Taking lots of showers

I have this strange want to take a couple/few showers a day. I know this cannot be normal. I have to refrain myself from taking more than a couple of showers a day. Worrying about the water bill is all that stops me. If I let myself I'd probably take up to 5 showers a day.
Is anyone familiar with this strange urge to take lots of showers?

Hi Jax,

It happens with OCD. That wasn't one of my problems, but it happens. Medication and counseling can really help. I hope you feel better soon.

Hugs,

Jan

Jax,

I went through that same thing with baths. I guess knowing what's behind the drive might help to pinpoint why it's a drive.

I know for me it was an escape...complete escape and privacy...if just for a bit.

Do you know the "feeling" you get from it, or that makes you want to? That might be a place to start.

When I started making time for myself alone, and demanding that I be left alone, the urges calmed. I found better ways to obtain what was being craved/needed.

GL!

KD

I take many baths a day for sometimes and have been for years and years. but it has nothing to do with having OCD and so on. I have found that taking baths are very relaxing for me. My friends all know that it is not a strange thing to call me and catch me in the bath tub wearing a bathing suit and reading a book, or writing or drawing and so on. I have even been known to pull the tv around the corner so that I could watch tv while relaxing in a nice bath.I also listen to my relaxation cd's and tapes while in the bath.

Taking many baths cant hurt a person other than drying out their skin. But I use body lotion and bath oils to take care of that.

I also take many showers. It is so relaxing standing or sitting under a warm - hot shower. Feels like getting a massage only for free.

I see nothing wrong with taking as many baths and showers as you want to. and each of my 19 therapists I have had over the years have highly recommended baths and showers in the therapy process.

I can understand that if it's your choice it is as normal as daylight and can be relaxing, but I don't think it's all that healthy if the underlying causes is negative, that just means that you have not dealt with certain things or that you might have an illness, ie OCD... In the end it can get horribly out of hand if it is not controlled and as KD said, understanding the underlying factors that cause it... If it is something like OCD it might well start to spill over into the rest of your life... It might also be a sign of abuse, people who were abuse, especially sexually, are more likely to develop a compulsion toward cleanliness... be it your own body or your environment...

Hi,
I'm pretty sure it is a theraputic kind of a thing more than something that's compulsive. It relaxes me, the hot water helps to relieve the tension my back muscles and the steam from the shower soothes my sinuses. I guess it's like a mini spa break and I like taking a lot of them.
Thank you for your input. It doesn't seem so whacky to me anymore.
Myself, your taking a bath with a bathing suit on made me laugh.

Do you feel dirty? Or does it relax you?

I tend to want to take shower/baths. Shower, clean body . . . then rinse the whole bath area to decootify it . . . then fill up tub with hot water to soak for about 30 minutes. I'd do this everyday if it weren't for my itchy skin. It's a great coping mech.

I take at least two showers or baths a day. I do this because i feel dirty with germs and pollution.

I also have OCD. Maybe you should think about the fact that you may have this disorder

I don't necessarily have this problem with taking showers, but I do have a similar problem with washing my hands. Sometimes I'll wash my hands 50-100 times a day (we run out of hand soap very quickly ). I've had this problem for as long as I can remember. It does a lot of damage to the skin on my hands (right now they have cuts all over and severe dry skin). I also have OCD so I agree with cynicalsierra when she says you may want to consider the fact that you might also have OCD.

Hi Jax
i dont have the urge too much to take lots of showers cos i hate having to get out of them but i can spend ages in the shower when i get the chance. when i can i can comfortably spend at least 40 minutes in the shower because i find its like a safe place for me. it really calms me down. i know the door is locked, i have no immediate responsibilities, its clean, its warm (which is very important), its soothing on my skin and the sound of water is soothing and did i mention its clean? :
when i have to get out because the water runs cold or something if i have the chance i sometimes end up curling up in a ball with a big fluffy towel completely surrounding me (head included) because i get the same feeling. safe, warm, soothing smell and fabric on skin etc. plus both the shower and under the towel are small spaces which i like. its like closing myself in.
anyways. maybe that wasnt what you were talking about and ive just made a total fool of myself. oh well. im sure people knew that already and i feel better just thinking about it!
sorry if i got it wrong.
take care
biiv