How do I get my father help when he doesnt even recognize he has a problem?!
Question: Over the last couple of years I have noticed a change in my fathers behavior. It was small things at first that caught all of our attention, like his list writing and his little quirky behaviors. But as the years passed it seems as though the behaviors have become more extreme. To all of us (me and my mother) he is displaying characteristics of OCD and a manic depressive disorder.
He lives on his own and recently has decided to remodel his kitchen. He has torn everything down and still hasnt gotten to work on fixing everything. It is going on at least 2 years and he is still living w/ out a sink and a refigerator. It seems as though he has no motivation to work on it, but rather plan out the lists of things he needs to do.
I would like to mention that he has expressed to me that he is now having trouble sleeping and I have noticed that he has lost some weight.
My problem is that he thinks he knows everything on some superior level then everyone else and "doesnt need medical help"
Answers: Over the last couple of years I have noticed a change in my fathers behavior. It was small things at first that caught all of our attention, like his list writing and his little quirky behaviors. But as the years passed it seems as though the behaviors have become more extreme. To all of us (me and my mother) he is displaying characteristics of OCD and a manic depressive disorder.
He lives on his own and recently has decided to remodel his kitchen. He has torn everything down and still hasnt gotten to work on fixing everything. It is going on at least 2 years and he is still living w/ out a sink and a refigerator. It seems as though he has no motivation to work on it, but rather plan out the lists of things he needs to do.
I would like to mention that he has expressed to me that he is now having trouble sleeping and I have noticed that he has lost some weight.
My problem is that he thinks he knows everything on some superior level then everyone else and "doesnt need medical help"
I can relate to your situation..I am now living with my mom and have noticed some changes with her. I try talking to her and usually it ends up with an arguement and her saying she is fine..nothing is wrong. I just think that we have to be there for them...try not to get to frustrated...keep trying to communicate our concerns...but I mostly wanted to tell you that you are not alone in feeling a bit helpless and stressed out. I understand. Here's a great example..just happened...it is 11pm here. My mom comes up to me says to help her hang a mirror in my teenage daughter's room. I nicely say to her that I can help in the am ..it is late..I have my two younger kids asleep now (8 and 3). She replies..well I'll just do it myself...then goes and starts banging on the wall with a hammer. Help!
You have to wait until he does something so manic that it's potentially hurtful to himself or others and then get him involuntarily locked up (which he will totally hate you for).
Before this happens you could try other methods like interventions. But this might cause him to pull further away from you and then you will never know when the case happens that he needs to be hospitalized for.
It is very difficult to get someone help unless they agree to it. If someone is a danger to themselves, to others or gravely disabled, you might be able to get help. The problem is that they rarely see the situation as fitting one of these.
He knows himself better than anybody else; if he says nothing is wrong, then maybe NOTHING IS WRONG, SO STOP BEING SELF-RIGHTEOUS and leave him alone.
tough problem-hmmmm, maybe you could schedule a regular dr. visit for him (for a routine check-up) and inform the dr. of his behaviors. or, find out if he does have a regular doc, and call him directly. maybe you could have someone from a church talk to him. trying to change other people is very tough, GOOD LUCK!