Can't Wear Clothes

by Becca
(Utah)

Since I was young I've always had a very difficult time wearing certain clothing items. Socks and underwear were my biggest struggle as a child. I could only wear a certain brand of underwear, and even then sometimes I would stretch and stretch the waist band until I popped all the stitching or tore the elastic.




Putting on shoes was a task. It could take 20 minutes to find a pair of socks I could tolerate, then mess with them or turn them inside out and back 50 times before being able to tolerate the way they were laying on my feet. I could only wear one pair of stretchy comfortable pink pants, and basketball shorts with waste bands that were too big.

Seat belts in cars bothered me, wrinkles in bed sheets, the way the carpet felt under neath my feet, the list goes on.

In Junior High and High School it got a lot better, clothes became easier to wear. Things still bothered me but it was tolerable and I wish I knew what caused that change.

Now I'm 21 and I am to the point where most things make every cell in my body feel like it's about to explode. I want to cry all the time. Seams, tags, the way a material feels or lays on me. I can't handle waist bands, or jeans. I can wear only leggings that are the same feeling of tight all the way up. I haven't worn padded bras in years and a couple years ago I cut bras out completely. I have one brand of seamless underwear that I can tolerate and socks are still the daily struggle.

I have so many sweaters, shirts, and tanks and depending on the day maybe one will feel okay. In the winter I can't wear coats or layers, so I put on my warmest sweatshirt that i can tolerate and try to keep warm.

Jewelry bothers me, the way hair pins or elastics pull on my hair bothers me, and I can even feel nail polish if I paint my nails.

I'm to the point where I really don't know what to do anymore. I don't know what causes it and it's making me very depressed. Did I mention that I'm extremely into fashion? So not only do my clothes cause me to reach an explainable discomfort that takes over all of my thoughts and feelings. I then am so upset at myself at that point for not being able to wear the new extremely cute sweater that I spiral down a path of self loathing.

If anyone has taken the time to read this, Thank you. I'd love to know if anyone experiences anything similar and if anyone has any advice. I don't know how I can handle this any longer.



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Mar 20, 2024
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		I hate my clothes shoes and jewelry
by: Anonymous

I'm 60 years old and have the same issue. As a kid it was just a shoe issue. As an adult it was mostly just bras that bothered me. Now it is everything. Sometimes even earrings drive me crazy. I've tried explaining to my doctor and she looks at me like I'm crazy. I have to wear shoes and clothes that are way too big for me. I need relief from whatever this is before I go absolutely crazy. Please help me.
Jul 07, 2023
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starstarstarstarstar 		Can't wear clothes
by: Anonymous

I suffered a Brain injury I now have hot flashes,and full body itching wherever clothes touch my skin,fully sensory overload. I'm looking for something I can wear in public. I live in the woods, so I don't need them in private. Anyone else have this issue.
Mar 03, 2022
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starstarstarstarstar 		Maybe the beginning of an answer (for me)
by: Mathieu

I've red all your comments with great interest and can relate to some of these issues. I am 45 and realized I had an issue with clothing sensitiveness in my 20s.

The biggest problem for me was and still is finding trousers that I can wear all day without feeling physically and mentally tensed and exhausted after just a few hours. I also have problems with shirts and underwear, but somehow managed over the years to find comfortable outfits.

I've been for years quite desperate to understand and to find a solution to the cause of this problem, until quite recently when I had an osteopathy appointment. After mentioning the issue, the therapist worked on my psoas muscles and triggered some deep physical and emotional relief. The following days for about 3 weeks, my sensory issues almost disappeared, along with some other minor health issues (i.e. anxiety). I have to admit, alas, that the effects of this session have since faded out, but I believe the solution for me lies ahead in this direction. Whether the muscular tension is the cause or the consequence of my sensory issues, I don't know yet, but I learnt that if I manage to release the tension there, then the problem seems to disappear.

The psoas muscles are amongst the strongest groups of muscles in the body, situated in the pelvis and connecting the lower spine with the upper-legs. They are in deep connection with the diaphragm, the digestive system, the bladder, the vagus nerve, etc...hence having a big impact on the functioning of the whole body when over tensed. The psoas is also often referred to as the "muscle of the soul", since it is strongly affected by emotions, stress and trauma.

I would be curious to read if anyone here can relate to this! Cheers and good luck to each of you!
Jul 21, 2021
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starstarstarstarstar 		Same struggle
by: rxtx

I go through the same struggles. I cannot stand any stretched elastic on any part of my body. Socks and underwear are the biggest problem, but hair tie, nail polish, jewelry all impact as well.

Curiously, I've developed this once I reached my mid 20s, and these discomforts didnt occurs to me before then. But I suspect I would have been subconsciously happier if I realized it earlier and started to dress accordingly.

If anyone else wants to chat more about this, I could use a friend. Feel free to email me at rxtx.cmp AT gmail com
Jan 29, 2021
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starstarstarstarstar 		The Solution
by: Anonymous

I am a 28 year-old woman and have the same problem, I absolutely hate wearing clothes. Dresses, slacks, t-shirts, underwear, shoes, absolutely anything on my body bothers me. I am only comfortable when I am completely naked and would only be happy living as a full time nudist and so that's what I do.

