Do You Have Problems With Personal Hygiene? - Page 3

JustJane · #21 14-03-2008, 11:51 AM

Wow. I just had my hair cut short because I never bothered to brush it and would get so many tangles that when I did have to go somewhere, I'd just throw a ski-style hat on to cover my hair. I knew that wasn't a solution, so finally cut it short - like 3" at the longest strand.

It's the second time in a year that my hair was completely beyond my ability to keep it orderly.

And I have gone for a month without showering. If I was aware of BO, I washed my underarms, but that was all. I don't work and if I did, I know I would take a shower before going to work everyday. If I had a tub, I would soak every day. But no tub and no room for a tub. Just my luck.

hodge · #22 23-03-2008, 03:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by batgirl

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.

I feel pretty much the same way, Evie. I'm most motivated to bath if I have to go out or meet someone. It seems like a chore lately. A bath used to relax me and still does sometimes, but often it's also a time and place where a lot of emotions come to the surface and I cry there. Maybe there's some sensory overload going on there; I'm not sure.

I have had a hard time caring about what I wear, my hair, my appearance in general. I have improved a bit, though. I bought some eye shadow a couple weeks ago, and I've been trying to wear a bit of makeup, going with the theory that trying to look nice on the outside helps the mood inside. It helps a bit.

Oh, and I also tend to avoid the hassle of shaving unless it's summer and I'm wearing shorts and sleeveless tops or going swimming.

Lucky Laser · #23 26-03-2008, 04:58 AM

I think my problem with hygiene is that I think about it too much. When I look in the mirror I usually see an ugly person (something I have struggled with since my trauma) and I shower two or three times a day sometimes to make sure that I am not gross (ie. unlovable). Also, sometimes when I am out and stressed I feel like I am taking on the dirt of other people... like strangers are touching me but without touching me, and I want to wash the creepies off.

Buuut, that second thing might just be a coincidence because my Mom is a nurse and always insisted on everything being really, really clean.

upstream · #24 26-03-2008, 02:57 PM

Lucky, have you ever seen the TV show "How to look good naked" ?

It's a makeover show where they take women who hate the way they look and change their perceptions of themselves. Eye opening show...

Lucky Laser · #25 27-03-2008, 02:25 AM

No, I haven't seen that show... Sooo, I just looked it up and found that they have episodes online you can watch for free. :) I'm watching now and I am glad to see that the show is really geared towards women (I was admittedly a little afraid because of the title, lol). I know in my rational mind that female nudity is not a dirty, scary thing, I just need more things like this to convince myself of that. Thank you upstream!

nightowl52 · #26 31-03-2008, 06:00 PM

I have to divide each step with sit & rest periods. Choosing what I wear is frustrating, then having everything I need in there & I run the bath. Showers requiring standing & I get pain & have to sit, stand, squat to relieve it. Then I sit . Then I bathe , dry & sit again. Then I blow dry my hair, well sometimes I just let it dry on it's own. It takes hours for me to get ready for the day & I don't wear make up, color my hair or cut it. It's too much work! And the fact that the hair dressers shop is crowded & she's got you in the chair. I'll stop there. sorry

Murphy's Law · #27 31-03-2008, 11:37 PM

I don't know whether to laugh or cry. I have felt so alone, and disgusted with myself for this exact issue.
I always used to shower 1 or 2 times a day. My hair, massive red curls, was my crowning glory. Now, I go weeks without washing or combing my hair. Just last week I hacked most of it off in a fit of... I don't know.
As for showers, at first it went to when i had to go out. Now I put on a hat, and leave the showering for days with the doctors. Gross.

Anonymoose · #28 01-04-2008, 08:56 AM

Sometimes I experience a great deal of avoidance around personal hygiene. Tasks like showering or brushing my teeth trigger me. However, I've managed to get around them when they trigger me unbearably. There are oral hygiene wipes to use and I can wash up or use wipes designed for use without water. Though I may not always feel like tending to my personal hygiene, I am able to do so consistently.

graebrahm · #29 12-04-2008, 06:17 PM

I have serious problems with this - probably partly due to the water issue and my near drowning (my twin babies did drown). Sometimes I don't even care if I am going somewhere - I figure - I live on a farm so they'll just think I was working... I would never have done this before my accident - it would have horrified me. I can't figure a way out of it - really stinks (no pun intended).

bustedflat · #30 13-07-2008, 06:18 AM

I have been home for 3 mos and this last time it's been like a week and I have been out on store runs. My hair is shoulder length and curly so it's not hard to wet it, mousse it and look halfway ok but I still know. It's gross but I am so glad to know that you others struggle with it too.