To think that this probably isn't normal?

[notnormalmaybe]

I really struggle with the basics of looking after myself. Preparing meals, getting dressed, brushing my teeth, washing my face, drinking water. It takes a lot of effort for me, and most of the time I don't bother when I'm just at home. I'm ok at keeping my home clean but only because I get a lot of comfort from my environment. When I work from home I do the bare minimum to look presentable in virtual meetings - makeup, styled hair and a nice top - but will struggle to motivate myself to brush my teeth, wash my face and eat something. It's like a complete facade.

However, anyone who doesn't live with me wouldn't know from the outside looking in. Whenever I go out I kind of go in the opposite direction and will have freshly washed hair, a full face of makeup, manicured nails, etc.

I always thought it was due to childhood as I remember lazy half-terms when me and my siblings would stay in our PJs and watch TV all day. But I'm starting to wonder if it's something more. I don't think it's depression as it has been consistent throughout a lot of phases of my life.

Does anyone else relate?

I can relate to this, although my poor physical health over the last couple of years has also contributed. I hate mess but my house is a tip in parts & needs so much doing - most of the time the kitchen gets done & that’s about it. I have loads of body lotions, make up & jewellery but hardly ever bother using any of it. The shower thing rang a bell too, although it’s partly because our bathroom is awful! It’s on the list to be done up.
One thing I have been trying to improve on is how I dress, as I live in leggings.

I have similar struggles. Just now I'm having CBT for anxiety- I've always experienced anxiety, but not sought help for it until relatively recently. Sessions have have covered how overwhelm is often a result of anxiety. I find so many day to day tasks anxiety provoking, which is so tiring that I don't have the mental energy to do basic thinks without a lot of effort. I look at other people and just think 'how are you doing all this? Aren't you tired?'

Completely depends on what I’m doing! Day that requires a lot of executive functioning then I can only put my concentration into the things that need doing. So eating and drinking becomes obsolete until it’s time to give the children dinner, some days I’m too wiped to eat myself then. But there are other days (weekends usually when they’re with their dad) that I literally don’t know what to do with myself or where to start with all the chattering my brain is doing, so I’ll snack and drink coffee all day. Then all the sugar and caffeine makes me crash badly and I spend the rest of the week exhausted. It’s a crappy cycle to be honest, I really hope I get my adhd diagnosis soon so I can have some support, may try medication.

Me too.

Autistic and have depression but I strongly suspect I have ADHD so it's interesting to see pp mention a link.