, but having the hair fully submerged in water with shampoo is better than pouring water on it. I do not know what it was that made basically giving the hair a bath better than sprinkling it with water. I can ask. I think that the idea is that you first have the shampoo dissolve in the water fully and then have the shampoo solution coat the strands of hair evenly. When you put shampoo on one spot and work up a later from it, it is not as even as the tub method - some strands will be better coated than others. At least that is the only explanation that seems to make sense.

I think it's also because water stretches the hair so the falling water puts stress on the strands causing more fallout. I use conditioner to wash my hair because shampoo is extremely harsh and drying and damages hair.

Oh, now I see!! Yes, that is similar to how my teacher explained it - a physical reason. I should try avoiding falling water, too. I already wash with conditioner only most of the time. I do use an SLS-free shampoo occasionally - Costco has the best deal on salon-quality SLS-free shampoo. Kirkland brand, called "professional quality moisture shampoo" - basically, a private label.

Always use sulfate-free shampoo. Much better for the hair. I have long hair, and regular shampoo really dries it out.
Anyway, I have worked in health-care for 15 years, before I was diagnosed with BP and became so sick that I could not work much at all. One thing that is a sign of depression is poor ADL(Activities of Daily Living). Having a hard time with personal hygiene, among other things. And showers are very often on top of that list. Taking a shower is made up of a lot of smaller tasks, that put together easily becomes overwhelming. And some decision-making is thrown in there also. (Do I wash my hair, and if I do, then that includes a bit of extra work also - extra maintenance post-shower...). And of course, in addition to an overwhelming sequence of small tasks, comes the various phobias and anxieties that comes along with standing naked in a small cubicle with water falling down on your body. Poor body-image is also a factor that makes taking a shower unpleasant. For me, I sometimes just take a sponge-bath, if the whole shower-thing becomes too much of an undertaking. Better to do that than to spend all morning obsessing about showering.

I got a bathrobe at Ikea. For $20. Now instead of having the CHORE of drying off with a towel after taking a shower, I have the PLEASURE of wrapping myself in a bathrobe. Such a small thing made such a big difference.

Adding new hair-products and nice new towels helps motivate me. But it can get a bit expensive in the long run... I love expeimenting with hair-products ( I am very vain about my hair, I know...), so the exitement of that just might get me into the shower!

I have to cut my hair again because when it's longer (and it looks better longer on me) it's harder to wash in the sink with my head pitched forward. Showering will hopefully be easier once I make changes like a shower seat and shower head. I don't know how to do a sponge bath without getting water all over the floor.

I shower every day and they always make me feel better. Make up on the other hand- on bad days I don't bother. I have a super short pixie hair cut which I love bc then I don't have to style it and it still looks cute.

Short hair is an option, but I am not ready to go for that. Spent my childhood with a boycut (very 70`s, thats when I came into this world). So now as an adult I have turned into such a girly-girl. Maybe not the intended effect my mother hoped it would have...

Okay, it's really comforting I am not the only one who has experienced this issue. I didn't even realize that these could possibly be related.

MI and difficulties with hygiene, diet and exercise is very closely related. When journaling, I think we should include it on our lists of symptoms. But I really dont think one needs to take a shower every day. Unless some issue with bad B.O., or sweating or a lot of physical activity. Sponge-baths really do make one pretty clean. And it is less overwhelming and actually a lot better for the skin.

Finally forced myself to take a long hot shower today & even washed my hair-OMG I feel pretty human now-my mood is better too. I think my higher dose of Prozac for my OCD is helping to keep me from sliding into a depressive episode-I'm not as irritable today too-Yay the miracles of personal hygiene!

I'm already the type of person who doesn't care about appearance. But when I'm depressed, I'll not shower for 3 days or so, until my hair gets so greasy that it becomes a nuisance. I suppose not showering is partly due to my personality.

It's strange, post-shower I always feel better — even with the FMS symptoms — because I feel clean. And I feel good about it. And then I tell myself I won't wait so long next time, that from then on I'll shower regularly. Then... I don't know what happens. I suppose all the reasons given in this thread are what happens.

It's so awesome that this topic came up because I have this problem too. I never realized others out there had the same problem. It's nice to know I'm not alone.

Same here with cleaning counter tops in the kitchen. They look so nice clean and I make promises to myself to wipe them daily to enjoy seeing clean shiny counter tops, but break the promises, and...

I don't think that I'll ever say this again but... I just showered at a yacht club. Oooooooh

I'll be getting a shower seat very soon now! I just have to wait for my friend to bring it over.

Happy for you Angelique! I am sure it will make difference!

Yes! Thank you. This weekend there is no hot water here and I'm upset. I hope it will be back on by tomorrow!!!