I haven't showered in two weeks

[Redlined]

I also only eat takeaway, one meal a day, two at most. I can't sleep or get my behind in front of the computer to work. I've been mentally unwell on and off for decades, and I'm tired. I don't think I've washed my hair in a month. I envy people who have lives they can cope with. I cannot.

Did you used to eat a little better, and then was your health overall a little better? Vit C for instance may be very lacking. if you have to have takeaway, I would vary what you eat and look for the more healthy choices.

Small steps OP.

Eating every day is a huge success, well done. What kind of takeaways are you going to get today? Do you want some help choosing a slightly healthy one?

You can get in the shower completely fully clothed if you want. There are no rules. Lie down in it. Don’t use any soap and just feel the warm water.

Don't beat yourself up about it. Do you have a bath? If so could you run a nice warm bath? Might feel more manageable.

There aren't really any healthy takeaways around here, I don't live in a big city. There's pizza and curry and McDonald's, that's pretty much it. I do work yes, but I haven't been in a long time.

Hi @Redlined I've just had my first shower since either Thursday or Friday, I can't remember which.
I had to have a shower basically because I was offered a lift to Tesco to stock up on food; I don't have the money for takeaways but to be fair I don't cook either. I usually eat porridge, snack bars & sandwiches.

I'm also working pt and on shift tomorrow so have to show up clean & smart.
I've been on a week's annual leave which has made me really depressed.

I think if I wfh or didn't work then self care could go out the window. Partly due to depression & partly due to the negative symptoms of Schizoaffective disorder.
So I get where you're coming from.
It took me all morning to get in the shower to be honest but once I was stood in the warm water the depression lifted just a bit for me to be able to wash.

I hope you will be able to find a way to have a wash or even go in the shower.

I also wonder if you should think again about anti depressants & speaking to your gp.
I tried two SSRIs but they didn't work so the psychiatrist put me on an SNRI Venlafaxine which acts differently & it worked. I've had to increase it twice.
But now can't increase anymore.

Because the venlafaxine keeps kicking in I feel v depressed one moment then fine again for a while...

You could possibly ask your gp for a referral to your local mental health team who have much more experience with depression than your gp.

Do you just need somewhere to vent, or would you like constructive advice? I'm all too aware that "just have a shower, go to the shops and while you're at it run 5K" is useless, but if there's something specific you'd like help with we might be able to brainstorm some solutions?

I only wash and dress because I have to collect DD from nursery and be seen by the staff. I wfh in my pajamas. If I have video calls I tell them my internet can't handle the video so I have to be audio only.

You're not alone.

Please have a look at the phone numbers I posted upthread, even if you just ring the samaritans for someone to talk to.

I have shashlik from the Indian if I'm trying to be healthy - it's chicken kebabs, marinated but no sauce. Usually kebabed veg with it too and salad. Or chicken kebabs from the generic take away we have. Chicken, pitta, salad - I love the pickled/brined chilies it comes with.

What are your favourite take aways?

Indian can be pretty healthy. I love a shashlik, have you ever had it?

Hi there I don't have any MH issues but I do have ADHD and I totally understand what you are experiencing some days with ADHD it's extremely difficult to motivate your brain let alone your body to be proactive.
I tend to get into complete lows due to my routine slipping especially housework. It always shocks me how much better it makes me feel mentally to sort out my bedroom.

Are you on medication for the ADHD? I was palmed off for 2 years with antidepressants before they attempted any sort of stimulants but I have found they have helped me immensely.

You are doing really well to hold down a job op. Be proud of what you are still doing, what you can still do and try to build on that.

@Icanseegreenshoots

You are doing really well to hold down a job op. Be proud of what you are still doing, what you can still do and try to build on that.

But I am not holding down a job. I have been off sick for nearly six months. My GP meanwhile won't refer me to the mental health team, because unless you are about to stab your neighbour you are doing fine. They look at me and see nothing wrong. I've been struggling against that for years, I can't do it anymore. Last I went there I was told 'have you tried taking up a new hobby?'

I don't think I'm looking for advice really, I'm not sure why I posted. Maybe because nobody in my real life cares or believes me. I've tried everything that is available to me already. It doesn't help end I've reached the end of the road of what can be done. I have no faith in the system anymore.

Ah, I am sorry I read your post and it said you work but haven't been there in a long time. I (wrongly) assumed you were working from home.

This is a good place to come, people do care here, and I am sorry you don't have that in real life. That is very hard. Are you able to raise some money to see someone privately op?
In a sense the onus is on us to deal with it, I don't think there are any magic solutions - we have to make the best of whatever life we have.

I have really struggled, and looking back I couldn't get better until I was ready to get better, if that makes any sense? I don't expect myself to be perfect, or to meet other people's expectations - I do what I can in my life to bring some pleasure, some joy and some peace. I am sorry you have not had more support op.

Get a different GP. I know that's easier said than done, but you don't have to stay with someone who's shit.

OP, it sounds as though you are being badly let down.
Do your employers offer any support scheme? Employee Assistance type thing?
Do you feel you can change GP? Is there another at your surgery you can change to?
How are you feeling today? Feel up to having a shower and hair wash?