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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Deneb on June 7, 2010, at 3:52:13
I'm not sure how it happened, but I have slowly grown into neglecting my personal hygiene and I don't care. I used to be very clean. I would brush my teeth twice a day and shower everyday without fail, for as long as I could remember.
Now I brush my teeth about once a day and don't shower everyday.
Before this would be unthinkable for me, but now I don't seem to mind.
Should I be concerned?
Frankly I am a bit concerned that my lack of hygiene is not concerning to me. From my research neglecting personal hygiene is a sign of dementia, depression or is a part of the schizophrenia prodrome.
I'm pretty sure it is not dementia, I'm way too young for that. That leaves depression or schizophrenia.
I was depressed a few days ago, but I don't feel depressed now. It could still be a possibility though.
I was reading up on the prodrome thing and I hope I don't have that because my symptoms can all technically be explained by the prodrome.
Posted by Dinah on June 7, 2010, at 10:11:42
In reply to I don't shower everyday now, posted by Deneb on June 7, 2010, at 3:52:13
Is anything stopping you from going to take a shower right now? Then you won't have to worry about something being wrong with you.
You were sad when you came back from New Orleans. Which kind of makes me feel sad. I wish for you that you could hold onto the happiness of having been, instead of feeling sad it was over.
Maybe you could make a journal of your trip? Along with any pictures Dr. Bob took and sends us. After one of my dogs die, I always find solace in creating a tribute to them. Maybe you could create a tribute to your Babble trips. Just for yourself.
After your shower. And when you have time from swimming class, and cooking, and anyplace else you need to be.
Deneb, moods come and go. You were showering, brushing your teeth, fixing your hair, working, going to the pool, going to Weight Watchers, etc. less than a month ago. Then New Orleans was over, you don't expect to see Dr. Bob next year, you quit your really horrid job. Your mood dipped. It happens, and that's to be respected because it's telling you something. It doesn't mean something is horribly wrong with you. Other than that perhaps you (like me) have strong reactions to what's going on around you. And that you're sensitive to changes in your medication regimen. I know that I have trouble remembering that this moment is not the only moment in the world. It seems like how I feel now is how I always felt and how I always will feel. But stepping back and realizing that this is one mood among many I have is helpful to me. It's helpful when the current moment is awful. And it's even helpful when the current moment is wonderful, because it makes me feel less bad when that moment is gone.
I think of life as a wave. It goes up and down, and is down will come up, and what is up will go down. It's nice to shift the wave up as much as possible through therapy and meds. But it's also healthy to realize that moods (for some of us at least) are not permanent.
What your responsibility is at this point is to do what you can to keep it from dipping further. First and foremost that means making sure you take your meds. And secondmost, that means to try to think about when things will be better, and try not to do anything now that will make life harder then.
That's been my experience anyway.
Posted by Phillipa on June 7, 2010, at 11:28:40
In reply to Re: I don't shower everyday now » Deneb, posted by Dinah on June 7, 2010, at 10:11:42
Dinah what a perfect answer I also relate to this living now and seeing positive in future. Phillipa
Posted by Deneb on June 7, 2010, at 19:12:15
In reply to Re: I don't shower everyday now » Deneb, posted by Dinah on June 7, 2010, at 10:11:42
I saw pdoc today. :-)
She says I definitely do not have schizophrenia. Phew! I'm not in a prodrome either.
That was a relief.
She says I have anxiety disorders and that the first pdoc didn't know me.
Thanks for the words of wisdom Dinah.
Pdoc says I need to coach myself into not avoiding things. I should talk to myself in my head and convince myself to go do things.
I need to go to bed earlier and wake up earlier too.
Posted by emmanuel98 on June 7, 2010, at 20:34:17
In reply to Re: I don't shower everyday now, posted by Deneb on June 7, 2010, at 19:12:15
Maybe you should find a therapist who does CBT or DBT. They can be very helpful in looking at behaviors and the feelings that motivate them, how to live with those feelings constructively, how to avoid negative and anxiety-provoking thoughts.
Posted by glydin 2010 on June 8, 2010, at 16:26:39
In reply to I don't shower everyday now, posted by Deneb on June 7, 2010, at 3:52:13
I can relate to your symptoms. Those findings in me are a symptom of depression. Feelings of sadness are not the primary signs I have.... Lack of motivation and drive are the main symptoms of depression for me, in addition of very negative thought patterns. The lack of drive extends to not wanting to engage in normal everyday activities involving my person and environment. I am normally meticulous about personal appearance and how my surroundings are...
Unfortunately, no spirit moves me. I have to behave my way out of it. There are times it's a challenge each and every day but it IS the solution for me.
Posted by jammerlich on June 10, 2010, at 13:57:50
In reply to I don't shower everyday now, posted by Deneb on June 7, 2010, at 3:52:13
Deneb,
I have a lot of these same problems. If I am not going anywhere or seeing anyone, I usually don't shower. That can be several days sometimes.
And brushing my teeth? Geez, I'm afraid to go to the dentist at this point!
Would it help you if we were accountability buddies and checked in with each other every day? It would probably really help me.
Jammer
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