brushing my teeth is a feat, and I am not even depressed

When I am depressed, and not working, brushing my teeth is sometimes just too much to conquer, for days. But even when not depressed, I find difficulty with activities that other people go through automatically, mindlessly, without effort. I have read someplace that done very carefully, toothbrushing once a day is enough. Good, so I do it through and through in the morning and I only use fluoride mouthrinse at night. Flossing? Part of a past life. Nil.
Washing my face and putting cream to counteract acne which is a side effect of my psych meds - a major ordeal. It takes two minutes total, why is it so damn difficult and daunting for ME? How do other women use elaborate daily make-up routines if I cannot manage mascara for the need to take it off at night when my motivation is generally nil? Is it part of the disorder (bipolar) or just a negative quirk?

I'm not diagnosed as bipolar, but have the same problem. I have zero motivation for much.

I go thru the same issues. Even when I'm not seriously depressed I have a hard time with the day to day routines like showering, putting face cream on, brushing my teeth. It gets worse the more depressed I get. Matter of fact those things are a sign for me that my depression is coming back. And sometimes its just plain hard to motivate myself to get those things done.

I don't think I'm depressed though I'm not certain and I find certain daily tasks a huge effort. It's so much easier to fall into bed than take make up off and brush teeth. But thankfully I do it anyway. Somehow I find the energy despite feeling no motivation. I'm always relieved when I have achieved this!

Hi Natayla! It's something else, how much pressure society puts on men and women. Especially when it comes to women and appearance. When you think about it, we are expected to shave about 75% of our body and what we don't shave we have to tweeze wax and cut to maintain. We are supposed to brush our teeth 2-3 times a day with mouthwash and floss. We're expected to make our hair nice and neat (and for someone who lives in an extremely humid climate and pretty frizzy hair as it is, it takes at least 30 minutes). We are expected to do our makeup which in order for it to all come together and look natural again it takes foundation, powder, mascara, blush and something for your lips. We are expected to be very thin but somehow still keep our rear end and chest.

When you think about how much time and energy we are expected to put into our daily routine just to keep society happy, if we did it all we would only have 30 minutes left of the day to actually enjoy it. It seems to take just as long to do a thorough facial cleaning at the end of the night as it does to apply the makeup.

So basically what I do, I do what I enjoy and very minimal of the rest. I don't like to shower, I will admit it. The shower has always made me really dizzy. I love baths but the shower I could go without if I wouldn't stink. So I shower once a day and unless I'm shaving, I make it as quick as possible. I don't spend time doing my nails or obsessing over my weight (anymore).

I brush my teeth at least once a day. Every 2-3 days I brush it twice that day. If my breath doesn't feel "fresh" I will brush my teeth which normally happens every couple days. But I do brush them daily in the mornings. I do not floss I hate mouth wash! So I brush good and thorough. I floss if something is in my teeth, other than that I don't floss.

I spend the majority of my time on my makeup and hair. I actually enjoy it. My boyfriend does his own thing when I do my makeup and it's just "thinking time" for me. It's kind of peaceful in a way. It's mostly the only genuinely alone time I have. When my daughter joins though it's fun. But it's me time and I like it.

I guess everyone is different. But if we spent our time doing everything we are "supposed to do" to keep society happy, we would never find time to live. So we sacrifice one thing so we can focus more energy on the things we enjoy the most. Well I do at least, in this aspect of course!

I have the same issues, shower 15 min 20 max... can't do it, embarising but i will go 3 days or so dirty, thank god i don't work. ( on disability). Brushing my teeth, no intrest and can't do it, come on it just takes 2 minutes. What is wrong with me. Make up, yeah right, not doin that and it only takes 5 minutes. dishes, 7 min. laundry, 10 minutes can't do it!! Before i was diagnosed I had very good hygiene however after my dagnosis this all began so YES i do think it is bipolar

Everyone, thank you for support, commiseration, and pointing out possible solutions.

Almond Joy, I work (used to be on disability for a long time too), AND do not shower every day. But I gather, I only sit in front of the computer at work, no physical exertion, what can make me so sweaty? I shower after swimming, for a few minutes, and there in the pool it is like a natural continuation, it does not fell like, you know, a CHORE. And now that you wrote about how you used to be, me too, many years ago, not with make-up (I did not need it back then), but with skin care regimen, I was squaky clean, probably too much so, and did not mind the routine at all. So thank you for bringing up that it is likely the diagnosis.

