that can be true of some people with schizophrenia, just like it can be true with some people who have PD, or people with depression, or people with no diagnosable mental health problem.
i don't think having a diagnosis of schizophrenia goes alongside being unclean at all, by any stretch of the imagination.
whenever anyone becomes ill, whether physically or mentally then personal hygiene can often go downhill. i am in hospital at the moment, have BPD and psychosis and i haven't washed my hair for well over a week for fear of some of the things i am experiencing. i am however having baths every evening.
i know many mentally healthy people who are not that clean, and many mentally ill ones who are.
also it's important to note that someone with a diagnosis of schizophrenia may function very well when they are not experiencing an acute episode of psychosis.
Yes that can be true.
On my uni course there is a schizophrenic & when he isn't taking is medication correctly, he does smell a little, but when he's taking his medication correctly, then he obviously showers regularly because he doesn't smell.
I think people with any mental illness can neglect their personal hygiene. Most of the time, someone with a MH problem wont have the energy or motivation to bathe or clean themselves.
When I feel ill, I go days without bathing.
Isn’t it funny how day by day nothing changes but when you look back, everything is different…
you once called your brain a hard drive, well say hello to the virus.
I'm not going to lie, I think people would be very happy if I had a shower right now :p
I think it's just a progression of things with depression, you feel bad, & you start not seeing the point in anything, so then you get to the point where even personal hygiene has no point.
I can see people's point here actually. When I'm feeling my worst I often won't shower for a week until my hair's that horrible I can't sleep for it itching...
It makes sense. Most people with depression / schizophrenia etc get low mood and they dont want to make themselves look good, because they dont see the point and possibly have low self esteem.
It's like that with me, anyway. Why have a bath when I think I am this disgusting person?
(But right now, I'm feeling okay, I did have a bath yesterday :p)
Isn’t it funny how day by day nothing changes but when you look back, everything is different…
you once called your brain a hard drive, well say hello to the virus.
I think it's just a progression of things with depression, you feel bad, & you start not seeing the point in anything, so then you get to the point where even personal hygiene has no point
*nods*
A little angel fell into my arms at the 7th of december 2010
Well neglecting personal hygiene doesn't make someone schizophrenic and being schizophrenic doesn't mean someone neglects their personal hygiene. It just happens to be one of the many criteria, they aren't all necessary for a diagnosis.
18.11 28.4 6.5 22.31
My heart just needs his smile, that i can't forget, like so melancholy a kiss.
Hey, I'm defintely not schizophrenic but didn't wash for many days this week just because felt so low and beyond the energy I had -gross, I know but want to reassure you.
"Everything is possible through Christ, who gives me strength". Phillipians 4:13
Kind of just repeating what everyone here has said,
a lot of things can cause a person to neglect personal hygiene. Often if a person is mentally ill, depending on the illness and how much it affects their life they may start to neglect their personal hygiene.
I have been going through a pretty crappy time lately and its REALLY tough for me to take care of myself right now.
im not schizophrenic but do have qutie serious mental health problems.
And i really struggle with personal hygiene.
Sometimes i notice when it goes downhill.
Sometimes i dont.
And about a year or so ago my manager was really concerned and had to pull me aside cos i wasnt looking after myself properly but didnt realise how bad things had got.
It led to me realising i needed help as i was really struggling with my mental health again and we realised that may be what causes it a lot [oh as well as the tablets that i take in large quantities daily in OD which i have been doing in an escalating way for a long time now which can also cause excessive sweating but not discussed this with work as they dont know much of situation] and i was then referred back to the CMHT and now still have a CPN who monitors this with me and encourages me especially when im struggling with it.
i was so embarrassed and ashamed and upset when my manager spoke to me and felt a failure etc but she was only concerned [well as well as probably not wanting smelly people in the workplace which is only fair!] and she told me in the nicest possible way.i still struggle with my hygeine but am very grateful for what she did now.
So yes i think mental health problems in general can sometimes make problems with personal hygeine more likely but i certainly wouldnt say thats always the case.
But as i say i still feel really ashamed and embarrassed and so alone about this issue and the extent that it has happened to me but it is just something that happens and something i have to deal with i guess.
im sorry this has been so long and ive gone on about me but just thought id share my experiences too *runs off and hides with shame and embarrassment!*.
i do not always manage to be around but i wish you all the very best - love and luck to you all!
And about a year or so ago my manager was really concerned and had to pull me aside cos i wasnt looking after myself properly but didnt realise how bad things had got.
When i was at my lowest, i didn't care of how i looked or how clean i was, and at some point my friend came to my dorm and made me a 'make-over' and asked me to clean and stuff...
I still struggle with this,
It's not that i am dirty, but i don't remember AT ALL.
A little angel fell into my arms at the 7th of december 2010
Heya,
Umm I think with all mental illness you start to get so ill that you don't see a point in anything and can't be bothered. So washing and stuff tends to go down the drain, it kinda did with me. =/ x
