Stories
Privacy
Download
See Alike in...
Alike App
Browser
509d
How do y'all handle hygiene upkeep? Between my ADHD and my depression it seems I can never be consistent with showers/brushing my teeth/anything really. And that in turn makes me more depressed and anxious because I feel ugly and disgusting. So lost😥
14
16
Share
Acute Anxiety
Depression
Attention-Deficit Disorder
advertisement
Tbh, I treat myself like a kid. I talk to myself like a child, I don't reprimand myself like my parents did for me. If you skip a couple days, thats okay. Again, see yourself as a child. Be gentle with yourself, and get as much as you can get done, done. And this doesnt just go for hygiene.
8
507d
for me pretending i’m making a tutorial video or actually making a tutorial video of me cleaning my room, how to properly wash your hair, how to do the dishes, etc. helps trick my mind into seeing it as a much simpler task than my mind is making it out to be 💗
3
@kieanne hahaha omg I commented the same thing! so funny that someone else does the same thing 😊 I feel like it’s a life hack haha
0
@Lonelyturtle it does help tho! i usually do more for other people than i do for myself. so i pretend i am cleaning my room for someone else when in the end it’s for me. helps me heal myself and makes me question why i’d do more for others than for me. but i can tell i am slowly healing mentally comparing from where i am last year. sorry i ramble 😂💗
This is going to be the dumbest answer but when I struggle having to take a shower… I pretend I’m doing a get ready with me vlog lmaooo
1
@Lonelyturtle It motivates me because it makes it fun rather than thinking of it as a chore
Tbh, I'm not consistent.. and I don't think you need to be. If you're able to shower every few days, that's great! If you don't have the executive function to brush your teeth one night, don't. You could even buy those tiny camping/travel toothbrushes(I think they're called whispies, but idk) and stash them next to your bed. Make it easy. You don't have to perform the task the "normal" way. You're allowed to do it an easier way, as long as the task gets done eventually(because your health matters🥺)
508d
My job holds me accountable since it's food related. Forces me to at least shower frequently. And I keep my deodorant and a fragrance by my keys so I make sure I put them on before I leave the house.
Take baths!
Particularly for the depression element I live by the saying "anything worth doing is worth half doing" so if I cant shower I will use a wet wipe to at least freshen up. If I cant brush my teeth I use mouth wash. If I cant get out of bed I at least stretch in bed. The ADD is difficult but I slowly build routines. Eg. I started with I brushed my teeth before going to sleep then I added washing my face on, then showering, etc
2
I end up taking really long showers, which is a problem because of the water bill and us already being super tight on money 😥
For me I take small steps. For example I started with making it a goal to brush my teeth once a day. Then when I got comfortable with that I started doing it twice a day.
For me, I'm really into art and creativity. It's the only thing that calms my adhd, depression, and ,anxiety all at the same time so I made a bullet journal for daily/monthly things. My motivation is "if I do this today I get to color." which helps me haha. So I basically treat myself like a toddler haha
I use an app called Finch -- it's the only goal-keeping app I've stuck with for more than a month bc of the way it's designed. It doesn't focus on "streaks" or on losing them, never makes me feel like a screw-up, is all-around gentle, understanding, & fun 😊 (also virtually everything on it is available in the free version if you need!)
5
@melabeille THANK YOU! That's wonderful. I can never handle streak-based motivation bc my adhd is already too all-or-nothing. I'll try it!
For me personally I use them as "I can't do _ before I do _" kinda thing. So like "I can't go to bed till I shower, even if just a quick body shower with soap". Pf course it doesn't work for everyone, but for me it works. Setting up a step by step routine with a checklist helps.
☝ This content is generated by our users and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with your physician before making any medical decision
Want to chat or share? Download the Alike app now and get complete access to Alike.health's unique features.
Instantly get answers to medical questions with our AI, built from the collective wisdom of our community facing similar experiences
Write your question here...
Download Alike for the full experience
Copy Link
Copied
Discover your Alikeness™ with people who are on the same journey, gain wisdom and get emotional relief in a secure & anonymous space.
4.7 Ratings
Scan code or click below download the app
Bupropion
night sweats
paranoid
Valium
sertraline
palpitations
Anxiety (Including GAD)
Alike health
Instantly get answers to medical questions with our AI, built from the collective wisdom of our community facing similar experiences
Related Questions