For the first time since November. After mentioning my unhygenic ways to people, I was suprised that I really am solitary in my condition. People refuse to believe that I have a problem, they put it down to laziness. I don't think I've ever been hygenic. I haven't brushed my teeth in about eight months, amongst other things.

Depression, anxiety, schizophrenia.. These are problems where people can say 'I'm not alone.' It seems as though I really am alone. I just wanted to hear your views on hygene and how it impacts your daily life. Why do people automatically dislike unclean people? And why, even though I am clean now, does it feel so awful to be dressed and clean?

I assure you I am not trying to vent hate, but a thread like this is bound to have disapproval. Just be sure to say something constructive rather than something abusive. I want to know peoples thoughts on hygene, and why I just can't seem to get a grip on it. I truely believe I have a problem.

Poor hygiene usually leads to bad body odour and bad breath, which is why people have a kneejerkk reaction of disliking unclean people.

I would pay attention to at least your teeth. You don't want the problems that will come later in your life with your teeth falling out and gum disease. Not to mention the risk of getting a brain infection.

As for feeling weird when your clean, it's because it is different than you normally feel.

Hygiene is not just for approval of others, it can have a real affect on your overall health and well being. Not that being clean is a prerequisite to good health, it just makes it harder to get sick in the first place. At least wash your hands before handling food or any first aid you may do on your self.

I like feeling clean, I like smelling nice, and I like living in a clean environment. I also have obsessive-compulsive disorder which leads me to clean and tidy up things way more than necessary. I like my cleanliness and symmetry, and I think that unhygienic people should make some changes in their life. Messy rooms and people make me cringe.

OP, is there any specific reasons as to why you refrain from being hygienic? The reason why you're feeling awful despite being clean is probably because you're not used to being it.

If you aren't depressed at all, you might have some kind of reverse OCD or similar phobia type thing I suppose. That is, if your life is functioning normally but you feel anxiety when it comes to cleaning your body. Might as well go talk it through with a therapist, can't hurt. I mean, eventually you are going to have a big dental bill if nothing else.

Reasons? That's a completely different kettle of fish I'm afraid. I suppose I feel as though if I'm clean that I'll have to do things I don't want to do. Does that make sense? I feel healthier and cleaner when I'm unclean. I often go to extreme measures to make sure I don't have to wash.

Some good advice. I have an appointment at the hospital to talk with a psychiatrist on the 5th of February.

Quite simply, people don't want to be around those who are unpleasant to be around. Chances are you're going to look and smell bad if you don't maintain proper hygiene, and it's unpleasant to others. I'd be curious as to if you've been professionally diagnosed with the disorders you mention...any doctor with his or her salt wouldn't diagnose you with such conditions without attempting to offer any means of helping you better your life (counseling, medication, etc.).

I take medication for depression, however I haven't been formally diagnosed with the disorder. I've been feeling alot better since taking them, but I do still have this huge barrier in my way, which is the unhygeine.

Well my dirty friend I don't know why you don't like to shower. I would like to encourage you to do so, life would be a lot easier for you, People can be pretty mean about that sort of thing.You might want to seek out some counciling, there could be underlying reasons for your behavior. Are you trying to distance youreelf from other people ?

Sounds like anxiety. Pain in the bum. No easy answers. Just try to push through.

between the age of 11 and 17 i did not ever brush my teeth once, they didn't get yellow or have any kind of plaque grow on them. but then i started to have these nightmares about my teeth fallout out, so i started brushing my teeth. sometimes i still forget, or I will be spending so much time at work during the week (20hr shifts), and for a length of time up to two weeks i will not brush my teeth. but then i get calculus on this one tooth and i have to scraqe it off.

Recently i've just taken my tooth brush to work and keep it in my locker, i brush before i punch in for the day every day now.

OP, your avatar just make your post all the more funny to me.

You really should try washing more, but unless you live in a trench or something, you won't die from being unclean. Just... smell bad...and make people want to avoid you... cause you stink. Stinky.

Until you're professionally diagnosed, such disorders are no excuse for any inaction regardless of whether or not medication is helping.

And honestly, I know that if it was me, a lack of hygiene would be a contributing factor to depression. I hate how I feel when I'm dirty, so I shower every day and brush my teeth twice a day. Any less than that and I'd just feel crappy.

I understand that it's no excuse. I was offered medication by my doctor and accepted. Things are different here in the UK. You will never hear me say that I suffer with depression. But I AM on medication for it. There's the difference.

I feel morbidly depressed when clean and outside. I don't want to get too far into it, but I'm so much happier when I'm dirty.

@Blackhand4 - LOL. I looked like Hagrid yesterday, until my six year old cousins gave me a shave, and my uncle gave me a haircut. Albeit a skinny Hagrid.

To late Bub, you posted this, and now we're going to fix you.

Reading this thread depresses me. Cleanliness is wonderful. I'm sorry OP, that you don't feel the same way.

"Excuses" are irrelevant in this kind of situation. It doesn't matter if people decide to condemn or not.

He asked why people view those who are physically unclean in a negative light, stating that those who he tells assume it's due to laziness. It's far easier to accept someone's problems if there's a legitimate reason for them; if he tells people that he has been professionally diagnosed as depressed/high anxiety/schizophrenic, they're far more likely to sympathize than if he was just to say that he suffered from any one of these things.

It is probably a good idea to talk to a councillor or a doctor, as it sounds kind of like a Brian Wilson/Howard Hughes kind of thing.

I cannot understand how anyone could dislike the serenity of a hot shower. I love showering. I'm alone to my thoughts, carressed in the only warm embrace I can ever feel. The scalding water cascading down my body makes me feel peaceful, and it's one of my favourite parts of the day because it's like I step outside of time and this world to be left to pondering. It's when I can be myself.

And I think I just answered my own question. Obviously, the OP feels like themselves when they neglect their hygiene. Of course, nobody appreciates anything like that, but is it really just because of how bad they smell, or is it simply because people hate seeing others being themselves?

Well, if someone was being themselves by smashing up cars, would you appreciate it? Bad smells are bad smells regardless of whether you're being yourself.

I agree with you Lexicon. There are fewer simpler things in life as enjoyable as a hot shower.

( CLINK of metal tankards )
To hot showers !

Why is personal hygiene so important? Well, beyond the smells and health reasons it is an evolutionary expression of worth. Basically, the idea is that if a person can afford the utensils and the time to clean him or herself, they are better suited for creating offspring than someone who lacks the time/resources/perceived 'self worth' to clean themselves.

Now, even if you do have the ability to keep clean, and simply choose not to, you are painted with the same brush because people can't be bothered to learn that before making a conclusion about you. The first impression is very important in interactions with new people. This isn't going to change, so chances are you're going to find it necessary to practice good hygiene to get where you wish to be in life. If you find that hard to do, or just want some guidance on how move towards that goal, I do recommend looking for a professional. Even if you're the only person in the world with your problem (and you're probably not), you're not really alone if you have people around you helping you.