Why does my 17 year old not shower?

Author: Prof. Imogene Stehr  |  Last update: Friday, January 16, 2026

One reason teens may not be showering could be that they feel they don't have enough time to shower and get dressed before they have to be in their next class. People with long or thick hair especially may need more time to get dry and dressed.

Why won't my 17 year old shower?

It could be depression, or it could be a hormone imbalance that just needs a medication adjustment, or something else entirely. Body image issues can easily lead to a lack of hygiene, and teenagers are often under a ton of stress to look a certain way.

What is not wanting to shower a symptom of?

One of the most significant factors influencing the avoidance of showers is mental health. Conditions like depression can severely impact motivation and energy levels. Individuals experiencing depression often find even the simplest tasks daunting, leading to neglect of personal hygiene.

How often should a 17 year old shower?

Some teens will shower 3--4 times per day 20--40 minutes at a time. Breakeven for a bath is 20 or so minutes. Should not restrain showers to less than once per day. Keeping shower length to 15 minutes or less makes sense too. If they don't like showering, should make them shower at least 2--3 times per week.

Why do I have an aversion to showering?

Shower Avoidance Syndrome, or SAS, is a psychological condition characterized by a persistent reluctance to shower. Rooted in factors like anxiety disorders, depression, and trauma, SAS can lead to neglect of personal hygiene. Treatment options include therapy, medication, and routine building.

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Can showering be a sensory issue?

Sensory Overload in the Shower

The combination of water, sound, and tactile sensations can lead to sensory overload. The sensation of water hitting the body, the sound of rushing water, and the feeling of wet skin can be intense and uncomfortable.

Why am I so unmotivated to shower?

It is common for those suffering from depression to loose interest in daily activities such as showering. The important thing here is to not succumb to the urge not to take a shower. Sometimes we must force ourselves to do things that we don't want to do in order to avoid a further downward spiral.

How long can you go without showering?

Generally, she says "you should be showering, bathing or cleansing yourself every two to three days." Though, if you're working out or engaging in an activity where you are sweating a lot, you may have to shower more often. The biggest problem that may stem from not showering enough? The stink.

How often should a 17 year old wash their hair?

Each strand of hair has its own sebaceous (oil) gland, which keeps the hair shiny and waterproof. But during puberty, when the sebaceous glands produce extra oil, it can make your hair look too shiny, oily, and greasy. Washing your hair every day or every other day can help control oily hair.

How often should you shower as a female?

Many doctors say a daily shower is fine for most people. (More than that could start to cause skin problems.) But for many people, two to three times a week is enough and may be even better to maintain good health. It depends in part on your lifestyle.

Does ADHD make it hard to shower?

Ever feel like you start a task with gusto, only to get sidetracked by a squirrel outside your window moments later? If you have ADHD, this may sound all too familiar. ADHD can make sticking to routines, including personal hygiene tasks like showering, brushing your teeth and doing laundry, a constant battle.

What mental illness lacks hygiene?

A person with Diogenes syndrome tends to neglect their own physical needs, including health and hygiene.

What is a depression shower?

To test the hypothesis, an approach to treating depression is proposed that consists of adapted cold showers (20 °C, 2–3 min, preceded by a 5-min gradual adaptation to make the procedure less shocking) performed once or twice daily. The proposed duration of treatment is several weeks to several months.

What causes poor hygiene in children?

Depression: A sudden change in hygiene habits can sometimes be a sign of depression or emotional distress. Trauma: Experiences of trauma or abuse can significantly impact a child's mental health and well-being, which can sometimes manifest in poor hygiene.

Is it normal to not want to shower?

You might feel like you're different from others if you don't want to shower. Or maybe someone has even made you feel embarrassed about it. But you're not alone. For many people, showering can feel like an unwelcome nuisance — or even an impossible task — instead of a relaxing self-care experience.

Why is my daughter a slob?

There are many reasons that children are sloppy and/or disorganized. It could very well be that your daughter has ADHD and is somewhat incapable of staying organized. Alternatively, it could be that she is trying to act out and she knows you're frustrated. It's also possible, she's just a slob.

How often should I shower at 17?

There's no one-size-fits-all equation for how many showers to take per day or week. The frequency that's right for you depends on your skin type and lifestyle choices, says Dr. Mary Stevenson, a dermatologist at NYU Langone Health. “Ideally, I think people should shower at least every other day,” she says.

What happens if you don't wash your hair for 3 months?

But before you give it a try, some warnings: Although it didn't happen to me, forgoing cleansing can cause some side effects like dandruff, an overly-sensitive scalp, and even hair loss (things that are reversible and often related to the hair's need to regain balance after giving up shampoo).

Is it normal for a 17 year old to shed hair?

Teenagers undergo a metamorphosis during puberty, both in body and mind. It's normal to shed a couple of strands daily, but increased hair fall in teenagers may indicate underlying medical issues. During adolescence, our hormones are in a tizzy.

Can people tell if you haven't showered?

You'll smell bad

This is certainly a key point for anyone with friends: if you stop washing, it's pretty likely that you'll start to smell bad. Even if you don't sweat excessively, strong body odor will doubtlessly develop and your refusal to shower will prevent you from eliminating it.

Why do I smell after not showering?

Body odor happens when bacteria on your skin come in contact with sweat. Our skin is naturally covered with bacteria. When we sweat, the water, salt and fat mix with this bacteria and can cause odor.

Are there benefits to not showering?

Not showering frequently may help preserve the skin's natural oils and microbiome, potentially reducing the risk of skin irritation.

Why am I so lazy?

Psychology. Laziness may reflect a lack of self-esteem, a lack of positive recognition by others, a lack of discipline stemming from low self-confidence, or a lack of interest in the activity or belief in its efficacy. Laziness may manifest as procrastination or vacillation.

What is the fear of showering called?

Ablutophobia, an extreme and irrational fear of bathing, washing and cleaning oneself, can be an extremely debilitating phobia that has a significant negative impact on many aspects of an individual's life, including their mental and physical health.

How do I get the urge to shower?

Building Discipline
  1. Give yourself a pep talk. Instead of waiting until you feel like taking a shower, talk yourself into resolving that you will do it no matter what, and stick to it. ...
  2. Think of it as a challenge or game to make it more enticing. ...
  3. Get in the habit of making showering a consistent practice.

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