I Can't Wear Underwear Anymore


(California)

This is actually very embarrassing. But I am desperate because I can't be comfortable anymore.




Since I was little, I have always been sensitive to clothing. When I was really little, I couldn't wear socks. The seam by the toes bugged me. When I was seven years old, I started being very uncomfortable in shirts. For two years, I wore only one shirt.

Later on, I couldn't find pants. In fact just recently have I been able to wear jeans! And now, I am 13.

About a week ago, my underwear started to bother me. Let me take you back... Around the age of 8 or so, underwear became very uncomfortable for me. For a month or so, I wore only leotards (a type of suit for gymnastics), eventually, I realized that that wouldn't be able to continue (mainly because it was unhealthy).

I started wearing these Jockey brand strange under shorts/ boy shorts type of thing in place of underwear. I have been wearing these for about two to three years. I have been wearing the same pair for about a year. I wash them!!! Don't worry. But they are now stretched out and I am no longer comfortable in them. I'm not going to get into the reasons why.

I have tried a new pair of the same undershorts, I have tried bikini's, briefs, boy shorts... Pretty much everything you could think of. But nothing is comfortable yet! I have had trouble getting dressed in the mornings and don't want to live at times, but I can't just lay around and be depressed because I can't even get comfortable enough to lay in bed and sleep. I'm having meltdowns almost everyday now and I don't want to go to school anymore. I want to be at peace.

I don't have autism, but I probably have ADD or ADHD and I am being diagnosed right now. I also probably have SPD (sensory processing disorder). I am so desperate to just be comfortable. I love my parents and they are doing everything they can to help me, but I need something a little more. Plus my Mom just found out that her Father has cancer, and I'm sort of tired of putting all this pressure on them. That's why I haven't had a meltdown yet this afternoon, because I feel bad about being selfish about me. I mean my grandpa might die!

I know I am not alone and I am seeking help from you all. Please if you have any experience like mine that you or a loved one overcame, please please please respond. I am so desperate for help. I'm ready to get better. (And we are seeking help from professionals).



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Jun 16, 2023
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Underwear is terrible and not needed!
by: Anonymous

I am the same with suspected SPD and ADHD. I just don’t wear underwear. There is no reason to if you can’t tolerate them or just don’t like them! Nobody will know! If you want to wear a dress, I just wear the same baggy shorts (wonder nation with fold over waist from Walmart) I always do under the dress
Feb 24, 2020
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starstarstarstarstar 		what I do because underwear seems are uncomfortable
by: Anonymous

I really struggle with seams especially in underwear. When I am at home I just don't wear underwear, usually I just wear a bath robe. Have you heard of therapeutic brushes and the Wilbarger protocol? They only talk about brushing arms, legs, and back, but I brush my own butt every day. It was enough to take me from not being able to tolerate underwear ever to being able to do it for 4-6 hours a day.

I also just sleep naked to give my body time without clothes and seems. Additionally I find weeks that I go swimming once or twice are the weeks that I can handle underwear for closer to 6 hours a day. so, in summery I recommend:

1. you brush legs and butt every day with a therapeutic brush

2. you find some form of exercise that gives proprioceptive input and make it part of your weekly schedule.

Hope that helps.
Dec 12, 2019
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		SPD
by: Anonymous

I can completely relate! I’m now 20 years old and have had SPD since I was 5. I cannot wear anything on my waist, not jeans, skirts, underwear, leggings. I can’t even wear jumpsuits with a seam across my waist. Usually I wear a playsuit (with no seam) underneath dresses or I wear jumpsuits that I’ve found on the internet with no seams and I do not wear underwear underneath. I’m sorry you have the same sort of thing, wouldn’t wish it on anybody. Well done dealing with day to day ❤️
Apr 25, 2019
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starstarstarstarstar 		Trampoline
by: Anonymous

My child has the same underwear issue. She’s 11. We used Hanna Anderson's since she was out of diapers for this reason. I’ve found that jumping on a trampoline or other physical activity daily does help reduce the sensitivity, but it flares up cyclically over time during stressful times and as she grows between sizes. We’ve spent so much $ trying every type of underwear and clothing that exists, but trying new pairs and reading up on everything on SPD has helped. This is such a relief to read of others struggles. We are not alone.
Apr 08, 2019
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		It’s not necessary!
by: Amber

Hello,

I struggled with the same issues during my childhood - putting on socks and shoes before leaving for kindergarten were tantrum starters, brushing my hair left me in tears, wearing any clothing was uncomfortable so I slept naked (even with my sister’s constant disapproval), and underwear and tags were the worst.

Fortunately, my parents let me be me and I navigated to flip flops and Toms and Converse (without socks), leggings and comfy shorts, long skirts and pants with no underwear ...ever, and found a brush called Wet Brush that works wonders on my sensitive scalp. Wearing no underwear is actually very healthy for females as it lets our body breath and reduces vaginal infections.

I now have a young daughter who never wears underwear under her leggings and wears tagless leggings under her skirts. We have many of the same SPD issues and limiting her irritants is best for both of us.

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