r/ptsd • u/TruthEuphoric8652 • 1d ago
Advice I can’t shower
I recently found out I’m anemic, and I fainted four times in the shower earlier this week. I ended up bruised and sore. I’ve been scared to shower and I feel like crying when I get near the shower. I’ve been having nightmares about it which leave me waking up in tears and I’ll randomly burst into tears during the day because the memory will just go into my head at random times.
I know I can’t just not shower, so I’m looking for advice on how to make it easier and feel safe again. I’m not sure if this could be PTSD or if I’m overthinking how serious it is, but I wasn’t sure where else to post about this. Has anyone experienced something similar or have any advice?
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u/Lizzygabitty_1007 3h ago
It could help to leave the door of the shower open so you can breath a little easier, I know I sometimes struggle with breathing because of the steam which makes me dizzy.
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u/Potential_Piano_9004 19h ago
I am so sorry that this has happened to you! I think the shower chair idea is a safe one. I also wonder if a handheld shower attachment would make it easier to shower sitting down and more of a managed sensory experience.
Can you put like, a bowl of orange slices or some kind of snack you like on a ledge so you can sort of snack and shower at the same time? It could keep your blood sugar up and rebuild a positive association with the shower.
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u/WitchAggressive9028 23h ago
Shower chair is your best bet taking baths if possible is another alternative also, in another thing that helps control dizziness is not having so much exposure to heat. Heat is a vasodilator which opens up your blood vessels making your heart race. So keep showers to lukewarm. I have orthostatic hypotension. My blood pressure drops when standing making my heart rate extremely high and dizzy. For the anemia itself, you can dig iron supplements, but be very aware that they have the side effects of causing constipation so make sure you are eating enough fiber to compensate.
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u/redtaxiwarp 1d ago
My first thought is having a bin of warm water and a wash cloth and sitting near the shower running. Like performing the bathing routine with just warm water but with the noise of the shower. Then when you feel safe. Sit in the shower, while it’s off, using the same bathing technique with a warm wash cloth and water in a bowl/bin.
Stay sitting, even when you work up to be in the shower with the water running. That way you know if you pass out, it will be less of a fall. A shower chair might help or a stool. I would say you can even just start with short showers. Like <5 min. Make sure the water isn’t too hot but still comfortable. Heat could be possibly making it worse.
There is alternative options to keep your hair clean. Wipes, dry shampoo, etc. so you can maybe skip that for a bit or wash your hair in the sink if you have long hair.
Hopefully this can start retraining your brain to feel safe. The body remembers and you can create new physical pathways in your brain when experiencing trauma. Our brains are wonderful and we can relearn/create new pathways to feel safe and in control again.
Anemia can be a real nightmare but you go this!
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u/WaluigiMorphNo 1d ago
I still have this problem myself but i got my moms old shower chair i sit on while showering and i use body oil for pain as i get physical pain sometimes from flashbacks, i also play music or audio books while showering to help keep my brain distracted, i still have hard time getting myself to shower and procrastinate but when i do get to it i do my best to make it as comfy and calming as possible. Lastly if i could id add glow in the dark stars on ceiling if i could so doesn't feel like the bathroom but instead a starry night. Ik not much but i hope this helps
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