topic This past year my personal hygiene has declined dramatically to where I will go up to two weeks without bathing.... in Young people

This past year my personal hygiene has declined dramatically to where I will go up to two weeks without bathing....

MsCroft — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 04:23:53 GMT

I've been depressed for as long as I could remember, but it's never been this bad. I don't feel the need to shower, wash my hair, brush my hair or teeth, I barely leave my room, and I've become pale. I usually don't eat food, but when I do, It's junk food. I've lost a lot of weight (Which I am not complaining about) But I'm losing it to fast. I usually get told I smell and I get super defensive and sad to the point where I have a complete meltdown, I just can't work up the energy to allow my personal hygiene to be accepted.... I feel ugly, and there's nothing I can do... Why is this happening? I know it's disgusting and rather inhuman... But I can't change this, I barely wash my clothes.... Help.

This past year my personal hygiene has declined dramatically to where I will go up to two weeks without bathing....

Guest_1055 — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 08:24:08 GMT

Hello MsCroft

I know what it is like to have no energy, to physically take care of yourself. Even your basic human needs. As you have had depression a long time, you mostly know it is hard to care about anything sometimes.

Is there anyone at your place that could help you? Perhaps even prepare a small healthy meal. I would encourage you to stay clear of the junk food. I do speak from personal experience here. As eating this just robs your physical body. You feel like absolute crap. I know it is hard to motivate yourself. But please try, even eating a fresh banana would be a benefit. At the moment I am in to grapes, as they are pretty cheap.

I do think as soon as you start nourishing your body with the proper nutrients it actually needs to function, you will start to have a bit more energy. Then little by little ......just baby steps things may improve a bit for you.

You obviously have a bit of fight in you to act defensive. So there is a bit of strength there within you. You can too this!

Baby steps....baby steps....baby steps

Here is a hug, I am sending out to you, if you like hugs.

I care about you,with love

Shell xx

This past year my personal hygiene has declined dramatically to where I will go up to two weeks without bathing....

Zeal — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 08:34:22 GMT

Hi Ms Croft,

Welcome to the forum!

I was so concerned after reading your post! If you don't mind me asking, have you been diagnosed with depression by a professional before? Or sought treatment? I urge you to get a home-visit by a general practitioner (could be your family doctor). Your rapid weight loss and lack of interest in basic aspects of routine life such as washing and eating are concerning, but are treatable. You can get better if you seek help now.

Is your severe lack of motivation and lack of interest in food (and resulting weight loss) accompanied by symptoms such as severe tiredness and feelings of intense sadness? You can talk to your doctor about what could have caused this period of depression. It will help to be able to tell them how long this has been going on for.

I hope you can get help soon! If you live with your parents, talk to them about what's going on so that you have their support.

Best wishes,

This past year my personal hygiene has declined dramatically to where I will go up to two weeks without bathing....

MsCroft — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 09:15:30 GMT

Yes, I have been diagnosed with depression and general anxiety disorder. I started on medication. I just haven't been feeling myself, My family are not being supportive, telling me I don't need antidepressants, when clearly I do. I have a doctors appointment to get a referral for mental health team.

This past year my personal hygiene has declined dramatically to where I will go up to two weeks without bathing....

Guest_1055 — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 02:06:03 GMT

Hello

I was thinking of you, and just wondering how you are today. I do hope you start to feel better soon.

Much love to you

Shelley xxx

This past year my personal hygiene has declined dramatically to where I will go up to two weeks without bathing....

MsCroft — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 03:00:00 GMT

Hey Shelley,

Thanks for asking how my day is going, not too many people are concerned about my day. This morning I was able to eat a piece of toast and im drinking as much water as possible, as I have been told im severely dehydrating my body. My day is like any other day, not good or bad, just another day. Dosen't really change.

Thanks again for asking how I am.... It means a lot.

Kind Regards,

Oliviah

This past year my personal hygiene has declined dramatically to where I will go up to two weeks without bathing....

Starwolf — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 03:09:28 GMT

Hi again MsCroft,

I did post on your other thread and you have already received excellent advice here, so I'll be brief.

Yes, that's what depression does to you...You have been fighting against others within your school environment and also yourself. No wonder you're exhausted to the point that you have no motivation left.

You do not have to go it alone and you know this as you have already taken a few brave steps towards accessing support. So well done, give yourself a pat on the back. Perhaps your family is not supportive because they know little about what depression really is. Few people do. I hope that -somewhere along the line- your parents will be offered the opportunity to learn why you are suffering and what they can do to help ease the pain. This info is often better accepted if it comes from knowledgeable outsiders (like a therapist). It is also important that you should seek support from your school if a counselor is is available.

Learning to cope with depression is a long road, with ups and downs, tight curves and obstacles on the way. It also has its glorious moments and victories. It will be well worth the effort in the end... and so are you. Depression can be managed so that you can reclaim the quality of life that you deserve.

As posted before, you are a beautiful person but depression blinds us to the beautiful side of life and also our own. You deserve both being supported and looking after yourself. As Shelley so rightly pointed out...one small step at a time does it. No one else can do this for you but we will be here for you through setbacks and victories alike.

You've already made great, positive decisions so thank you again for your contribution. It is much appreciated.

This past year my personal hygiene has declined dramatically to where I will go up to two weeks without bathing....

Guest_1055 — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 21:59:02 GMT

Good Morning Olivah

Did you sleep well last night? I am glad you at least ate a piece of toast. So if you live at a boarding school, would you normally go to a community dining room to eat then? Today I am going to try and eat plenty of vegetables and fruit. And like you.... drink plenty of water.