Three years ago I was able to get a work-at-home job with a large corporation and haven't worn any clothes since. I get my groceries delivered and really don't have any reason to leave. I have a private backyard and so can spend plenty of time outside in the fresh air and feeling the sun on my skin. Yes, I date, meeting men online and I let them know that I am a nudist before they come over; no one has complained yet. I am barefoot and naked all day and blissfully happy and I recommend you figure things out where you can do the same.
Nov 19, 2020
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starstarstarstarstar 		A real struggle
by: Anonymous

Sometimes I have to wear the same thing over and over again when nothing else feels right. My favorite clothes are often worn down to rags. I can't touch several materials, like sheet fabric or polyester. I often freak out and start crying even at the thought of wearing something uncomfortable.

I recommend wearing baggy clothes and wrapping yourself up in a blanket while you wait for your body to adjust to the clothes. Sometimes petting or holding an animal helps me focus on something else.
If you are also going through this struggle, I am with you.
Sep 08, 2020
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starstarstarstarstar 		Just go naked
by: Allan bensimon

I got that problem I'm a male 60 years and I just stay naked I'll wear shorts to the store not more then an hour or it will take hours to stop itching I learned just stay naked all my friends male or female they know my problem and it don't bother them at all even stranger don't mind it If I go out I mostly wear a towel to anywhere I go and not for long. I go to friends houses naked I drive naked also got med papers from doctors and hospital stating I can't wear clothing.. SPD I stopped wearing all clothing and don't care who see me naked it not worth the itching burning not worth it I'll go naked
Oct 18, 2019
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starstarstarstarstar 		Someone else!
by: Rob

I am a 48 year old male, on the heavy side, who has this problem. My attire is oversized shirts, 1 - baggy shorts, and flip flops. As it gets older, the thought of pants puts me in a panic. I never had this issue until about 5 years ago. No idea what triggered it, but it petrified me. Wish I had answers, but I am looking for them as well.
Sep 08, 2019
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Can't wear clothes
by: Anonymous

About 30 years ago my friend's daughter was diagnosed with acute Cutaneous dyesysthesia when she was about 4 years of age then. Despite the best medical treatment for 2 years her sensitive skin never tolerated placement of any kind of fabric over it even for one hour due to severe pricking burning and tingling sensation.However she was quite normal without any clothes on. Luckily her other parameters are very normal and has high metabolism.

With undiluted support and care from her family and close associates she has been living a closed door Naked life ever since. I'm writing this to tell you Cutaneous dyesysthesia and SPD are both incurable and requires extraordinary support, love, care and understanding.... God bless...
May 06, 2019
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starstarstarstarstar 		Yes i know!! I thought it was anxiety.
by: Anonymous

It sucks.
Jan 16, 2019
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starstarstarstarstar 		Tactile defensiveness and textures
by: Anonymous

From an OT perspective, it sounds like you have tactile defensiveness. A professional OT might be able to help you desensitize or at least tolerate more. Hope you can get the help you need. I understand your frustration. Wear clothes for most isn't noticeable but with tactile aversion, clothes can feel painful. Good luck.
Dec 01, 2018
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starstarstarstarstar 		You describe my 5yo
by: Mom of 4

I found this page while searching for seamless socks & undies for my 5 year old. We’ve had daily battles for a couple years now, only getting worse, while trying to dress her. Now that she’s in school I’m determined to help her find things she’s comfortable in. Socks & undies seem to be the worst but lately pants/leggings have even bothered her to the point of tantrums.

We’ve resorted to loose fitting dresses & her play shorts for under the dresses are a silky material & loose in the waist. I’ve realized she loves those shorts & will wear them for days & even just have those on while around the house with nothing else.
Nov 30, 2018
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starstarstarstarstar 		I had the same problem
by: Taylor

I also have had this problem, especially in elementary school. I would always wear baggy shirts, baggy Capri pants, and most of the time no socks at all. socks were my biggest struggle and also pants.

I could never wear jeans because they wouldn't feel right on my legs. my mom bought me a pair of jeans for the first time and she made me wear them. I would get anxiety and then sweat, which made things way worse. the jeans were then super tight on my legs and I felt like I couldn't move at all. I would cry all the time.

I'm now a freshman in high school and I can wear almost anything. I wear tight skinny jeans, normal shirts, I can wear shoes comfortably, and I can also wear and put on socks without have to stretch, and put them inside out and back all the time.

I really hope you can grow out of it like I did.
Sep 14, 2018
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starstarstarstarstar 		same
by: Anonymous

i’m 13 and i’ve been dealing with this for as long as i can remember. when i was around 5 i remember i couldn’t wear jeans and barely leggings. i wore leggings and a t-shirt and sweatshirts bothered me as well as longn sleeve shirts.

around the age of 9 i ended up having extreme difficulty with my socks and underwear too. i’ve found some cheats to use with these. i wear boy short underwear because the seams aren’t as bad, and i turn my socks inside out (but they still drive me insane) so i usually wear crocs with no socks.

now my problem is bras so i j wear sport bras. it helps if u experiment and find little cheats to get through things. :):)
Sep 14, 2018
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starstarstarstarstar 		Me Too
by: Bill

I have always had trouble getting dressed and staying dressed--even as a child.

I am 67 now and have spent a lifetime hating the textile world. Thankfully I live in the country and can be naked much of the time. I get caught once in a while but don't let it bother me.

It seems like I can tolerate clothes as long as I get my naked time with plenty of sunshine.

I have never believed that nudity is wrong.
Aug 17, 2017
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Carrie
by: Anonymous

I have the same problems. I am only 14 and i have to wear socks that have no seam. I cannot wear jeans. I cant wear tight shirts. I pretty much only wear a baggy t-shirt and leggings. I have dealt with this my whole life. I only ever wore leggings.

I get picked in because of it. I was trying to figure out what this is called. So i can tell people what i "have." I know that im am not the only one now. Haha💕

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