Hygiene/Self care

[V0latile]

I brush my teeth after each meal and use listerine. I floss every other day, as gums need to be cared for also. But there are times when I don't shower 2 or even 3 weeks.

After every meal? Outrageous!

 

[Return2Dust]

Brushing teeth is more important. You don't need a shower, but you need to brush your teeth.

I can slack some nights but I will do that over showering. I have a lot of dentist work done, teeth pulled,yada yada. So that's my motivation because I hate getting work done in my mouth.

Same. My dental work is expensive, so I brush and floss daily. I hate the dentist too. I want to stay out of that chair. Screw the daily showers though.

 

[kappa]

After every meal? Outrageous!

I think you're actually supposed to wait to brush until 30 min after food- but if I'm home eating I usually brush right after. I hate the taste of food in my mouth after I am done eating. Usually do this after I drink hot tea too.

 

[Jean4]

I am doing this for me. Thank you so much for this thread.

Yesterday, I brushed my teeth and took a shower. I am trying to get out of bed and force myself to do it again today.

This will be the first time in I can't tell you how long I have showered and brushed my teeth two days in a row. I usually put my pajamas on (as I don't really own and street clothes that fit anymore,) but I may even put on real clothes (despite them being too big.)

Yes. I a still suicidal, coming off of a failed attempt. Yes, I will try again. I am just trying to be a 'normal' person and give myself some dignity before I go.

Again. Thank you so much for this thread. I may check-in to hold myself accountable.

P.S. I have not showered in so long, I have cysts on my ass like cystic acne. Not pretty huh? Being suicidal and depressed can cause other problems.

 

[BridgeJumper]

Yep, thats me.
Sometimes I shower every 1 or 2 weeks. I brush my teeth for like 15 seconds. My hair is so greasy you could fry mcdonalds with it. Sunken eyes with dark circles under. Sometimes I refuse to eat or even drink (ptsd from drowning doesnt help) and a few times I needed to be put on drips. Not proud to admit it, but at my lowest I would lie in my own piss and period blood because I was too depressed to get up and use the toilet. My hair got so matted I needed to cut it from waist lenght to chin lenght because it was past the point of being able to untangle it myself. Cant force myself to leave the house unless its for a disability hearing or psychiatrist appointment, otherwise I just get dressed, stand near the door for a few minutes staring at it and then undress and go back to my room. I dont even sleep that much because Im unable to unless I drink a fuckton of alcohol, I just lie facedown on my bed with my eyes closed and wish I was dead.
Once I cried on the floor of my bathroom for a long time, shower supplies in my both hands, because I was unable to get up and actually wash myself. It was likehaving lead weights strapped to my limbs, impossible to move.

 

[Jean4]

Yep, thats me.
Sometimes I shower every 1 or 2 weeks. I brush my teeth for like 15 seconds. My hair is so greasy you could fry mcdonalds with it. Sunken eyes with dark circles under. Sometimes I refuse to eat or even drink (ptsd from drowning doesnt help) and a few times I needed to be put on drips. Not proud to admit it, but at my lowest I would lie in my own piss and period blood because I was too depressed to get up and use the toilet. My hair got so matted I needed to cut it from waist lenght to chin lenght because it was past the point of being able to untangle it myself. Cant force myself to leave the house unless its for a disability hearing or psychiatrist appointment, otherwise I just get dressed, stand near the door for a few minutes staring at it and then undress and go back to my room. I dont even sleep that much because Im unable to unless I drink a fuckton of alcohol, I just lie facedown on my bed with my eyes closed and wish I was dead.
Once I cried on the floor of my bathroom for a long time, shower supplies in my both hands, because I was unable to get up and actually wash myself. It was likehaving lead weights strapped to my limbs, impossible to move.

This is me.. except the alcohol is marijuana. I start using the second I get up to when I go to bed.

 

[bigj75]

gotta clean your ass regardless of how depressed you are.

 

[justwhy?]

If you avoid refined carbs and eat some raw veg you don't need to brush your teeth - technologically primitive peoples had way better teeth than westerners today.

 

[Ch92921]

yes

 

[azucaramargo]

If you avoid refined carbs and eat some raw veg you don't need to brush your teeth - technologically primitive peoples had way better teeth than westerners today.

