DEAR ABBY: I am a longtime divorcee and a retiree with grown kids. What is troubling me is I\u2019ve always had an issue with taking a shower and all the oil and dirt flowing down my body. I think it\u2019s gross, so I usually wash my hair in the kitchen sink. I also don\u2019t get in the shower to wash my body. I hate getting out of the shower and feeling cold, or trying to get dressed partially wet.<\/p>\n
\tWhen I\u2019ve been in relationships, I force myself to shower or wipe down with hospital-type wipes. (I still wash up this way, just not regularly, and I know it\u2019s gross.) I dry shave my legs and underarms when needed, but this is really an issue for me. I brush my teeth twice a day. I use a light perfume and often get compliments, but I know from reading your advice that seniors lose their sense of smell and I could be ripe. <\/p>\n
\tI don\u2019t know how to overcome this, and, for obvious reasons, I don\u2019t have a friend I can float this by. I\u2019m healthy and, like everyone, struggle with depression, but I don\u2019t feel it\u2019s bad enough to seek professional help. I\u2019m on a fixed income. <\/p>\n
\tJust curious as to what your thoughts are on this. It\u2019s been a good six weeks since I\u2019ve had a proper shower, and I find no justification for it other than I don\u2019t enjoy it. — UNSHOWERED IN ILLINOIS<\/p>\n
\tDEAR UNSHOWERED: If I thought your quirk could be solved as easily as buying a portable heater for your bathroom, I would suggest it. You state that you suffer from depression \u201clike everyone else.\u201d From the mail I receive, people do have problems interacting with interpersonal relationships, workplace issues, etc., but they do NOT \u201call\u201d suffer from depression. <\/p>\n
\tAlthough you live on a fixed income, you could benefit from discussing your issue with a licensed psychotherapist. Help is available on a sliding financial scale through your county\u2019s department of mental health or your local university with a department of psychology. While medication might help you overcome your depression, getting to the root of your shower avoidance will likely happen once you start talking.<\/p>\n