• Replies 1 reply
  • Subscribers 81 subscribers
  • Views 435 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
Related
Hints and tips
  • To quote someone's message, first select/highlight the relevant text, and then use the Quote button that appears
  • To "mention" someone, type @ followed by the start of the forum name, and choose from the list; that person will get a notification of being mentioned

I really struggle to look after myself what do I do?

Marsi

Hi I'm 27 diagnosed in November of last year. I have noticed more recently that I really don't look after myself. I constant forget to eat and drink. To the point where I am very dehydrated almost constantly. I haven't eaten since 5pm last night so i haven't eaten in over 24 hours. I just can't register that's what I need to do. I also forget to shower and brush my hair. I have only recently been able to actually put clothes on. I hate how most clothes feel.

My partner works during the week. He's the only reason I eat or drink. He makes sure I do. but he already does a lot for me as I have other disabilities. I just can't function on my own. I've never been able to function on my own. what do I do? 

  • As the other comment touches on, it does depend on whether this is lack of awareness of mental health. 

    The schedule suggestion is a good idea. But if you are totally forgetting I would suggest an alarm. To begin with I'd stick with really easy foods. Forget about whether it's healthy or not. Something is better than nothing. Have a packet of something you like to hand and when the alarm goes off, have something to eat. You could perhaps agree with your partner that they help you with a regular meal say in the evening or something to help increase your intake. If you can get into the habit of doing this with the help of alarms then you could then build on this and increase what your eating/try to eat better foods.

    Showers are difficult. I struggle with those too. Don't worry about the expected. A lot of people are shocked if you don't shower every day but I have found I don't need to. Noone comments that I smell or anything and I definitely look clean so I think it's fine. Try to set yourself a target of how often you think you NEED to shower and then again, schedule and set alarms. Even set yourself up a little reward for doing it.

    If you struggle to manage even with strategies. I would suggest looking into claiming pip so that you can pay for some extra support.

    Hope that helps. And remember. You're aiming to do what is required for you, not what is considered "normal".