He is 65 years old. Lately, the past few years he has gotten to where you cant throw anything away. He gets it back out of the trash. Empty tubes of toothpaste, empty underarm deoderant. Not only that he goes out and digs through the neighbors trash. If he sees a pile of junk sitting out where someone has cleaned out their garage/attic or whatever he has a field day. He drags the most worhtless junk home and clutters up my moms house with it, driving her crazy. He has brought home everything from old clothes to worn out furniture and old dirty matresses. We are even worried he is going through the trash getting food as he always comes home from work with "leftover" cookies and donuts he says that they gave him at work.
I have known several old men(70+) who were like this. Is this a common thing for old men to do this? Will i do this one day myself?
2007-02-03 14:10:23 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
Im not certain if this could be from some mental disorder or maybe something worse like Alzheimer's. I would like to think it is just how he was raised, and maybe a little bit of fear for the future. As he is getting ready to retire in around 6 months and keeps talking of how he doesnt know how he will make it once he retires (which is bull, he will be fine. hes worrying over little or nothing). His mother died of Alzheimer's, she was the same way about not wanting to throw things away, but then again she was that way all her life from what ive heard. Many years before she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. So im kinda just hoping this is more of a trait he picked up from his parents. Regardless, its driving my mom crazy and we are gonna need to have a talk about this i guess.
2007-02-04 03:16:57 · update #1
They say that hoarding is a genetic trait. And he either is hoarding or showing some compulsions to save things. It can be really bad.
You don't have to treat it but I believe it can be with certain medications. If it is associated with other things like forgetfulness or falling or something that may endanger his life...take him to his physician and get him checked out.
My grandfather did the same thing. I have a friend that has a sister who is in her 40's that does the same thing. It is a type of mental illness. It just isn't treated unless it is endangering someone.
You may want to rule out early dementia
2007-02-03 14:15:16 · answer #1 · answered by kishoti 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is actually pretty common for men to start doing this, it is all based on a psychological thing that tells them that people are being wasteful and that everything can be reused. It may be an early signs of al. or a similar condition. Nevertheless, you may want to ask him what use the items that he is bringing home have. He may get angry or frustrated and you may have to bring the conversation up several times, but if he starts realizing that the stuff he is bringing home is not serving a purpose, than he may stop. If he still refuses to give it up with the argument that he may need it someday, tell him that there are some people that may need it now, and donate what you can to charity and recycle the rest, that way it was never "trash," and that makes your dad feel as if he was right from the beginning, that the items still had a use.
2007-02-03 14:18:53 · answer #2 · answered by Sarah E 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sorry to tell you, this is NORMAL! Lots of elderly people do this. A lot of the people that are getting older right now will do it more b.c they great up in the depression. They think they may need it some day! All you can do is keep asking for the "great" things that he brings home for you to trash when you get home. That way he thinks they are being used. If he asks about something not being there just tell him a Friend needed it more then you! They love the things they keep to be used!
2007-02-03 16:03:49 · answer #3 · answered by TayLynn 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It sounds to me your father is suffering from Alzheimer's or another form of dementia. I took care of two grandparents with this disease until their death 4 and 7 years later. This is one of the first signs of this affliction, even though he may be able to seem mentally with, it his behavior is saying otherwise. You need to get him to see a doctor ASAP as this disease only worsens, and they have medicine that can slow the diseases progress. Often the earlier stages are the hardest, as the patient knows something is wrong but is in denial, or too afraid to find out, or unable to make the necessary decisions to see a doctor that can become very stubborn and argumentative, as they feel finding out to be scary and painful and afraid to loose their independence such as driving, and independence. I'll bet he will probably put up a fight but you must insist it to be done. If he refuses you can file a court order to become his legal guardian. Take care and God bless you, as I KNOW you'll need it.
2007-02-03 14:25:55 · answer #4 · answered by Destiny 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I saw this on Oprah I think about a year ago, they had both sexes on there and I forget what the disorder was called but the lady couldn't throw anything away, her house was trashed. They had a psychologist in her home helping her with this.
2007-02-03 14:24:01 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh god this is bringing back flashbacks of my own grandfather. He used to find all sorts of things on the side of the road and try to give them to people. He also had a habit of taking the colored foil from candy and putting on the trees outside he house as decorations.
No he was not crazy, just really odd when it came to ..well trash.
2007-02-03 14:52:55 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
one mans trash is another mans treasure ! leave him a lone it gives him something to do . i had a grand mother that saved brown paper sacks and string to wrap and send package's in the mail people now day's would spend money to buy those thing's then save them . he knows the meaning of having to work for that dollar to pay for that . he's alright . and yes you will do the same thing when you get older
2007-02-03 14:30:38 · answer #7 · answered by dirtdevil215 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
okay, that's OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder). My ex was like that.
i waited until garbage day, when he'd leave for work and then I'd throw all of that stuff away and roll it out for he garbage men to pick up. :)
He definitely needs to see a counselor or doctor. There are drugs that he can take to relieve his hoarding tendencies.
2007-02-03 14:16:53 · answer #8 · answered by BarbieGurl 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
this is not normal behavior, your dad may have a mental sickness, you really should talk to him about this, or talk to your mom and she what she says, but that really in not normal.
2007-02-03 14:17:55 · answer #9 · answered by Sir Hard & Thick 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Your Dad has some issues. See if you can get him to see a counsellor.
2007-02-03 14:13:21 · answer #10 · answered by Terri J 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