My Dad is an alcolholic and I think he also has an addiction to gambling (VLT's), but in the last 5 years or so he has also been doing a lot of shopping. He goes to the grocery store and buys stuff he does not need. His deep freeze is packed full (he is single and lives by himself), his cupboards are also packed. He goes to the dollar stores and buys stuff he does not need, then gives them to me and my sisters (most of the stuff I have no use for). He gives us bags of food and toiletries too when we visit, which is very nice because those things we can use and I always thank him, but I am very concerned for him. I have given him heck a few times (in a loving / joking way). He also buys things like toaster ovens, coffee pots etc when they are on sale and keeps them, then sometimes he gives us stuff like that too.
I have OCD and think others in the family may have it too, but could this be a hoarding thing or another addiction? He is not spending money he doesn't have.
2007-01-29 05:17:04 · 12 answers · asked by wendygirl1000 2 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Yes, he seems to be suffering from a form of OCD. I think it would be important that you and your sister sit down and speak with him, make sure that you tell him that you are concerned and that is why you are confronting him about this.
2007-01-29 05:22:52 · answer #1 · answered by robyn 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He has an addiction to gambling and he's also an alcoholic.Now he's addicted to shopping.What he is doing is that he's switching addictions.You also mentioned that you suffer from OCD,I really think that he has an addictive personality.I hope that you are on meds for your OCD.Talk to your therapist about scheduling an appt. for your father.Before you do that,you and your sisters must get together with your father and talk to him about what is going on with him.Tell him how worried you and your sisters are and that you want to help him.There are good medications for his problem and some therapy would help him too.Get him help before he loses control on the hoarding,there will be no place to sit once the hoarding takes over.Plus it's also a fire hazard.Take care&Good luck.
2007-01-29 05:47:31 · answer #2 · answered by Ms Lety 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He's an addict through and through. He is a shopaholic in addition to his alcoholism. That means the alcohol is not taking away his pain anymore and he is desperately trying to BUY his way to happiness. Even if he can afford it, there will come a time when the money WILL be all gone. Believe me.
He needs professional help. But if he won't do that, then there is nothing you can do for him. Unless he can no longer function day to day or he is deathly ill from the alcohol. Then you could get him temporarily admitted without his consent. But he's be right back at it after they have to let him go. Only he can get himself help.
2007-01-29 05:23:28 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
That is very perceptive of you and you are very kind to accept his gifts. If his behavior escalates and he is spending money HE DOES NOT HAVE then a family intervention may be in order.
Also continue to monitor his environment to make sure there are no physical hazards, no flammables, he has healthy food and his home is clean. Your a good daughter! He sounds like a very generous man. Perhaps he could volunteer at a homeless shelter?
2007-01-29 05:25:18 · answer #4 · answered by Willa B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Shopping/hoarding can definately be an OCD, it certainly sounds like your Dad's behaviour is beyond the realms of the "norm".
Talk to him about it and suggest that you go with him to the doc. Lots of good meds are available to help with compulsive behaviours.
2007-01-29 05:27:14 · answer #5 · answered by LondonGRL 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
he could be bipolar. bipolar people suffer different extremes of intense emotion. one side of the spectrum is depression, the other is mania. bipolar people are often alcoholics as a form of self-medication prior diagnosis. during manic phases, the person may seek cheap thrills that defy logic such as gambling and spending a lot of money. at these times they often feel a sense of euphoria, have much more energy, and sometimes feel virtually invincible. you might ask him to go see a psychiatrist to seek a formal diagnosis. it can easily be corrected with meds
2007-01-29 05:30:05 · answer #6 · answered by jason x 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
m=no it might just be mid-life crisis buying everything that catches the eye or he could do just so he doesnt hsve to go to the store every day or week or he could be stocking up for a special occasion like in case of a blizzard or storm and he i unable to go anywhere. which is comon for the older and wiser crowd. so dont worry its fine but dont let him buy thousands of dollars of stuff that might just be his way of trying to get rid of his addiction problems. this is called self-intervention which is common hes just trying to keep busy so he wont drink or gamble
sincerly
keisha
2007-01-29 05:32:24 · answer #7 · answered by keishao1234 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you seed your dad has an addiction to gambling to! ma by his trying not to spend to much mo nay on his addiction but more on something useful and 4 you.at list you know hi is trying.
2007-01-29 05:34:24 · answer #8 · answered by nutica 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Compulsive shopping is a symptom of OCD.
2007-01-29 05:22:04 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
IT SEEMS YOUR DAD DOES HAVE A MAJOR PROBLEM. THE FIRST STEP I WOULD TAKE IF IT WERE MY DAD WOULD BE TO FIND PROFESSIONAL HELP TO DIAGNOSE THE SPECIFIC CONDITION HE HAS BUT FROM WHAT YOU SAY. IT SEEMS IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE IF HE DOSNT GET HELP. ALL MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU NOW. GOD BLESS
2007-01-29 05:27:53 · answer #10 · answered by TS 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