Finally managed to get changed

[ofwarren]

I know it's disgusting but I've been locked in inertia since before Christmas but today I've finally managed to get out of the clothes I was wearing and get into the bath.
This is probably the longest period I've gone without washing or changing my clothes. I've even slept in them. The only thing I continued to do was brush my teeth. It's like they become a comfort and I can't face wearing anything else.

The clothes I am wearing at the moment feel so wrong and I just want my others back 😔 I've put them in the washing machine though and will put them back on as soon as they are done.

I have managed to write a to do list today and have made lots of appointments that I had been putting off. I have also ordered some tops the same as the ones I was wearing, so at least I can change my clothes if it happens again.

Does this happen to anyone else?

ahh, well done.

good idea to get the same tops.

Please don’t feel alone with this. I sometimes go through maybe 2-3 days or a week where I am too exhausted to do very much and the sensation/effort of changing, washing and redressing is off putting/feels impossible.

Early summer and late autumn I usually update my wardrobe - I have multiple pairs of the same shoes, trousers/dresses/tops/underwear in multiple colour ways. This is enough to ensure I’m comfortable and to avoid drawing attention.

You’ll get there.

Try avoid this boom/bust cycle where you are either mega busy or virtually paralysed. Take the pressure off and give yourself say 3-5 tasks a day max beyond washing and eating. It’s enough when you’re unwell and recovering from a more difficult period like you’ve had. Christmas is a funny time of year.

My jumper feels so weird after being washed 😔
I think it's probably just gone back to its proper shape after being stretched out being worn so long.
I feel better for being clean though.

Christmas always takes it out of me. I'm glad when it's over every year.

Have you spoken to your GP about depression? This doesn’t sound like a symptom of neurodiversity (not saying you aren’t ND, but you can be ND and still be depressed).

I don't feel depressed at all
I get stuck in a feeling where I just can't cope with getting changed. I'm one of those autistics who likes compression and not having any air on my skin so full length sleeves and leggings at all times.

It happens at stressful times where I just can't cope with what getting changed involves. I hate the bath at the best of times. Getting wet and cold and all the uneven sensations.

It's definitely all sensory.

@ofwarren totally agree I have a lot of sensory needs too - hence the name!!

Tight leggings, tights, close fitting tops under baggier ones so I always feel secure.

When you’re stressed removing it all and then as you say coping with all the cold in air/hot-damp in water/cold-damp in air/hot in air(getting dried)/cold (before getting dressed) sensations and transitions, it’s a lot to deal with.

Exactly that. I wear the baggier jumper over the close fitting top and that's why it feels odd because it's tightened up a bit in the washing machine. I keep pulling at it.

I can handle the sensory issues when I don't feel stressed with other things

Hope you’re ok @ofwarren I know it feels weird but you will get past this.

Definitely get a routine of sorting a “uniform” as such so you have alternatives. Even changing shower head/water pressure, listening to music, having a visual schedule/list, radiator in bathroom can help you. So read up around things like that for washing and dressing transitions. There are lots of strategies.