Bipolar Disorder Support Group
Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.
I used to have the hardest time getting in the tub...
It got so bad that once I got an open sore under my breast where my underwire bra hit me. It never got THAT bad again.
I have occasionally been smelly. I always tried not to let it get that bad. I have also often done a PTA (Pits, Tits, Ass) wash. What is it that kept me from bathing? I felt like bathing was just so hard, and it wasn't only when I was depressed. Well, mostly. It started when I was a teen. My brother once physically picked me up and put me in the shower and turned the water on, clothes and all. I was 16. I was diagnosed with depression back then, bipolar later.
It didn't help that I was raised by a depressed mother who wouldn't bathe us terribly often. I guess I got too comfortable being dirty in a way. If I would have grown up in a cleaner house would I feel different about it? I don't know, because my brother take a bath religiously every day, almost like clockwork, for a half hour at a time.
I figured out that I was raised in a house where my left arm was open to the room . I feel uncomfortable in our current tub, where my right arm is open to the room. It's a position thing. My body feel wrong in the tub. I am going to try sitting in the tub backwards and see if it feels any better.
My tub is old and scratchy. I will use any excuse. If it's raining, if the sun is out, it doesn't matter, if it's Tuesday (for me, Everything IS worse on Tuesdays, always has been, but that's another story).
I got over it a little lately. I took a bath last week, three days ago and a wash-up today. I am going to take another bath tomorrow.
What did I do? I don't know. But my suggestion is to try everything: try new soap, a different shower head, new shower curtain, candles, bubbles,, a new robe, whatever will motivate you to bathe. Tell a friend you are going to do it then do it. Then call them back and tell them about your success and enjoy how wonderful you feel and smell afterward. Bathe with someone, or even have someone bathe you. (Not a totally unreasonable thing).
Finally, If you are having a lot of trouble with bathing and other activities of daily living, tell your doctor. You may need a med adjustment. What I said before about getting help with bathing, that is an available service, a nurse's aide can help you if you are truly unable to handle it. Like I said, talk to your doctor. Although I haven't had a nurse's aid come to my house to bathe me, I have had a nurse come to my house for other reasons, and now I have a social worker-licensed therapist who comes to my house to see me for talk therapy every week.
Just know this, I had bathing problems for a long, long time, and somehow, something changed, I talked myself through it, and now I am better for it. Will it last? I don't know. I'm bipolar. Nothing seems to last. But I will enjoy it (bubbles and all) while I can.
It got so bad that once I got an open sore under my breast where my underwire bra hit me. It never got THAT bad again.
I have occasionally been smelly. I always tried not to let it get that bad. I have also often done a PTA (Pits, Tits, Ass) wash. What is it that kept me from bathing? I felt like bathing was just so hard, and it wasn't only when I was depressed. Well, mostly. It started when I was a teen. My brother once physically picked me up and put me in the shower and turned the water on, clothes and all. I was 16. I was diagnosed with depression back then, bipolar later.
It didn't help that I was raised by a depressed mother who wouldn't bathe us terribly often. I guess I got too comfortable being dirty in a way. If I would have grown up in a cleaner house would I feel different about it? I don't know, because my brother take a bath religiously every day, almost like clockwork, for a half hour at a time.
I figured out that I was raised in a house where my left arm was open to the room . I feel uncomfortable in our current tub, where my right arm is open to the room. It's a position thing. My body feel wrong in the tub. I am going to try sitting in the tub backwards and see if it feels any better.
My tub is old and scratchy. I will use any excuse. If it's raining, if the sun is out, it doesn't matter, if it's Tuesday (for me, Everything IS worse on Tuesdays, always has been, but that's another story).
I got over it a little lately. I took a bath last week, three days ago and a wash-up today. I am going to take another bath tomorrow.
What did I do? I don't know. But my suggestion is to try everything: try new soap, a different shower head, new shower curtain, candles, bubbles,, a new robe, whatever will motivate you to bathe. Tell a friend you are going to do it then do it. Then call them back and tell them about your success and enjoy how wonderful you feel and smell afterward. Bathe with someone, or even have someone bathe you. (Not a totally unreasonable thing).
Finally, If you are having a lot of trouble with bathing and other activities of daily living, tell your doctor. You may need a med adjustment. What I said before about getting help with bathing, that is an available service, a nurse's aide can help you if you are truly unable to handle it. Like I said, talk to your doctor. Although I haven't had a nurse's aid come to my house to bathe me, I have had a nurse come to my house for other reasons, and now I have a social worker-licensed therapist who comes to my house to see me for talk therapy every week.
Just know this, I had bathing problems for a long, long time, and somehow, something changed, I talked myself through it, and now I am better for it. Will it last? I don't know. I'm bipolar. Nothing seems to last. But I will enjoy it (bubbles and all) while I can.
Yeah, and do what you were saying...get yourself some yummy new things for bath time so it makes it more enjoyable for you. Maybe some yummy smelling shampoo and conditioner, and a new body wash. Maybe light some scented oil in the bathroom...try and make it as desirable as you can.
(((big hugs)))
I think, too, you could set a time every day (or every other day) when you are going to bathe. Start: Take a 5 minute, 10 minutes, 15 minute shower and jump out and curl up in a nice terry cloth robe.
I have gone probably up to three weeks without bathing before - depression kicks in and a shower is the LAST thing on my mind. Usually it's a week or so. My hubby will insist. Usually, I try to bathe every other day and especially on days where I have to see my pdoc, gpdoc, T or another person on my care team. My pdoc saw me during a bad depression when i wasn't showering and called me on it -- not a good thing.
For me, I get out a new pair of PJs, my robe, fresh underwear and socks and toss them in the bathroom. Let it warm up in there and jump in. Whether it's 5 minutes or 15 depends on how i'm feeling. But i'll at least do FIVE minutes. Can't wash my hair in that long but they say you shouldn't wash your hair more than 4 times a week (or you're just drying it out).
I dry off, get into my fresh PJsk and curl up on the couch to dry. My cat likes to lick my toes after I've showered .... IDK - weird!