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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Shortelise on May 16, 2005, at 14:51:07
The cycle has gone into peace, albeit tenuous peace. I can't seem to wash my hair or bathe today, but I'll get there, I'll get there. I'm no longer as anxious.
Do others have trouble with bathing when depressed? I hate taking my clothes off, I think, so I spot wash, if you know what I mean.
ShortE
Posted by Shy_Girl on May 16, 2005, at 15:11:02
In reply to Feeling better - hygiene question, posted by Shortelise on May 16, 2005, at 14:51:07
> Do others have trouble with bathing when depressed?
Hmmm...that's odd, I find I have exactly the opposite problem...I shower and bath too often when I'm depressed. I would shower in the morning, take a long bath maybe two times and shower again at night. For me, when I'm in the shower or bath the world stops and I don't have to worry about things as much. I feel more justified in taking the "me" time.
Posted by pegasus on May 16, 2005, at 15:22:50
In reply to Feeling better - hygiene question, posted by Shortelise on May 16, 2005, at 14:51:07
Oh, yeah, bathing is totally impossible for me when I'm really depressed. Along with eating and socializing. I think it's just an energy thing. It seems so monumentally difficult. The idea of taking off my clothes and then later putting them back on is HUGE. It's funny, because normally I think I have pretty good hygiene, and hate to be dirty. Here's a secret: when depressed, I sometimes even sleep in my clothes, so I don't have to change and then change back later.
pegasus
Posted by JenStar on May 16, 2005, at 15:23:51
In reply to Feeling better - hygiene question, posted by Shortelise on May 16, 2005, at 14:51:07
I actually take long hot showers when I'm depressed. I guess I hope that I can "wash away" the depression, and it makes me feel better to use my pretty lovely body soaps and lotions from Bath/Body Words. Sometimes smelling better affects the mind (or so they say) so I try!
JenStar
Posted by anastasia56 on May 16, 2005, at 15:26:01
In reply to Feeling better - hygiene question, posted by Shortelise on May 16, 2005, at 14:51:07
way too much effort when i'm depressed. i have also slept in my clothes when i've been home all day and haven't really ever dressed.
Posted by TofuEmmy on May 16, 2005, at 17:42:39
In reply to Re: Feeling better - hygiene question, posted by pegasus on May 16, 2005, at 15:22:50
Oh yeah...sleeping in my clothes, on the couch, cuz the stairs to the bedroom are too challenging.
In the morning my hair looks like Einstein after a bike ride. :-/
em
Posted by happyflower on May 16, 2005, at 17:59:59
In reply to Feeling better - hygiene question, posted by Shortelise on May 16, 2005, at 14:51:07
I think when you are feeling depressed it takes everything out of you. Just getting out of bed is an accomplishment some days, well taking a shower, well that is like getting a phd. instead of elementary education on some days. I have been there before, it is not fun.
Posted by pinkeye on May 16, 2005, at 19:12:19
In reply to Re: Feeling better - hygiene question » Shortelise, posted by JenStar on May 16, 2005, at 15:23:51
I do the same. Just soak in the hot water in the bath tub.
Short E - If you are feeling too lazy to take bath, just soak yourself?
It kind of calms me down.
Also another question - if you are feeling so down, why did you terminate? Or is it because of termination that you are so down?
Ideally, if termination is making you feel so bad, and if could afford more therapy, you should continue wiht therapy.
Posted by Shortelise on May 16, 2005, at 21:09:06
In reply to Re: Feeling better - hygiene question » JenStar, posted by pinkeye on May 16, 2005, at 19:12:19
Pinkeye, the low moods I go through seem to be part of some sort of pattern I have to learn to live with. I guess I just have to get used to them, know that they'll pass fairly quickly, and make sure I don't panic.
Going through termination is, I'm sure, part of what triggered it this time.
I think a long soak in the tub is just what I need to do. Thanks.
ShortE
Posted by gardenergirl on May 16, 2005, at 21:32:15
In reply to Re: Feeling better - hygiene question » pegasus, posted by TofuEmmy on May 16, 2005, at 17:42:39
I've been known to stay in my pjs all day on my days off and on weekends.
gg
Posted by Tamar on May 17, 2005, at 4:26:04
In reply to Feeling better - hygiene question, posted by Shortelise on May 16, 2005, at 14:51:07
Yeah, I can’t be bothered to undress and get in the bath when I’m feeling depressed. But I’ve noticed that if I take a bath and put on clean clothes I usually feel a bit better. And if I can then drag myself out of the house and go somewhere I actually start to fell almost OK. But I can’t leave the house if I don’t feel clean, so that means bathing first.
However, knowing all this is rarely enough to persuade me to climb off the couch, haul myself to the bathroom and turn on the taps. And even when I do run a bath, I often can’t face getting into it, so I go back to the couch until the bath is cold and I empty it later. And then I feel guilty about wasting water and energy and I’m back to square one.
Posted by Dinah on May 17, 2005, at 7:11:20
In reply to Feeling better - hygiene question, posted by Shortelise on May 16, 2005, at 14:51:07
It's a major point of contention with my husband. He thinks anyone who doesn't bathe every single day is barbaric and unworthy as wife and mother.
Some days I just don't care.
Posted by Poet on May 17, 2005, at 19:10:56
In reply to Feeling better - hygiene question, posted by Shortelise on May 16, 2005, at 14:51:07
Hi ShortE,
When I was in a major depression last summer I spent most of my time lying on the couch in dirty pajamas. I'd try to clean myself up before my husband got home.
Poet
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