Anxiety and clothing

Keep posting, someone on here will help you.

I guess I should say a few things about myself. I’m 22 years old and have been dealing with mental health issues since I was 14/15 years old. I have tried antidepressants and find them to either make things worse or the side effects to be too much to handle. I’ve also tried benzos which do help with the anxiety but don’t want to be on them long term due to their addictive nature. Haven’t had the best of luck with doctors and been trying to find things online specific to my clothing issues. Hope that helps answers some questions.

kenneypowers69. So you have severe anxiety, are on no medication , don’t have a doctor and having a clothing issue severe enough to ask for help on this site? Do you live in a small city or large city? Did the Benzos help with the clothing issue when you took them? How many antidepressants did you try?

@kennypowers69 Welcome to Mayo Connect. We are not medical doctors, however we do share our own experiences and struggles with the hope of helping others on their own journeys.

Unless you can live in a clothing-optional situation, this issue with fabric must be frustrating! I know that for me, wearing natural fibers as much as possible, really helps, except I don't like wool. There are some nice brushed cotton clothes. I usually buy things a size [at least!] larger than needed so I don't feel restricted, and will not wear anything crew neck, because it makes me feel like I am being choked. I found that washing my clothes in liquid detergent designed with no harsh chemicals, no dyes, no perfumes, helps. Drying clothes outside in the fresh air is nice if you can do it.

Have you thought about maybe your skin is real sensitive, rather than the material? Have you tried body washes designed for sensitive skin? In my experience, what works for me is liquid castle soap, and I have used it for decades! It cleans, doesn't leave a residue. Sometimes I use an unscented lotion.

I hope to hear from you again, and that you will let me know what you decide to do.
Ginger

I am on and off clonazepam and it helps somewhat, better than any antidepressant has been. I don’t like antidepressants and the way they make me feel so that’s an avenue I prefer not to go down again. I’ve seen a few doctors and psychiatrist with not much help or understanding from them of my issues. I live in a medium size city. I’d prefer to try this without taking any medication. I wish I could tell you have many different antidepressants I’ve been on but it’s been quite a few of them.

I am in my 70's.l I have had this all of my life. I have been on a lot of different drugs. None agreed with me or helped me as much as Klonopin. I am now on K twice daily and Zoloft 1time a day. I am not fantastic but better than usual. I hat pills but guess I will never get over this, and so far this is it. I hve been on so many...and you know all psychiatrists are different...i HAVE BEEN TO SOME BAD ONES. bLESS YOU.

Thanks for the reply ginger. The one fabric I’ve found doesn’t bug me as much is polyester. I can’t stand cotton because I find it to be heavy or hot to wear. I have bad sweating issues so that almost makes any clothes uncomfortable to wear. I would love to be able to wear any type of clothing because it’s hard to limit yourself to only being able to wear one pair of clothes all the time. I don’t find any soaps or detergents to bother my skin. I believe it’s my anxiety that makes me think it’s tight or feel uncomfortable. I’d like to find clothing something in between a bit baggy but still fits good. There’s not many stores in my town to buy clothes so that makes it very difficult as well. I hope that helps answer some of your questions.

Thanks for answering Mattie, I’ve tried Zoloft and that was one I really didn’t like at all. The klonopin helps with my anxiety but not necessarily my clothing problem. I totally agree that all psychiatrist are different, it’s just hard finding the right one for you. Plus the side effects of antidepressants I find are hard to deal with, which makes it difficult for me to take them. I’m glad to here that I’m not the only one dealing with this issue, thank you very much for sharing.

I will bet it is your nerves. I cannot stand wool or anything rough or scratchy. I lik soft cotton like sweats, hoiwever. Nothing heavy.Guess I have sp,e claustrpphobia also. I went through about5 or 6 psy. no good no help. One did tell me to work, and it helped. Sometimes a regular DO can help you better withoug\t heavy drugs. I believe you need to learn to relax and get calmer for a bit and slowly talk yourseld into the idea that whatever clothing you like will feel good on your skin. Touch it,talk to yourself positively, and again and again . It is amazing what the brain can do and you can teach your brain. Dont be in a rush.

I totally agree with what you’re saying. Unfortunately i’m a very impatient person and dealing with mental illness this long, it’s been hard to have a positive mindset. I seem to gravitate towards the negativity which I know is not the right thing to do but it’s hard to see the sun when all you see are clouds.