If I am not being too nosey... Like what subjects are you studying?

I do hope you have a better day today.

With much love and hugs ( do you like hugs)

Shelley xx

This past year my personal hygiene has declined dramatically to where I will go up to two weeks without bathing....

MsCroft — Thu, 03 Mar 2016 01:20:11 GMT

Hey Starwolf,

Thank you, and I am aware that depression is hard for some to understand as only a few do, but I do not have the words to explain it, and even if I did, I'm sure they wouldn't suffice... And on my other thread you said it's a natural thing, but I never really took notice to any of it because the world never phased me, I've always been by myself, no friends or anything. I moved around a lot which didn't leave me a lot choices. I'm letting it all affect me to the point even when people aren't saying anything about me or towards me, I hear their voice repeating negative things........ AT this rate, I'll be a middle aged woman, living in a rented flat, curtains cosed, dark rooms, fifty cats, and Netflix...... Ugh! 😞

Kind Regards, Oliviah.

This past year my personal hygiene has declined dramatically to where I will go up to two weeks without bathing....

MsCroft — Thu, 03 Mar 2016 01:24:36 GMT

Good Morning Shelley,

I didn't sleep much last night, I fell asleep at 12 and woke up at 6:30.... I do eat at a big dining hall, where I usually just sit there, I've been told to eat and almost forced to, But I usually grab a plate of food and play with it with my fork........ Fruits and Vegetables are good, especially water! :3

Not being nosy at all...

I do-

English

Math

Cert II in information digital media

Music

HPE and I have one spare.

I am currently failing at HPE simply because I'm too scared to go.

I hope you're having a fantastic day, and yes I don't mind hugs.

Kind Regards, Oliviah.

This past year my personal hygiene has declined dramatically to where I will go up to two weeks without bathing....

Guest_1055 — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 02:20:17 GMT

Good Afternoon Olivah..

How is your day coming along? And since you don't mind hugs, well I am sending you one now from my heart to yours. I hope you don't feel smothered or anything...

I don't know much about boarding school life, but there is another member on here that goes to boarding School as well. Her name is Grace, but her member name is Graceeeee. She is probably about the same age as you as well.

Yes I did music at School as well. I was playing the flute. Do you play an instrument or sing maybe? I often think about what it would feel like to be able to sing really well. I think you would feel a sense of freedom, and you could let all your feelings out in song.

I hope you don't feel forced by me asking about what you are eating or anything. I know I am a stranger to you, but I do care about you. And I actually can't stand the thought of you struggling. I do wish I could help you more. Have you thought of a nutritional type drink? You can buy them from the pharmacies. One is called Sustagen. Another member on here drinks that. I have been eating a bit of fruit and had a small serving of pot pie. The pie had lots of vegetables in it.

Anyway I do hope you are feeling a bit better.

Oh I almost forgot, how long have you been on the medication? Because I have read on here, on Beyond Blue, that it can take a little while for the medication to sort of work.

OK bye now

With much love

Shell xx

This past year my personal hygiene has declined dramatically to where I will go up to two weeks without bathing....

Starwolf — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 23:28:49 GMT

Good morning Oliviah,

How is your week-end going so far ?

Hey, you don't have to end up a middle aged woman confined to her home by anxiety and depression. The condition can be managed...it is not a life sentence of misery. However, it may take time to figure what health plan suits your personal needs best. It is important to keep your GP and/or mental health specialist tuned in to how it all goes for you. I guess your appointment with a therapist is yet to happen... S/he will understand the mechanism of depression and work with you towards devising a suitable plan. Hang in there Oliviah.

I find myself wondering how you spend your off school time ? As Shelley pointed out, there are activities that you may enjoy which don't involve interaction with the world at large. Have you thought of keeping a diary ? Many people find that venting out their feelings this way is helpful. It helps throwing things out there on the paper in front of you instead of bottling them up inside. And yes, music also has a therapeutic effect. Adult colouring books (available from newsagents) are also often mentioned...Anything that makes you feel good and keeps you out of yourself for a while.

Some people do care Oliviah. Some of us know all about mental/emotional anguish and what it feels like, how frustrating, isolating, painful it is. Reaching out was a wise decision. We are here for you.

Love and cyber hugs.

This past year my personal hygiene has declined dramatically to where I will go up to two weeks without bathing....

Guest_1055 — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 01:14:59 GMT

Hey Oliviah........

Thinking of you just now, and wondering how you are today. I do hope you are started to feel better.

Hugs

Shelley xx

This past year my personal hygiene has declined dramatically to where I will go up to two weeks without bathing....

Starwolf — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 00:34:53 GMT

Hi Oliviah,

Just wondering how you're coping...and letting you know that Sustagen- mentioned by Shelley- is a high nutrition drink available from supermarkets.

You are in my thoughts. I wish you well.

This past year my personal hygiene has declined dramatically to where I will go up to two weeks without bathing....

Guest_1055 — Sat, 19 Mar 2016 22:51:27 GMT

Good Morning Oliviah

I woke up this morning seeing your beautiful name in my thoughts. So I decided I would just pop into one of you threads here on Beyond Blue and say hello. So hello to you! And I am also sending a hug out to you, just ....in case you need or want one.

How are you getting along? Are you feeling much better now? I am not sure of what else to say. But I do hope you are coping OK.

In my thoughts

Shelley xx

This past year my personal hygiene has declined dramatically to where I will go up to two weeks without bathing....

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