PurpleFlyingMonkeys, I hate shaving, I am with you. I shaved my legs today for a yoga class and it was, like, CHECKMARK. I do not shave the gams as a rule, I live with no one, only for occasions. And the big thing to share: I did laser hair removal and in 4 sessions my armpit hair is completely gone! It is so liberating - can put on a tank and not worry about it. I hate the culture that makes us remove the armpit hair, but I have to live by its customs, so I endured a little bit of pain and a substantial expense to make the hair be gone. Much recommended. Now I joke about myself that I am so fat that my underarms would not reveal any hair anyway, but heck, one thing at a time, losing weight will be the next. I am starting the laser on the legs next month.

The only thing I make sure I do a proper job of is wiping my bum

This whole thread has just made my day!

I'm thrilled to hear I'm not alone. It takes all my strength just to do what I MUST do, like feed my kids, self care is to much work.

Wow i thought i was the only one!!! Its sucks, but its great to know thats its not just me that missed the basic hygiene class lol

I have bipolar with very low depression but when i feel fine its hard for me to do those things. Its like no motivation! I brush my teeth in the morning but rarely at night (and i work in the dental field!!)
I just try n wear cute sweats As i can find and a tshirt n dress it up with a cardigan! My hair is pretty long but 98% of the time tied in a bun ontop my head!

I too go days w/o showering...less when im normal, too long way too long when im depressed. Tho i do actually put deodarant on everyday!

My friends used to be like ur so crazy..lol how do u not shower or brush ur teeth, etc. I guess i dont really mind....not to be narcissistic or anything but ppl call me attractive a lot so hey it works 4 me lol

I alwYs wonder tho...i see ladies that have their hair done, jeAns or whatever cute outfits, cute shoes EVERYDAY am im just lile how the hell does she have the motivation to do that every damn day?!

The way I see it is - people in the US take waaayyyy too many showers. I don't think we were meant to take a shower everyday anyway. It strips our skin of the necessary oils it needs. I take a shower every other day and feel just fine. As for brushing teeth, this is a whole other matter for me (I have always had an acidic mouth which causes many cavities) so I brush probably 3-4 times a day just because the pain of a toothache doesn't thrill me at all!!!!! I have had depression at various times in my life. I know what it feels like to not want to get up and do something. I started taking a lot of vitamins and voila!!!! they helped me to feel soooo much better and able to deal with life again! If you are able to afford vitamins, I'd say to give it a try and see what happens! Hope that helps

For me people challenged with toothbrushing, like me, I can offer what to me is a solution: xylitol products from http://www.epicdental.com/. Xylitol has been proven to prevent cavities. I get a mouth rinse, which unlike Listerine and similar products, has a lovely taste, get a toothpaste (that has fluoride too besides xylitol) and get gum, which you are supposed to chew for 1 minute to get the benefit but I chew until I get bored. All those things help prevent cavities, and so far my teeth do not ache even though I have not seen a dentist forever.

Who would argue that swishing a mouth rinse is easier than flossing? So while one does not replace the other, at least I get some benefit instead of none at all.

Hahaha!This thread is fantastic. I hate brushing my teeth and usually do it thoroughly every evening. I wear no make up unless I am working and/or looking so pale that people ask me if I am feeling alright. I bath once or twice a week and don't shower at all. If I get particularly stinky in the in-between times I will use a flannel. Bum-wiping is mostly unremarkable so - no need to ge there really .

It's not a very interesting thing to do? What happens if you don't wash your face a time or two? Not much unless it's truly dirty; you haven't been eating any chocolate lately have you my husband gets chocolate all over himself.

Pick your battles. I don't wear any make up at all, don't use any cream for my acne, sometimes try to eat better or counteract things that way. . .or not.

Make a list of what you really want to do and work on those things. Let the bed go unmade or the laundry get unwashed for one more day so you can curl up in bed with a good book?

Most of the daily things we do, they just have to be done over and over and that gets tedious. Who really cares if the bed doesn't get made this morning; tomorrow morning it can be made and will be like it always has been. You don't have to slip, just because you don't feel like doing chores; yes it sometimes seems like if you don't make the bed, the next time you have to get out of it early in the morning, it feels like it is harder than last time; but that's that moment's problem.

No one regrets when they're 90, not having washed their face one more time? Your teeth won't drop out if you only brush them four or five times a week (like me :-) I have all my teeth, in good order, and I'm 61. Yes, I go to the dentist every six months for professional cleaning and checkup. Yes, I have good teeth to begin with. Decide what you can live with, don't let the chores make that decision for you.

I don't have kids. I think I would be a horrible mother. I just can't see myself going on playdates, getting involved in sports, helping with homework. I'm at the point it is so hard to "do things" that I am out of work. I started running around in circles at work and not get anything done. That went on for about a year before i went totally out of control last month and ended up in the hospital. Lately I have been putting on makeup but, yeah, it's very difficult.

To sum up this thread, it is quite a widespread concern!!