Hate to shower

Hi-

That's depression for ya- it takes everything out of you. Last year, when I was in a deep depression, the best I could do was shower every 2 days. I literally had to force myself to do it. What was strange is that I always felt better after I did it. Yet, I didn't want to do it. Don't be so hard on yourself.

Do you see a counselor? Take medication? Exercise regularly? Have you been in this place before and if so what has helped you get out of it?

We are all here to help you through this time.

Hang in there.
Michele

hi dysphoria,

so glad to read your post, as that is something i deal with. i used to love to shower, now it is a daily struggle. in my case, i more or less have to do it, since i have a job to go to.

i don't have any magic solution to your problem. what i do is just go for it - start the shower and get in and before you know it, i am done.

i wish you good luck.

(more)

i have noticed, for myself, that there are parts of the shower i hate, parts i am indifferent to, and parts i like. perhaps if you break it down this way. the part i like is the afterwards when i feel clean and relaxed. i force myself through the other parts to get to the good part.

One thing my therapist recommends is showering and getting dressed even if you have no where to go or don't feel like. You feel more capable if you're clean and dressed.
If you try playing music in the bathroom that may distract you enough to get through it. Music always relaxes me so it may help you.

I shower and wash hair on days I have doctor apt. or going for tests. S
ometimes that is only once a month, because I have to. My husband and I dont share a bedroom and have not had sex in over 4 years. I have become a cold fish, caring about nothing.

Now, after waiting month after month and so excited to be having my first grand child. He was born yesterday morning. I have not seen him yet. It has not been convenient for us to come. I have made my mind up to go to the nursery to see him that way.

I dont get it. My son has called. He is so torn and feels so bad. I have reasured him its OK, he is so angry but I will not start a relationship problem. It will work itself out. I do my best to be happy and reeasuring to my son to keep his stress level down. It wont help me going to hospital if he gets grief for it.

As for keeping my personal care to a minimum. I dont see it changing unless I get to see Little Hunter often.....I love my son so very much and I want happiness for him, so I will do what is best for him.

I however feel my cold fish feeling coming back. Once that fish freezes it is very hard to thaw. Maybe being my love for a grandson will keep an unfrozen part. Other wise I can become totally frozen. I am so very sorry for my son. He is being some how manipulated.

For now tho, until I am free to see him my heart grows colder. I know very well how to freeze completely, no contact with anyone, just see my pain management doc so I can have my pain meds. There are no meds for a frozen heart. Once I am completely frozen over, I have room for my own son, and possibley for Hunter too.

My therapist suggested that if taking a whole shower feels too intimidating, considering only one part.

For example, "today, I will shave my legs."

I thought that was weird until I tried it... by the time I completed that, I was sitting on the side of the tub, my legs all clean and raspberry scented, and I really WANTED the rest of me clean - where I had kinda dumped 'clean' off of the list of things I wanted badly enough to take action.

I spend a little too much money on this next one, but it helps me sometimes - when I'm having a good moment, I'll order different kinds of scented soaps and shampoos (aromatherapy stuff) online. Sometimes, I can want to try the new lavender scent or whatever.

(I also have panic attacks in the shower, so bathing is a double whammy sometimes...)