They Always Ask Me If Other's Complain About The Way I Smell: Mental health and body odor, cleaning and keeping a house.

I couldn't figure out at first, why on the mental health evaluation they always ask if others complain about the way I smell. I always answer never because I bathe. However, I learned some people when they are depressed, quit caring about bodily hygiene. Take pride in yourself and never quit caring. Wash your clothes when they are dirty. Filthy clothes smell awful. If you smoke, don't do it in the house. Your clothes will stink and there is nothing worse than the smell of stale tobacco.

Sweat is the primary cause of body odor. In itself, it is odorless. But, when it comes in contact with bacteria, an unpleasant odor is emitted. If you're too depressed and exhausted to take a shower, don't go anywhere. Just stay in your pajamas and wait it out. The only exception to this rule is, go to see your therapist and psychiatrist no matter what.

Rubbing alcohol applied to the armpits will help to stop the odor. Of course, so will deodorant. Use it. Hardly anything feels worse than being all grody. My father used to say, even when I was very sick with the flu or something, "Get up and get the stink off you." It wasn't that I wouldn't. He just wanted to remind me it actually would make me feel better.

If that's all you can do for the day, congratulate yourself. Being weak and depressed doesn't mean you can't try. I admire triers. I have no patience for those who won't. If you're a woman and wear make-up, put it on even if nobody is going to see you. That will make you feel better too. Don't try to cover up a dirty smell with cologne or after shave. You'll only smell worse. Clean people have a nice smell of their own. Sometimes people think I smell especially nice even if I'm not wearing any cologne or perfume. Soap has a nice smell.

Even during Word War II and during the great depression, women bought lipstick. Even a barn looks better with a little paint. If you are an all natural woman all the time, then good for you. But, some of us enjoy it. Feeling attractive improves everybody's self image. Go to Dollar Cuts or Great Clips and get your hair done. You don't have the money for expensive salons. Beauty schools are a good place to go as well. Ask for somebody that is about to graduate.

Some medications used for treating mental illness make the matter worse. I don't know what they are. The intake of caffeine or alcohol doesn't help either. Any one of these things can compound a problem you already have.

I really don't understand why some people let themselves go. If you've ever been in the hospital you know, that's one thing they require. It helps to have a daily routine. Sometimes I wait until I'm done cleaning the house. I think everybody feels dirty after cleaning the bathroom.

If you don't know how to clean and keep your house organized, read How to Clean Your House and Everything in it. There are lots of books about organizing. You can get great boxes at the liquor store. If you can't afford much of anything, cover them with brown paper, or even news paper. Paint them. Throw things away or donate anything you haven't used in a year. Some people who are mentally ill are hoarders. If you are, get help. Ask a friend to help you if you can't do it yourself. Don't buy things you don't really need. Be patient. You can't get everything you want right away. These things take time. Know your priorities. Besides, imagining and atticipation are half the fun.

Keep your house clean too. If you can't afford a lot of cleaning supplies, buy ammonia. It works on almost everything and is best for cleaning windows. A dirty environment is depressing. Do what you can to make your home attractive. Most people with bipolar disorder are quite creative. I sewed some very attractive curtains out of designer sheets. They are nicer than anything I could have bought. Paint your apartment. Some places don't allow that, but it's better to beg for forgiveness than ask permission. Besides, you can always paint it white again (even if it looks worse and they want it that way) before you move. Then you won't have to pay them to do it. I painted my living room to look like Venetian plaster. If you don't know how to decorate, buy a magazine or check them out of the library. Do these things when you're manic. You might as well take advantage of your own illness.

Save up for flea market finds. They may not be antiques or be in good condition, but you can always paint them with acrylics that cost about ninety nine cents a bottle. You can buy them at a crafts store. Look for furniture other people leave out on the street, or accept furniture other people don't want what they have anymore. Lots of people always want new things. Go to yard sales. It will give you something to do when you can't afford much of anything. Make do or do without. Most people with bipolar disorder go on shopping sprees. If you do that, just go places you can afford. Save up money so that you can afford to indulge your urge to shop. Do these things even if you are a man. That way you won't have to depend on a woman.

One time, when the police came to my house to check on me because my husband was trying to get me committed (I wasn't crazy yet, but soon afterward I was), they said, "Most mentally ill people don't . . ." I knew he meant decorate the house or keep it clean. Those things cheer me up and I do it even if I'm having a hard time. Make your life enjoyable. When you can't get out of bed, it feels better to be some place clean and attractive. Don't depress yourself.