Your neighbor invites you over for dinner and you go in and see this...what would you do?
This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »
4meAndyou · F
I have seen something quite similar. I have a friend who lives in a mobile home, and although he is not THAT dirty and does not collect real trash or garbage, he is a hoarder, and there is only room to walk in narrow aisles throughout his place.
There is only one place to sit, and although there is furniture it is covered in junk. He is a bit mentally deranged in that he has refused all offers of help to clean, stating that he would never find anything again. When I first met him there was a strong odor of mold in his place. His roof leaked back then.
I do recall that he used to hoard food (unopened), but one day a can exploded inside a paper bag, and in trying to locate the smell, he lifted the bag from his carpet and found real mushrooms growing underneath in a bed of mold.
He has not one inch of open counter space, and must prep his food directly over the pot on the stove. I have eaten at his home, and I usually just cross my fingers and pray for the best result.
I have worked with Homeless people, and with drug addicts, and my friend suffers from PTSD so he is not very different in many ways. I do not like to insult him by shuddering when he hands me a plate of food. I keep the shudders inside.
There is only one place to sit, and although there is furniture it is covered in junk. He is a bit mentally deranged in that he has refused all offers of help to clean, stating that he would never find anything again. When I first met him there was a strong odor of mold in his place. His roof leaked back then.
I do recall that he used to hoard food (unopened), but one day a can exploded inside a paper bag, and in trying to locate the smell, he lifted the bag from his carpet and found real mushrooms growing underneath in a bed of mold.
He has not one inch of open counter space, and must prep his food directly over the pot on the stove. I have eaten at his home, and I usually just cross my fingers and pray for the best result.
I have worked with Homeless people, and with drug addicts, and my friend suffers from PTSD so he is not very different in many ways. I do not like to insult him by shuddering when he hands me a plate of food. I keep the shudders inside.
Peppa · 31-35, F
@4meAndyou ptsd- untreated. If being managed but a trigger is awoken, this is what you get.
I can fully relate. Although I don't let it get so bad. I have been known to get to the very last cup plate fork etc and suddenly I think WTF!
I did a spring clean today and it's like a weight has been lifted. This person in particular doesn't have anyone telling him either gently or bluntly that his place is a mess. I actively don't invite people in, and I refuse to cook in mess even for myself. (I sought out therapy for myself as I recognized I wasn't right, the waiting list was so long I ended up having a nervous breakdown)
This friend is in deep. He/she requires a intervention. And a really good therapist.
I can fully relate. Although I don't let it get so bad. I have been known to get to the very last cup plate fork etc and suddenly I think WTF!
I did a spring clean today and it's like a weight has been lifted. This person in particular doesn't have anyone telling him either gently or bluntly that his place is a mess. I actively don't invite people in, and I refuse to cook in mess even for myself. (I sought out therapy for myself as I recognized I wasn't right, the waiting list was so long I ended up having a nervous breakdown)
This friend is in deep. He/she requires a intervention. And a really good therapist.
4meAndyou · F
@Peppa You've hit the nail on the head. He has been in treatment for years at the Veterans Administration hospital locally, but refuses to take any medications and is so resistant to receiving help that he really believes the therapists who try to help him know nothing.
I once wrote to his doctor, and they showed up at his door to try to see the inside of his home, but he would not allow them in. Legally they had to go away.
It is too late for him now to be treated or cured. He has developed a slow growing form of blood cancer from exposure to agent orange, and it is possible it could morph into leukemia. He is so physically ill most days I think at this point it is best to just pray for him.
I once wrote to his doctor, and they showed up at his door to try to see the inside of his home, but he would not allow them in. Legally they had to go away.
It is too late for him now to be treated or cured. He has developed a slow growing form of blood cancer from exposure to agent orange, and it is possible it could morph into leukemia. He is so physically ill most days I think at this point it is best to just pray for him.
Peppa · 31-35, F
@4meAndyou I don't take medication because I was so zombie like on them I recognize my symptoms and mostly push through. But time alone and Xmas don't mix well for me.
I'm sorry to hear about his health. I guess what he's displaying is clutching onto a time when things were good. If you ever sifted through the stuff there would be an early date. I'm sure from when he started to feel health wise unwell. :-(
Best wishes to you both. X
I'm sorry to hear about his health. I guess what he's displaying is clutching onto a time when things were good. If you ever sifted through the stuff there would be an early date. I'm sure from when he started to feel health wise unwell. :-(
Best wishes to you both. X