My sister, who is highly intelligent and educated, does not pick up her trash, her clothes or mail. There are times when you literally cannot walk through her living room for the many "things" on the floor. She also purchases certain items over and over again. She many have 12 bottles of salad dressing, 6 big bags of cat food or 30 bras. Many of the items she purchases, she doesn't realize that she has 20 more sitting in her closet. She willing takes our help and doesn't seem embarassed about the sad state of her house. She is functioning in her job and her health is stable. To someone on the outside, she appears fine. But if someone were to enter her house, they would have an entirely different opinion. She has been this way for about the last 10 years and is now 61. If there is a way for her to be helped, she needs it now. The last thing I want is for her to turn into a "crazy cat lady". At least her two cats are both males so we aren't dealing with a house full of cats.
2007-01-13 06:34:27 · 8 answers · asked by Shene from Illinois 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
She needs professional help.
2007-01-13 07:07:43 · answer #1 · answered by Speck Schnuck 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have had much too much to do with people who are alcoholic and have come to recognise that the household disorder can be related to that. If she is not using alcohol in this way it sounds like a serious depression to me and she should have professional treatment. People who are close to someone with a problem such as this want to help so much and third party counseling is about the only thing that will work.
I remember many years ago "helping" a close friend. She was a single-mother with two young children and I would go next door, run and fold the laundry, wash the dirty dishes in the sink, etc. thinking if she could just get ahead with those chores she could keep up with them. It didn't work at all. Depression and misuse of alcohol were the problems and my "helping" didn't do anything.
2007-01-13 07:14:41 · answer #2 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like she may benefit from professional help. Sometimes people who purchase multiples of things, and are reluctant to throw things out (hoarding), may be suffering from a form of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.
Perhaps you could talk to a counselor about it, and then if you find a good counselor, suggest she visit that counselor with you?
Not being able to get around the house freely is dangerous - it can make it hard to get out of the house in an emergency, and it puts her at more risk of falling and injuring herself, which would mean losing her independence. Hopefully you can convince her that taking care of her home is important to maintaining her ability to live independently as she ages.
2007-01-13 08:34:19 · answer #3 · answered by Bess2002 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like she might be depressed and asking for help. Even though someone seems fine on the outside, it doesn't mean they are okay on the inside. I would offer her help to get her house into shape and then stay with her for awhile. You might also suggest that she go see a Dr. Offer her your ear and be sympathetic to her. If she is depressed she needs you! I think in her own way she may be reaching out to you. This is no way for someone to live. Good Luck! Update us on her situation and Take Care!
2007-01-13 06:49:46 · answer #4 · answered by Aero Cat 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know this woman! I think it is called hoarders disease? Anyway, the woman I know, who sounds like your sister to a T is actually a RN. She is about 60 as well, extrememly smart and successful and a complete slob. She has gotten so bad that there are actually live chickens in her house now. Of course they are in pens, the 100 cats would attack them. There was a special on Oprah about this disease.
2007-01-13 09:20:08 · answer #5 · answered by Amanda N 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I THINK WE ARE RELATED. I HAVE A BROTHER WHO IS 64 YRS OLD AND IS EXACTLY THE SAME WAY. YOU CANNOT HELP SOMEONE BE OTHER THAN WHAT THEY ARE. I THINK THOSE KIND OF FOLKS FEEL MORE "COMFORTABLE, SAFE AND SECURE" WITH ALL THEIR "STUFF" AROUND THEM--SORT OF LIKE COMFORT FOOD, IT IS THEIR COMFORT STUFF. WHO KNOWS WHY, I'VE BEEN TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT FOR YEARS. OUR MOTHER IS THE SAME WAY, MY OLDER SISTER IS SOMEWHAT-BUT YOU'D NEVER GUESS CUZ SHE "HAS HERS PUT AWAY" AND I WOULD RATHER HAVE LESS THAN MORE BECAUSE OF WATCHING ALL THESE RELATIVES OF MINE WHO HAVE TOO MUCH THAT THEY DON'T EVEN NEED OR USE. AS LONG AS YOU DO NOT LIVE WITH HER-CONSIDER YOURSELF LUCKY AND DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT.
2007-01-13 06:44:56 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
She's 61. Let her live her life the way she wants!! It's what makes her happy, right?
2007-01-13 06:52:01 · answer #7 · answered by BRIDGE 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Try talking to her about it. Help clean up. Go shopping with her, so you're there to tell her if she already has something.
2007-01-13 07:46:03 · answer #8 · answered by Asker of Questions 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