1. < Depression & Anxiety

Problem Taking Showers

Posted by nscappa @nscappa, Apr 22, 2023

I have mentioned this sensitive subject in the past but it's not getting any better. I do have depression and I take Lexapro, Lamictal, and now Abilify. The Abilify really screwed me up re mania, insomnia, constipation, talking incessantly, etc. I switched to half a pill every other day. I mention the meds just so you would l know what I am taking. The issue with taking a shower is still a huge effort way too hard to get in that shower. Is anyone else having this problem? It's really upsetting because I have always been such an immaculate person re hygiene. I do live alone so that saves me somewhat. This is really a big problem for me. Any comments?

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tc1945 | @tcainaru | Oct 3, 2024
In reply to @nscappa "I can relate very well. I take Lexapro, Lamictal, and Klonapin . The last one is..." + (show)
@nscappa

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.

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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.

REPLY
louisy | @louisy | 10 hours ago
In reply to @andytheman "What’s causing it to be so hard to take a shower? You don’t like to get..." + (show)
@andytheman

What’s causing it to be so hard to take a shower? You don’t like to get wet? Your brain on medication is affecting your balance? I had to switch to a cane because my vertigo was making it hard to keep my balance. I need to use my cane in the shower and the grab bars until I figured I needed to sit in a shower seat.

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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!

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