[jesusplay]

I haven't brushed my teeth is over 7 days....might go 2 -3 days a week on average without brushing.

bathing is the same, I could shower every day of the week, then one week shower 6 out of 7 days, then 5 out of 7 days, then rarely go a week without showering.

I'm 21 and I realized or I feel it's pointless, it's a waste of time, I don't care, it takes to much effort.

no one ever says I smell, no one else cares.

Just started doing this over the last year, I just don't care anymore.

Also been battling depression.

Is it a mental problem to not care about hygiene?

[H3rmit]

Originally Posted by jesusplay

I feel it's pointless, it's a waste of time, I don't care, it takes to much effort.

no one ever says I smell, no one else cares.

Just started doing this over the last year, I just don't care anymore.

Also been battling depression.

Is it a mental problem to not care about hygiene?

It can be an indicator, but not proof of, ie your depressdion could be getting worse.

It's a small chore to floss and brush daily. If you live to be 40+ or even 30+, brushing daily now will likely save you a lot of pain and/or expense later. Taking care of your body is a useful habit. Trust me, you don't want dentures. Not caring for this leads to pain, cost, and dentures and more pain. Being wise is so much nicer. I realize you don't care right now, but at some point logic and practical matters become relevant.

[candidog]

I totally understand and I was that way for about the past year also. I would only bath once a week and brushed my teeth once a day.

I ended up going to my Psychiatrist to get some help.

They changed my meds and it really made a big difference in my life. It seems the meds I was on was making me depressed and once I got on the new ones I feel better and I hate being dirty. Wow what a change! I get out more and my husband likes me more and hugs me more which is so important for people like us.

You may want to consult your doctor for a possible change in meds or an additional med to help with the way you are feeling. Take Care!

[Inedible]

Apples and cheese are good for your teeth. It isn't the same as brushing, but it helps. I think there may be other foods as well.

[ECHOES]

Originally Posted by jesusplay

I haven't brushed my teeth is over 7 days....might go 2 -3 days a week on average without brushing.

bathing is the same, I could shower every day of the week, then one week shower 6 out of 7 days, then 5 out of 7 days, then rarely go a week without showering.

I'm 21 and I realized or I feel it's pointless, it's a waste of time, I don't care, it takes to much effort.

no one ever says I smell, no one else cares.

Just started doing this over the last year, I just don't care anymore.

Also been battling depression.

Is it a mental problem to not care about hygiene?

Why is it pointless? What thought comes to mind when you consider bathing or brushing your teeth?

People generally do not comment on others' hygiene. That doesn't mean that they don't notice. Social etiquette means they don't comment.

Do you wish others would notice?

I think it is very related to your depression and your thoughts about yourself. Hygiene is more about how we appear to others, it is a statement about how much we care about ourselves. It is about health - avoiding bacterial infections and preserving our teeth.

If you are not already, I hope you will consider psychotherapy to help your life to feel better.

[avlady]

I also suggest you get into some type of therapy, you're probably depressed, and that was one of the first tell tale signs when i first got sick. I did't feel like brushing my teeth, but also couldn't take care of myself right. not showering is bad, but it can make you feel alot better once you actulally take the shower. I say take a shower and brush your teeth after the shower, you be so glad you did, washing off dead skin that builds up on our systems is a great way to stay healthy too.

[Rachel D]

i too am having these issues. finally i was raged at for my lack of a bath. took ONE and now back to the same pattern. going to a therapist is currently out of the question due to lack of funds and in my area it takes over 200 bucks to get in the door. i am currently seeking disability but even if i get it (current time table will be over a year for a court case) it will take over two years to cover medical or mental health.

[CharactorAssassin]

For me not bathing etc was caused by constipation and fatigue caused by the medication.
If your are unclean after #2 your more likely to shower. Its a chain reaction where you are not to blame. Its the medication sucking the life out of you maybe.

[1776]

I'm the same way. I'm alone. Hygiene isn't a priority.

[Fuzzybear]

Originally Posted by jesusplay

Is it a mental problem to not care about hygiene?

You're depressed. So that's why you don't feel like brushing your teeth. But you should try to brush your teeth so you won't have to go to the dentist and get cavities drilled.

[Vossie42]

I can sympathize. Daily chores such as bathing, brushing teeth, washing dishes, etc. are such drudgery. There are precious few things I want to do everyday.

That said, I at least floss my teeth with one of those plastic picks everyday. Getting the food out from between the teeth can help prevent tooth decay. Others are right about the importance of taking care of your teeth so that you won't lose them later. Dentures don't sound like fun, and dental implants cost around $3,000 per tooth.

I find that Crest Pro-Health mouthwash does a good job of keeping my breath fresh and teeth un-fuzzy after brushing. I also find that brushing my tongue cuts down on the amount of bacteria in my mouth that causes tooth decay and bad breath. In a pinch, I'll use a paper towel or washcloth to wipe down my tongue. Just a few quick and easy things to do to promote oral hygiene.

[dg1983]

I think it's a symptom of depression too. I can also relate to that. I used to have a job that required me to have extremely good hygiene. Now that I am a student and it is easy to get away with not looking done up or even bathe at all, I can honestly say I bathe like once a week--I brush my teeth on and off here and there. I used to love bathing, putting on makeup. But I also feel there is no point. I'm not going to meet anyone new, I'm not going to run into anyone I used to know, and if I did I wouldn't want to see them anyways.

