Oh yeah I can relate. When I was at my lowest I only showered when I got itchy, and I could go a long time without showering. Lucky me I live alone and didn't offend anyone. I don't know why it's such a struggle at times, cuz when I did shower I would think "gee the soap smells good" and when I would finally brush my teeth I would think "gee my teeth feel smooth". I would definitely feel better after doing it, but like you said it takes energy.

Depression slowly robs us of everything ... including personal hygiene ... if we let it.

I terms of bathing no, but in terms of wearing nice clothes and make up--When I am depressed or feel powerless in my life, I don't want to wear make up or nice clothes because I feel rebellious and mean spirited or I feel like giving up.

i thought I was the only one.

I always make a habit of showering every morning, regardless of mood, because I was fired from a job back in 2004 for failing to attend to my personal hygiene. My teeth are in good shape due to drinking milk and are only brushed occasionally with Fluoride-Free toothpaste.

I too have been have been guilty of this and not even knowing how long in my desperate days. However I make an effort every day to take care of my personal hygiene, because it just causes additional problems, which fuels the depression. I bathe in Epsom salts once in a while, soothes the body as well as any cuts, rashes, etc.

Some days it is the "little things" that are my victories. Taking a bath and changing the sheets on my bed can be my victories when things get bad for me.

Gentle hugs

raeandrews..I have gone more than 2 weeks.

My depression at that time was coupled with alcoholism....so that certainly didn't help AT ALL....made me weak and not caring even less.

Yes, even now sober...I have skipped a day here and there because of pure depression...and the feeling of weight on my whole body..not just my damn shoulders.

So..what I have done everyday is taken baby steps to get myself there...and FORCE ...that is the only suggestion I have...FORCE yourself.

First I take forever to wake up....like 2 hours...then I go see what I am possibly going to wear after the event. Then I actually move it into my dressing place (post shower)...Then I rest again for however long it takes me to talk myself into getting up.

I keep telling myself as I turn on the water...you can do this...you have to do this..you will feel better after you do this...and I repeat those three things as much as I have to until the water hits my body.

Then...I keep telling myself...this is good for you....you will feel better...God help me thru this.....When I finally get to the towel mode..you know its not over....but I sit on the toilet (closed) only thing to sit on in there...and I REST....and I thank God I got thru that part.....

Then I take my time doing the rest...dressing, makeup....and when I'm done....SO MUCH BETTER EVERY TIME.....So it is worth it....

The short of it....a lot of self talk...and force.

ps. I think the same exact thing about my b/f...I get so JEALOUS....And he will take a shower at any point when he is just in the mood..sometimes it is early in the day...sometimes he will just jump up at night and jump in the shower...

He also makes very pleasurable noises while showering which makes me wish I could be more like him (he would kill me if he read this..LOL).

ya know...AHHHHH....OHHHHH...YEAAAA....MMMMM....LOL
And I'm like...crying on the couch because I can't enjoy it that much. Although, I took one today...and I do feel like a PERSON. I think it helps me to feel more like a PERSON than a BIG LUMP of NOTHINGNESS.

unfortunately ..this is not uncommon ...I have had to strugl with this ..but never so much since we now have a shower ...insted of a bath ...but than we got a fold up bath ..so no excuses ....but I do wash ...in the sink with a washcloth ..and some and water ...face hands .and the other parts that need it ..I don't like to get smelly ..so that is somthing you can do ..I also put on some ...body lotion ....in areas that tend to get rashes ....that stops that ...and even under my arms ...and ...face moisterisers ...it sounds like a lot but if you just put it on the bathroom sink it realy isent much and doesent take that long ............just somthing to think about ..........it just isent such a big a job as actualy getting in tha shower can seam ...take care ..God bless

I have to make an extra effort to do the "normal" grooming others do. One thing which can help is to be sure that I check out my teeth in the mirror - that aesthetic will motivate me to brush.

Don't beat yourself up about it -- that will only cause you to feel less energetic.

Maybe try showering with your husband? It just feels so nice when someone scrubs your back.

I can usually bring myself to shower & brush my teeth, but not much more. I used to take a lot of pride in my appearance. Now, Im lucky if I put makeup on. I figure if someone doesn't like the way I look, they can look the other direction.

LOL Blackhawk. If she is like me, she doesn't WANT to shower with hubby.

Everything is a struggle for me. Just basic functioning is just about impossible. I do what I can day to day but it's not much. I lay in bed a lot or watch t.v. with my husband. I was surprised that tonight I actually enjoyed a song we were listening to that I had heard many times before but had never really responded to it.