I hate showers

[Kate King]

Pure agony. I dread mornings these days, not because it is a new day, but because I have to take a shower. I loath showers. Not always, but this is the way the depression is manifesting itself right now. It is so embarrassing. Don't get me wrong, I still take them, but it takes everything I have in me to get into that stupid shower! I feel disgusting and pathetic for this. Am I alone? What should I do (other than "acting opposite" and take them).

[krisakira]

When I'm depressed showers go out the window. It got so bad that I was showering once a week. This is because I always thought of it as a huge chore that would require lots of energy. I am an obese person and it makes it even harder, especially to dry off. But now I have positive generalizations about showering. I have a bright lamp I put in there to make it very light in there, which some reason I enjoy. I think about how nice and warm it will make me (I have trouble with being cold all the time) and for drying off, I air dry some of the way, so it's not a huge chore. I still sometimes go 3 days without showering, but it's a lot better than once a week. Try to think of something positive about showering.

[Kate King]

Thanks for sharing your ideas. I never thought of switching up the "norm" and doing something different. I love the idea of getting a bright light in there, our bathroom is so dark. Also, I guess I need to start looking at the positive side of things a little more. Like, actually putting lotion on is the death of me! Not because I don't need it- I do! My skin gets so dry and flaky if I don't. But seriously, you would think someone is holding me a gunpoint, I just cannot bring myself to do it. Then I feel like a have completely failed at life, even though I just took a shower! I told myself today actually that it's ok if I don't put lotion on. Yes, my skin will be really dry, but at least I am clean. I didn't feel like as much of a failure but still, come on! I just want the little things in life to be easy, not HUGE mountains I have to climb over everyday.

[winter4me]

My favorite showers are done with candlelight, scented preferably, and slowly---just sitting under...then one things at a time---I lotion before getting in as my skin gets really dry winters----But I notice that when I am down, I do it less often and stay in shorter periods of time. (I lived for years 'off the grid' with bucket showers, so I guess having water that doesn't run out is still a treat at times (but then, I feel guilty wasting it)----I do notice that when the depression is bad, I don't feel really "clean" after the shower and that is troublesome--- I am a small person and like to curl up fetal position in the bottom of the tub...I do like the warmth.

[krisakira]

Originally Posted by Kate King

Thanks for sharing your ideas. I never thought of switching up the "norm" and doing something different. I love the idea of getting a bright light in there, our bathroom is so dark. Also, I guess I need to start looking at the positive side of things a little more. Like, actually putting lotion on is the death of me! Not because I don't need it- I do! My skin gets so dry and flaky if I don't. But seriously, you would think someone is holding me a gunpoint, I just cannot bring myself to do it. Then I feel like a have completely failed at life, even though I just took a shower! I told myself today actually that it's ok if I don't put lotion on. Yes, my skin will be really dry, but at least I am clean. I didn't feel like as much of a failure but still, come on! I just want the little things in life to be easy, not HUGE mountains I have to climb over everyday.

Yeah, don't think about the lotion while you are trying to get yourself to take a shower. If you feel ok to do it afterwards, good for you, but if you don't- it's not the end of the world. Eliminate those negative generalizations and think of it as something you can really enjoy.

[nicole84]

My depression has had me like this recently too. Had the first shower today in 3 days, I normally shower daily but it just seems like so much effort. I still manage to moisturise and use deodorant but that damn shower is such a task. And then I tell the doc that I managed a shower and they just look at me like it's disgusting not taking them.

I think it's a pretty common thing. Depression makes EVERYTHING so much harder.

[shortandcute]

I've been cutting back on my showers too lately.

[Silent Void]

Originally Posted by krisakira

When I'm depressed showers go out the window. It got so bad that I was showering once a week. This is because I always thought of it as a huge chore that would require lots of energy. I am an obese person and it makes it even harder, especially to dry off. But now I have positive generalizations about showering. I have a bright lamp I put in there to make it very light in there, which some reason I enjoy. I think about how nice and warm it will make me (I have trouble with being cold all the time) and for drying off, I air dry some of the way, so it's not a huge chore. I still sometimes go 3 days without showering, but it's a lot better than once a week. Try to think of something positive about showering.

More light. Good tip.

[WhatItIs]

I don't have the showering issue, but when I'm depressed I don't want to wash my hair because it takes too much effort (i'll just pull it up when I shower). I've actually met a couple of other women who have also said this.

[onlytime]

I'm SO relieved to read this. I seriously thought I was the only one who has a hard time getting in the shower and was so ashamed. I don't have anything helpful to say - I just wanted to let you know that you're not alone and that your post was really helpful for me.

Hang in there!