I take Lexapro, Lamictal, Abilify, yet have Problem Taking Showers

I also sometimes have difficulty with taking showers. It stems from motivation and lack of energy. To help, I use shower steamers. The steamer motivated me and keeps me in the shower until it dissolves. I know it sounds simple but sometimes simple is the way to go.

When I get up I feel so weak it is a struggle to take shoer and get dressed. I do not know if it is caused from depression and anxiety. I took xanax last night because I could not sleep. It made it easier to get ready in the morning, but I wish I could return my old self and this would not be a problem.

I can relate very well. I take Lexapro, Lamictal, and Klonapin . The last one is to sleep. Right now I am really depressed and it's tough to get out of. Some of it is financial problems but I don't want to do anything and I'm on the couch too much. Even brushing my teeth is an effort. Have you been seeing a therapist? I assume you have since you are taking an antidepressant. I wonder how I would feel if I were not on these pills since I don't feel much different. I really should be seeing a therapist but I have to find one in my network and one who will see you face-to-face not on Zoom. I would like to wake up one day feeling happy. I also know that I need exercise to help. One of my antis is for anxiety. I am no doctor but you do sound depressed. Has anything happened that could cause you to feel depressed. Keep in touch and I do hope that you can find a reason and maybe change your antidepressant. My best.

I also have a bathtub grab rail similar to this one which makes getting in and out of a tub feel more secure.
https://www.amazon.ca/Medline-Bathtub-Bar-Locks-Side/dp/B0007VNZU4/ref=sr_1_6

This is probably dumb but it helped me. Before this I would sometime go 8 days between showers bc I wfh and live by myself. I just tried the whole gratitude thing. “I get to take a shower instead of I have to shower AGAIN”

Hello and thank you for your comments. It does not sound funny at all and 8 days would be good for me. I do have depression and I just can't do the things that I used to do. Cooking is huge for me and I'm really not a cook. Even brushing my teeth is an effort but I do brush of course. I really get it when you said "I get to take a shower instead of I have to shower AGAIN". I say that most days. Finally, yesterday I did take a long bath/shower and it was a bit of effort but I felt great after. This is really a personal subject so I hope it does not go all over the place. Depression really sucks and it affects me in so many ways. The less times I go outside the less I want to. Oh well, I will keep working on it and again thank you for your post, I appreciate it. : )

@nscappa
This comment comes a little late but regarding your cat most vets accept CareCredit. See if you qualify.
Big hug!

Guess what? I had CareCredit but my cat(s) used most of it and the rest was for the dentist. No more CareCredit but thank you for the recommendation. : )

I think the main cause is from Type 2 diabetes. Getting complications from has upset me. Getting incontinence both ways from it freaked me out. Loss of energy, well being feeling disappeared. Then the torture of insomnia. I had to stop working and that created financial problems. I feel totaly weak. If it was not for take of my cats I would jump off a bridge.

I hear you loud and clear! I HATE it! Always have. One theory I had was that it's genetic because my sister and my cousin both have the same aversion! We refer to the shower as the "water chamber" haha. Then I had a really goofy theory. My family is Syrian/Lebanese and our ancestors likely lived in dry desert conditions. Because water was such a limited resource it was wasteful to do things like bathe. So I figured they all took "sand baths". And I thought how funny because I LOVE being at the beach and laying directly on the warm soft sand. A sand bath! lol. Seriously though I understand and I feel less like a mature woman when I don't take basic care of myself. I'd never tell anyone! They'd think I was nuts so it was refreshing to see your post. My honest and serious theory about hating showers is that 1) I hate being cold. HATE IT. And 2) I'm very sensitive to things like loud noise or too many people in one place like at a party. The reason I think is because I feel kind of psychologically assaulted if that makes sense. Like it puts me on sensory overload. When I have to get in the shower I experience the same feeling and figured out that just the pounding of the water on my skin is just too much sensory input. It overwhelms me and God forbid if someone in the house flushes a toilet or turns on the hot water and suddenly the water is ice cold? It's a double whammy: cold AND tactile overload! Does any of this resonate with you? If not, try to pay close attention to your thoughts and feelings related to both your mental and physical state as you think about or get ready to take a shower. See if you can figure out what is happening that might help you identify what's influencing your feelings. It took me a long time to figure out my feelings of having sensory overload from the shower experience. And it kind of helps to understand it. At least I don't feel crazy or ashamed anymore. I hope this helps!