How common is poor hygiene, in regards to suffering depression?

Question

I feel so embarrassed. Most days I feel so dull & dead that I don't even have the energy to get out of bed. It's hard for me to keep up with hygiene. I know & remember to shower, brush my teeth, etc. I @ least plan to do hygiene every day, but most of the time it never gets done. I find myself showering once a week & brushing my teeth & washing & combing my hair once every 2 weeks. & my hair is all matted & knotty like a sheep. I don't even have the energy to get up & cook. Not even get up to fix a glass of water. I feel so immobile 97% of the time. Just can't get out of bed. No energy. I wish for a bath or to be clean every day, but I just can't get myself to do it. Right now, I'm laying on my mattress on my laptop. I feel mentally cripple & paralyzed most times. I can't even think. & when I try to read or study something, the information doesn't sink in.

Once I DO develop the energy to clean myself, do chores, or exercise, I feel like I don't wanna stop. & once it's done, I experience the same cycle all over again. People think I'm just trifling, lazy, & nasty. But they don't understand what I'm going through. & they think there's no excuse for my poor hygiene. I don't like being dirty at all. I see a psychiatrist & take 300 mg Wellbutrin in the morning. I feel like it's not helpful. The doctor told me that if none of these meds work, she was going to put me on Lithium. I don't want to be on that. I know my life is not normal. & it's different from the way everyone else lives. I have a BA degree in Spanish & can't put it to use. Not fluent enough. No one wants to communicate or talk to be because of my Tourette's & my mental disability. They're afraid of me. I'm not harmful. Every time I go looking for a job (with a fresh shower & proper grooming, of course), employers laugh in my face & think I'm crazy & talking out of my head when I tell them I have a degree.

Answer 1

I hear you. I struggle with depressive symptoms and sometimes it's just plain hard to take care of yourself. That is one of the first questions my psychiatrist asks me is if I am taking care of myself. You aren't so you should tell your care team so they can help you. It seems to me since you have enough ambition to write this you do have some energy so you should channel that energy into going for a walk or taking a quick five minute shower. It also only takes a few mintues to brush your teeth. I tend to either forget about caring for myself or I overcompensate and shower a couple a times a day and stuff.

I'm sorry you found out the hard way about truth of college that it only grants degrees not jobs. Anyways as far as a translating job goes you don't have to talk you can always translate on paper.

If I allowed IM I would talk to you some more but since I only have limited advice and am not too good at keeping my own advice this is about all I have to offer.

Good Luck!

Answer 2

i know how you feel. Try to remember...once you get up...shower, brush your teeth...put on glam make up..(red lipstick)....pick out a super cute outfit (once again, wear red)....you will IMMEDIATELY feel better. I know not completely, but it will be a start.

Answer 3

well try taking a bath at least it fells so good and brush your teeth atleast once a day

no affence but eew i thought i waz grosse i brush every dayand shower every other day

Answer 4

This is a common problem with depression. You have been dealt a tough hand. But you have to play it. Here's what you can do. Write a book or play about your experiences. Do a short film just using your home cam. It will bring inspiration to hundreds of thousands around the world who also suffer with Tourette's and depression.

About the depression, changing your diet can help. There are foods (fish, green vegetables, Brazil nuts) which boost your mood.

Take a 45 minute walk each day. It also lifts your mood.

You can and will get through this.  

Answer 5

Well you may want to try something that relaxes so you have the energy to do daily things. Or invite a friend or family member over to help motivate you to do your daily things. Really try to push yourself its ok if you start off slow but take it one step at a time. You may want to find an in home teacher to help you speak more fluent. You may also want to try something for the employer to take you more seriously such as a nice suit or some type of professional look. I hope I help! And good luck!! I wish you the best!!

Answer 6

Maybe you should see another psychiatrist?  It seems like Wellbutrin or Lithium are definitely not the only options.  Are you also seeing a therapist?  I think you should definitely find one.  

I would also say try to get up and do some form of exercise and shower every day.  Maybe start by going for a 10 minute walk, doing a few yoga stretches, and taking a quick shower.  Even if it feels horrible and you don't care, just start.

Answer 7

Don't be embarrassed! You really need to get more help - if the Wellbutrin is not working, ask for something different.  Ask your doc if there's an alternative to lithium as you want that to be a last resort.  Try everything you can to get your life back on track, the way you want it to be. As for jobs, try something on line - perhaps translating documents or tutoring beginning college students?? Good luck and I hope things get better for you.

Answer 8

u need some professional help. this sounds like chronic depression.

Answer 9

a lot of people suffering with depression see no point in brushing their teeth/showering etc

its a common thing

Answer 10

very common  

Answer 11

its sexxy sometimes when a female just lets loose and says f--k it and. im sure your a great person so dont let s--t get to you

Answer 12

If you don't want to do lithium, consider depakote.  Both are used as mood stablizers in bipolar disorder (which it sounds to me like you have).