Is it normal for me to take off my clothes every time I poop?

Ask A Therapist OnlineIs it normal for me to take off my clothes every time I poop?
lai asked 5 years ago

Is it normal for me to take off my clothes every time I poop? Is there something behind that strange behavior? When I poop, I tend to be always constipated, so I take off my clothes and it’s easier to let it out.

1 Answers
Insight Psychological Staff answered 5 years ago

Hi there, thank you for asking this question and giving a bit of context.

This might not answer your question directly but humans can be complicated and we tend not to think in terms of what is “normal” or “not normal.” There may be many reasons why we do certain things and it can take some time exploring in order to uncover an answer that fits for each individual’s unique situation. For some people removing all of your clothing before pooping may seem strange but for many others, it is completely natural and normal.

First of all, you are not alone. There are other people who prefer to have a bowel movement in the nude. There may be several reasons for this – perhaps some or more of these apply to you?

  • Keeping your clothes clean – Are you worried about your clothing becoming soiled or smelling bad?
  • Flexibility – you mentioned it’s “easier to let it out”. By that do you mean you are less restricted to move and bend making it easier to push?
  • It feels more natural. Bowel movements are a natural body function and perhaps being naked feels more primal somehow and therefore more satisfying?
  • It’s how you learned. Maybe when you were first learning to use the toilet as a child, your parents preferred that you removed your clothing for ease of clean-up (toilet learning for toddlers can be really messy) so that’s what became the norm for you?

We’d also like you to ponder these questions:

  • “What do you think are the benefits for you when you do this?”
  • “Is this a behaviour that you would like to change? And if so, why?”
  • “Does this behaviour cause you any distress in any way?”
  • “Does this behaviour get in the way or negatively impact other areas of your life?”

If pooping naked is negatively affecting your life, you may want to talk with a therapist where together you can explore more about what you are feeling and what you are thinking before and after the behaviour, when it first began, and the circumstances around that time. Taking some time to explore may uncover an answer that fits your individual unique situation.

Finally, you mentioned being always constipated. This is something you might want to check with your doctor about to see if there are any medical or dietary concerns and solutions to make bowel movements easier.