Really? That's good to know! Thank you!

 

[SawItOnce]

If you avoid refined carbs and eat some raw veg you don't need to brush your teeth - technologically primitive peoples had way better teeth than westerners today.

One has to keep in my mind though what kind of teeth they have, I mean their positioning. If they tend to catch food in keep it trapped, than some additional effort is needed to release it, to not let it rot there. I've always envied those crocodiles which just keep their mouths open and let the little birds do the work.

 

[Spock87]

I force myself to shower at least twice a week sometimes its only once actually taken care of myself gets harder and harder every day and that includes getting out of bed

 

[justwhy?]

Really? That's good to know! Thank you!

One has to keep in my mind though what kind of teeth they have, I mean their positioning. If they tend to catch food in keep it trapped, than some additional effort is needed to release it, to not let it rot there. I've always envied those crocodiles which just keep their mouths open and let the little birds do the work.

I probably overstated it a little, sorry - even unrefined carbohydrate sources like eg oatmeal or potatoes will damage the teeth. But raw oats and lower gi/more watery tubers would be OK. Swilling water around the mouth (most unseemly ofc) immediately after eating can dislodge anything stuck between teeth and if left 10-20 mins will dissolve the sugars left from your salivary amylase acting on carbohydrates present. Also - if carbohydrates are eaten alongside fat then it tends to create a film that swilling or eating raw, fibrous, watery veg. will not adequately remove.

So I'm really not advocating that people don't engage in conventional oral care, just that if one is mindful of the basic causes of tooth decay and happens that day not to eat in a way such as to cause it then it's not too much of a problem if brushing etc is neglected. The reality is that nearly everyone (even the health conscious) eats in a way that will cause it.

 

[azucaramargo]

I probably overstated it a little, sorry - even unrefined carbohydrate sources like eg oatmeal or potatoes will damage the teeth. But raw oats and lower gi/more watery tubers would be OK. Swilling water around the mouth (most unseemly ofc) immediately after eating can dislodge anything stuck between teeth and if left 10-20 mins will dissolve the sugars left from your salivary amylase acting on carbohydrates present. Also - if carbohydrates are eaten alongside fat then it tends to create a film that swilling or eating raw, fibrous, watery veg. will not adequately remove.

So I'm really not advocating that people don't engage in conventional oral care, just that if one is mindful of the basic causes of tooth decay and happens that day not to eat in a way such as to cause it then it's not too much of a problem if brushing etc is neglected. The reality is that nearly everyone (even the health conscious) eats in a way that will cause it.

Thank you! You have been most responsible in educating me about tooth care. Are you a dentist, per chance?

 

[marcusuk63]

nope , i cant be arsed , i usually always have short hair and clean shaven but as the picture shows i look like a hobo now and i've been awake since 5.30 am and its now 9am and i`ve been willing myself to take a shower since i woke up

 

[mathieu]

I neglect self-care too. At the moment I'm suffering from heat hives, so I get itchy/prickly when I warm up and the effort of showering, even a cool shower and drying off sets off an attack. Beside that I'm just lazy and unmotivated. I generally do shower and shave if I have to leave the house because I look like shit when I've got a few days growth and crazy messed up hair.

 

[justwhy?]

Thank you! You have been most responsible in educating me about tooth care. Are you a dentist, per chance?

No certainly not a dentist. Just research driven by a combination of depression and disordered eating. Eat pretty well these days thankfully but still fail to brush more than I'd like.

 

[azucaramargo]

let the little

No certainly not a dentist. Just research driven by a combination of depression and disordered eating. Eat pretty well these days thankfully but still fail to brush more than I'd like.

Well, thank you for passing along the fruits of your research to me. I applaud your dedication to oral health.

 

[justwhy?]

Well, thank you for passing along the fruits of your research to me. I applaud your dedication to oral health.

... More fear for lack it really but that's the way with everything, isn't it?

 

[AnnaJaspers]

I bathe everyday because I love baths but have not washed my hair in weeks. Forget about makeup or shaving (I'm female).

Have not left the house in months, so I don't need to change my clothes but I try to wash them once a week.

