[Skywoulf]

First some background.......

now as we all know society wants us to bathe regularly, and wear lots of things that REALLY SMELL AWFUL. people who do not know the history of "Tiolet Water" (Eu D' Tiolet) will tell you that perfume deodorant etc was invented to be used after you bathe, when in fact it was invented in the olden days (not sure which century but in france I think) to cover the oder of having not bathed.

that being said we are pressured by advertising companies, social pressures etc to do this and use this awful stuff. now here is where you all will judge me, but I will say it anyway......

most folks I have talked to tell me that they feel refreshed when they get out of the shower/bath.

because of my depression etc I do not much care about my appearance, but what makes it worse is that when I take a shower/bath I feel like I have just been worked over by a thug with a baseball bat! and forget about cologne, I would rather stink like S*** than put that foul stuff on me so consequently I am not the cleanest/freshest smelling person because it is just SO HARD to step into that tiny ring with "Bubba" and his ball bat just to try to get clean. (and yes before you ask I drowned as a toddler, tho not to unconscness so I have a more than healthy respect for water, but not a fear of it.)

so here is the question I put to you the community:

I know that this post will get those judgemental looks, no worries I am used to it.

but......

am I the only one in the world that has this problem?

(sure feels like it, not to mention getting ostracized for the results of this whatever this is)

side note: just another twist of the downward spiral of the self strengthening lonliness/depression cycle.....

[MotownJohnny]

Probably not. Could be depression, could be just sensitivity to odors or chemicals. Your right to feel how you want about the topic.

With apologies from a guy who wears CK One.

[Thorn Bird]

I find it so much of an effort to bathe and wash my hair - although it is my morning ritual - but I really have to push myself - it's hard work - not a pleasure at all but I couldn't face with world without feeling clean and groomed - not through vanity but to give me confidence in myself.

[MotownJohnny]

I usually end up taking 2 or 3 showers a day, since I work out a lot and work in an office around clients. When in public, people who are dirty and smell kinda gross me out. I shouldn't be so judgmental, after learning this is a real issue in depression.

I do think it's important to be clean, well-groomed and well-dressed - it can be a real ego boost.

There is actually a HUGE thread here with MANY contributors about this same issue, I'll try to find it or just search "Hygiene" or some related term and you will be pleased to find an entire segment of PC peeps who share the same and even more. I'd also like to add that bathing/hygiene/grooming etc. in my opinion has gotton waaaay out of control. When toothpaste "Tooth Powder" was being peddled door to door by salesmen in the early 1900s, they had to tell people to use it "Once a week" because if a family bought some, it was mainly used for special events and occasions. Brides to this day carry a bouquet, which when the tradition first began was because bathing was rare and the bride did not want the groom to smell her natural scent, so the flowers would be held inbetween them. "Don't lose the baby in the bath water" is an idiom that initially began because a bath was a family event: The man of the house would get the first bath because he was presumed the dirtiest, then the woman, and going on down the line until the bathwater was so dirty that they said, "Don't lose the baby!" LOL! So perhaps you were just born into the wrong time but in this day and age...I think we all were lol. Happy is the man/woman whom does not condemn himself in what he approves. You are a grown person, do what you want!

[gayleggg]

I will say that since this last(long) bout of depression, it takes all my energy to make myself take a shower. And if I don't have anywhere to go I don't shower, of course, if I don't have to be somewhere I don't get out of bed either. I'm ashamed sometimes when I know I haven't bathed and feel like I should. I use to take one daily, without fail, but I'm so depressed right now I don't care about anything. I used to never go out without makeup either, but it's like I don't care anymore about anything.

[MotownJohnny]

Brush your teeth once a week. They all lost their teeth early ... Go figure. Blech

[Skywoulf]

again risking judgemental looks, I never leave the house. even when sometimes (1 or 2 times a month) I do get out I have lost track of time/days/weeks that I don't know what day of the month it is, or day of the week. and so yes sometimes I have forgotten to climb into the ring with "Bubba and his ball bat" since.........

I cannot remember the last time

[Skywoulf]

Originally Posted by MotownJohnny

Brush your teeth once a week. They all lost their teeth early ... Go figure. Blech

lost all of my teeth when I was 30....... go figure

[NWgirl2013]

Getting cleaned up gives me a boost, so when I am down I make an extra effort, even if I'm not leaving the house. I do this for myself.
About fragrances though,....I am allergic to anything with perfume in it. So that means I use a natural shampoo instead of soap, yes I am even allergic to soap! Any other product, from hair products to skin products, have to be fragrance free.
So when I get clean, I just get clean, not all perfumed up... And I smell like me, naturally sweet and lovely

I found one of the threads but this is not the main one I am referring to which had many more pages but its a start http://forums.psychcentral.com/schiz...6-hygiene.html

Edit: Found it lol this is the one that I think is more active http://forums.psychcentral.com/bipol...wer-today.html

[Poppy Princess]

The only thing hard for me is brushing my teeth. I always take 2 showers a day

[mimi2112]

Originally Posted by Lightbulb7Seven

I found one of the threads but this is not the main one I am referring to which had many more pages but its a start http://forums.psychcentral.com/schiz...6-hygiene.html

Edit: Found it lol this is the one that I think is more active http://forums.psychcentral.com/bipol...wer-today.html

I think the other thread on this subject is called, " I hate showers"

I know I posted in a couple of these threads about this issue. Some of us also have panic attacks around taking showers, I used to have panic attacks in the shower..
Currently my main prob. is that I lack motivation, but I force myself and it does boost my confidence.

