This is kind of an embarrassing question maybe, but it's something I struggle with so I was wondering if anyone else has the same difficulty. I often have troubles with bathing or showering, brushing my teeth, combing my hair and so on. I am getting a lot better, but my family has to push me a fair bit, or I have to push myself. I find it takes so much energy... I feel lazy. When I lived alone, I could go a week without washing at all, or even longer if I didn't have to see anyone or go out. Washing just seemed like too much effort. And even though I wash every day now and feel much better when I do it, I still find it takes major effort most days. It's worse if I am depressed or moody, but even when I'm in a good mood I still need to push myself most days.

Evie, if you showed up to a prestigious university during dead week, you'd probably find that you're more hygienic than the students you encounter. Also they might seem kinda like zombies, but that's another topic.

If I'm living at home and I don't have any plans to go out, I can get rather unmotivated about regular hygiene. What motivates me is the whole leaving the house and interacting with people thing. Then it's time to shower, etc.

I went sometimes.... whilst I am typically 99% of the time hygienic, I might stray every now and then with hygiene.... cannot say I am perfect with it.

Is this anything to do with sensory overload or depression/self esteem?

I do struggle with it and I have guilt about that but, I still only do the basic requirements. I don't shave unless it's summer time and I'm wearing shorts every day.

Do you mean for me specifically Claire? I do have some sensory overload with showering and I do tend to neglect personal hygeine very much so when depressed, so I guess partially. But I made this poll because I wanted to see if this is just me, or if others also have difficulty.

Upstream, I'm like you I think, I feel more motivated to shower and so on if I have to go out, I have less problem with it then actually. I am actually very good with my personal hygeine right now, I shower daily, sometimes twice a day, it's just that it's always an effort for me, I guess that's what I am asking really, do other people find it a pain in the arse and wish they didn't have to do it, because that is totally me. Like for example, my mum loves showering, doing her hair, all that stuff. But I really can't be bothered. I'm not really interested in what I wear either. I make myself look presentable more for the sake of those around me than for myself, because I couldn't care less personally.

Hello Evie, no not just you although I know you do have a problem with the shower because you mentioned it before. I meant in others too. I was interested in this as well although its not a problem i have. I just wondered. It makes sense for some things like being in the shower, being wet, possibly cold to be triggers for some people. For me, most of mine are auditory.

I would say most times hygenic, but if depressed no, I forget to shower, brush teeth.
Although sometimes sounds too much, so I'm unsure what to vote.

i've always showered at least once a day until the ptsd struck, now i couldn't care less and i shower when i can't stand myself anymore...is this just me or have others had this problem due to the ptsd ?

Welcome to the forum. I believe this is what the poll is asking Chrissy... do others have problems with hygeine due to the PTSD? If you look at the poll answers you will see that indeed some do.