 

[azucaramargo]

... More fear for lack it really but that's the way with everything, isn't it?

True, yes.

nope , i cant be arsed , i usually always have short hair and clean shaven but as the picture shows i look like a hobo now and i've been awake since 5.30 am and its now 9am and i`ve been willing myself to take a shower since i woke up

A handsome hobo if I've ever seen one.

gotta clean your ass regardless of how depressed you are.

Or, do you...?

I've always envied those crocodiles which just keep their mouths open and let the little birds do the work.

Hahahahahahaha

 

[Lotus1818]

I try to shower everyday. It relaxes my muscles so I have a bit less pain. Even though it's only for a few minutes

 

[Throwawaysoul]

Showering is all I manage to do. I try and brush my teeth too, only because my teeth are already fucked and that shit is beyond expensive to fix.

 

[noctiva]

I love brushing my teeth! My partner has given me one of these oral-b toothbrushes with smart function, whatever that means, and it's amazing, it feels so good and comes with different cleaning and massage functions.
I also have a foreo (or somesuch?) for massaging and cleaning my face, which feels very nice.
Both are perfect to use while lying in bed lazily and way less strenuous than actually brushing teeth or washing your face.
I shower 2-3 times a week, depending on how much I run. But I don't really sweat or smell anyway. I've been wearing the same tshirt for.. 8 weeks now Without washing it..

 

[Francois]

I feel so refreshed after I showered, shaved and brushed my teeth.
I know I have been lacking in self discipline the last few years but I manage to maintain good hygiene.

 

[End Piece]

I'm showering/bathing again, but sometimes they are an avoidant behaviour for me, or a way to covertly purge. Tooth brushing has kind of gone out the window, which is a shame because I have a good set.

 

[Boochky]

@azucaramargo - You're back!! I really noticed your absence. :)

I hate showering. I'm morbidly obese at 360 pounds after 20 years of medicine for bipolar. I can't reach most of my body. I can't get clean and really need help which my mom does sometimes.

I never brush my teeth anymore. I just forget. I lost one of my baby teeth that amazingly held on 42 yrs. I used to have toothbrushes with toothpaste on them already and I could do it in bed. Need to do that again.

My love to all my friends in filth!

 

[exhausted]

I won't talk about my filthy ways because I think it's all been covered, but here are some things that help:

1. Dry shampoo is your friend, there've been times I haven't been able to shower for work but this has helped me
2. Similarly, body sprays can take the edge off the stank if you don't smell fresh, I have a lovely coconut one and it genuinely helps
3. Keep your hair short. As a woman, getting a pixie cut has been a life-saver. Quick-drying, easy to wash, no hairballs in the shower drain etc.
4.If your bed is too difficult to change regularly, you can put a few drops of essential oil on the mattress itself so at least you get a pleasant aroma wafting up
5. Wipes apparently. Some people who can't face a shower wipe themselves strategically.
6. Mouthwash. Or chewing gum. If you can't brush, you can do something to make you feel a little fresher regardless.
7. Keep laundry basket right near bed. Sometimes I don't have the strength to change into pyjamas, but I do have the strength to strenuously contort out of my clothes whilst lying in bed and chuck them in the laundry. Success?
8. In general, just always choose the easiest option, so maybe aerosol deodorant rather than a roll-on. You never know how much convenience your future depressed self will need.
9. Lastly, for me, sometimes I put lipstick on and that helps. Ok, my hair may be a bird's nest and I might be all kinds of gross, but part of me is a femme fatale once again, lol. And then it smears on my face and I end up looking like the Joker. Circle of life.

 

[moodygrl]

Used to shower every day, now I do it cca twice a week. I wear the same clothes more or less every day, I dont fit in most of my clothes since I gained weight.
In summer when I was hospitalised I didnt have a brush nor would I use it and my hair got so tangeled I got a big dreadlock on top of my head which i had to have cut off later. Luckily it doesnt show. I dont enjoy showering anymore, its a chore.

Are you guys planning to be clean on your final day? Im wondering, will I even bother to look presentable..

 

[BPD Barbie]

I struggle massively with the simple self care tasks but push myself to do them. Even brushing my teeth some days I just can't do and I hate it. I'm someone who's always kept up appearances.