I don't agree with societies push to be overly clean and perfumed. My attraction to the opposite sex has a lot to do with his natural scent.

On the other hand I have been really turned off when around someone w/ body odor and bad breath.

I think it's all about balance.

ETA: found it: "I hate Showers"

http://forums.psychcentral.com/depre...e-showers.html

[Skywoulf]

Originally Posted by NWgirl2013

Getting cleaned up gives me a boost, so when I am down I make an extra effort, even if I'm not leaving the house. I do this for myself.
About fragrances though,....I am allergic to anything with perfume in it. So that means I use a natural shampoo instead of soap, yes I am even allergic to soap! Any other product, from hair products to skin products, have to be fragrance free.
So when I get clean, I just get clean, not all perfumed up... And I smell like me, naturally sweet and lovely

about that "Natural Smell", there is nothing like it in the world, and most of the time I think someone who has their own smell rather than commercial stinks smells heavenly to me. so kudos to you!

[Trippin2.0]

The will to groom is out the door when I'm depressed, although I do force myself into a luxurious bubble bath as it does make me feel pampered, and thus a little better.

I also think that being pressured to have multiple showers a day is ridiculous, like just how dirty do these people get?? (I'm sure Motown is in the minority with his daily routine, so not referring to those scenarios).

I find it offensive if I'm subjected to bad body odour, like when I was on an early morning train and I smelt pickled onions! I think if people don't mind their own stench that's cool, but be considerate of others ya know?
That beng said, I do find it stupid that people get judged for not being freshly showered 24/7. Imagine my water and electicity bill if I had 3 baths a day... Not to mention a bath is a 2hr ritual where I'm concerned (and no I dont spend the whole 2 hrs inside the tub )
Thats 6 hrs dedicated to bathing, where do I find the time I ask???.
To each his own I say.

What you said about feeling battered after a shower struck a nerve with me. I always wondered why I loathe taking a shower and will ALWAYS opt for a bath.

One day not too long ago I was forced to shower because my sister's tub was being replaced, and I stood there in that shower, concentrating, really thinking what is it that I hate about taking a shower...

Turns out its a sensory issue for me, I don't have any sensory issues that I've been diagnosed with, but a shower is just wayyy too overwhelming. Idk how people stay in there longer than 10minutes. I literally scrub and run. All those droplets hitting me all at once everywhere is just too much for me to bare for too long, and always leaves me feeling battered and needing some kind of comfort / reprieve...

Have you considered not showering and opting for a bath, or even a *ahem "*****s bath", or "cowboy splash", you know where you basically just make the sign of the cross, getting to the important bits? It may be more suited to your needs, and may make bathing less offputting for you...

That's the one Mimi! Thanks!

[Skywoulf]

Originally Posted by Trippin2.0

The will to groom is out the door when I'm depressed, although I do force myself into a luxurious bubble bath as it does make me feel pampered, and thus a little better.

I also think that being pressured to have multiple showers a day is ridiculous, like just how dirty do these people get?? (I'm sure Motown is in the minority with his daily routine, so not referring to those scenarios).

I find it offensive if I'm subjected to bad body odour, like when I was on an early morning train and I smelt pickled onions! I think if people don't mind their own stench that's cool, but be considerate of others ya know?
That beng said, I do find it stupid that people get judged for not being freshly showered 24/7. Imagine my water and electicity bill if I had 3 baths a day... Not to mention a bath is a 2hr ritual where I'm concerned (and no I dont spend the whole 2 hrs inside the tub )
Thats 6 hrs dedicated to bathing, where do I find the time I ask???.
To each his own I say.

What you said about feeling battered after a shower struck a nerve with me. I always wondered why I loathe taking a shower and will ALWAYS opt for a bath.

One day not too long ago I was forced to shower because my sister's tub was being replaced, and I stood there in that shower, concentrating, really thinking what is it that I hate about taking a shower...

Turns out its a sensory issue for me, I don't have any sensory issues that I've been diagnosed with, but a shower is just wayyy too overwhelming. Idk how people stay in there longer than 10minutes. I literally scrub and run. All those droplets hitting me all at once everywhere is just too much for me to bare for too long, and always leaves me feeling battered and needing some kind of comfort / reprieve...

Have you considered not showering and opting for a bath, or even a *ahem "*****s bath", or "cowboy splash", you know where you basically just make the sign of the cross, getting to the important bits? It may be more suited to your needs, and may make bathing less offputting for you...

actually, we have no tub here, and as for the sponge bath..... I am currently recovering from an infected wound in my neither regions so sponge bath is the ONLY option.

what I was origionally posting was the question Does anyone else feel like taking a shower when all you have to look forword to "Bubba and his ball bat" in a 3 foot by 3 foot closet. the fact that unlike most folks I literally feel like I need to go to the ER for the beating I took when I get out of the shower, weather I spent 10 minutes or 2 hours (happens once in awhile) in that closet with Bubba.

[NWgirl2013]

Yes, I see. No I don't feel hammered/beaten from a bath or shower. I'm so sorry you do. Makes me wonder a little...why it hurts so much. Sorry it does.
I only hurt from the effort sometimes...

[Skywoulf]

Originally Posted by NWgirl2013

Yes, I see. No I don't feel hammered/beaten from a bath or shower. I'm so sorry you do. Makes me wonder a little...why it hurts so much. Sorry it does.
I only hurt from the effort sometimes...

I gave up wondering a long time ago. now I wonder "Am I the only one?"

I mean I can see visually that there is not a mark on me, but I really feel like I have taken a beating.

[Ghaperat]

without fail, but I'm so depressed right now I don't care about anything