The problem is that I think I've developed skin problems and scalp problems because of bad hygiene...I am pretty sure I have seborrheic dermatitis and now no matter how much I wash my hair now, it smells so nasty after a few hours--So now I am paying the price for my negligence I guess. It's gotten better after using medicated shampoos but yeah my point is to try and not let it get the hygiene get so bad to the point where you can actually smell yourself smelling bad lol.

Sorry if this is TMI.

[possum220]

Lack of looking after your hygiene is linked to depression. It seems like you have more success with showering. How about brushing your teeth in the shower? Also chewing sugar free gum can help. Avoiding decaying teeth will help your self esteem later in life.

Take Care

[porcelainchild]

When i am struggling i tend to not have the motivation to bath and wash teeth, but i make myself cos i know it will make me feel better as in cleaner..

Claire..

[ptangptang]

I sympathise with you , yeah i cant motivate myself to do things like washing up and bathing. But, and it's a big butt. I always clean my teeth. With an electric toothbrush it takes virtually no effort at all. If you're going to floss or rinse with a mouth wash or eat a piece of cheese you might as well just clean your teeth. Otherwise you'll end up like Gollum....GLUM

[Moodsurfer]

I feel the same, I have not had a shower in days or cleaned my teeth I feel worthless and totally rubbish ATM I cant get the energy in the morning and feel so depressed x

IMO .. What you're going through is not completely unusual, but then again it isn't normal for a person to feel that there's no point taking care of their hygiene. I feel that you should talk to a psychiatrist who can help you determine the root cause of your depression. Take care & good luck.

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by possum220

Lack of looking after your hygiene is linked to depression. It seems like you have more success with showering. How about brushing your teeth in the shower? Also chewing sugar free gum can help. Avoiding decaying teeth will help your self esteem later in life.

Take Care

That is a great advice, but sugar free gum alone will not help - sugar free gum will just be harmless. To actually help the situation, gum needs to contain Xylitol, which has been proven to prevent cavities.

I get Xylitol-containing products from Epic Dental LLC
Xylitol Products - Xylitol Gum, Xylitol Mints and More from Epic Dental - I have searched online, a lot, and they offer the best value. I get toothpaste and mouth rinse, too.

It does help.

Jesus, to your question - I cannot tell you how often this is in bipolar and some other illness and it is SO often, as per self-reports on this board, that I am surprised that it is not officially part of the symptom lists in the DSM (or is it, for depression?). At any rate, you are so very clearly not alone, so very clearly not alone...

For your reading pleasure, fishing out of my inbox in which I receive thread updates:

1) You are subscribed to the thread "Why Don't I Want To Shower/Bathe?????" by Cocosurviving, there have been 8 post(s) to this thread, the last poster was hamster-bamster.
Why Don't I Want To Shower/Bathe????? - Forums at Psych Central

2) You are subscribed to the thread "bipolar and the dreaded shower..." by Lyric_dawn, there have been 13 post(s) to this thread, the last poster was hamster-bamster.
bipolar and the dreaded shower... - Forums at Psych Central

These following posts were made to the thread:
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bipolar and the dreaded shower...
bipolar and the dreaded shower... - Forums at Psych Central
Posted by: Lyric_dawn
On: 11-13-2012 02:40 PM

Hi all, Im new but I have a deep problem. I only feel safe coming out with it here. I have trouble getting motivated to shower when depressed. Its been a week for me and i feel disgusting. does anyone suffer from this?
************
Re: bipolar and the dreaded shower...
bipolar and the dreaded shower... - Forums at Psych Central
Posted by: roxiesmom333
On: 11-13-2012 06:22 PM

3) You are subscribed to the thread "I took a shower today!" by BlueInanna, there have been 1 post(s) to this thread, the last poster was purpledaisy.
http://forums.psychcentral.com/bipol...wer-today.html

These following posts were made to the thread:
************
Re: I took a shower today! _ THE MOST VIEWED BIPOLAR SUCCESS STORY
http://forums.psychcentral.com/bipol...ml#post2924302
Posted by: purpledaisy
On: 03-03-2013 01:45 PM

Went 4 days without a shower again.

This is just on the shower issue. Need to search for the mentions of lack of tooth brushing.

[Ladyzero]

I have been there / am there too. A shower is pointless sometimes, and when depressed, it's a HUGE challenge. Why bother ? Who cares ? Do I give a f ? So what ? The list is endless, I know ! I've been there, and unless I feel rank, I rarely shower, even now. As in 3 days without a shower when you see no one, have no reason to, then SO WHAT. Go camping in the outback, and no one showers daily ! SO WHAT ? Don't worry about it !
Yes, I used to be a wide awake at dawn woman, showered daily and ready to go. Hair done, make up, suit on. Hey ho, I became ill, a year in bed. Teeth and showers became unimportant, on a huge basis. Don't tell me, it mattered because I simply DIDN'T CARE ! I never knew if it was raining, snowing , or sunny. I never looked. The bathroom was used when neccesary simply. Sure, a shower/teeth clean feels good, but DON'T beat yourself up, if it didn't happen. The big D robs us of so many things. I might shower tomorrow, I might not. SO WHAT ? Who cares ? I don't ! ! ! So no one tell me, I should ! (for respect to myself etc)
Just my story, not to ambush the thread. Just to say: It doesn't matter ! Baby steps to recover, and P.G. those things, will return, in time. Sorry to waffle.