Question Hello, John-
I am a 52 year-old woman who is so much like the character, Monk, my family teases me. Once, I was a super-perfectionist--symmetry--the whole 9 yards. For about the past ten years my hoarding and collecting has become extreme. We have been fairly destitute, so I can't collect, but I'm so weird! I really don't fit the patterns. For example, I have no trouble getting rid of trash or junk mail/news. I also am quite generous, and love to give things away, even to total strangers if I find a need. What I can't do is sort. Things collect on countertops, desks, end tables & every horizontal surface until I can't stand it any more, and scoop everything into a box or basket. I tell myself, "Tomorrow I'll sort that green 40 gallon Rubbermaid in the garage." but each day ends with me doing everything BUT. I've started to put the drinking glasses back "just so" again, so I know I'm "avoiding" and "obsessing" again. I've started back on an antidepressant after 3 years without one, but it's not helping -- the only difference is that I don't feel as guilty about my avoidance behaviors. I was on an online OCD H/C list for a couple of years, and I'd make progress, but fall back. I can easily admit my problem now, but have been unable to find a doctor willing to come to my house (to see the full extent, which photos and videos can't depict) and start me on a CBT program. Can I teach myself a cognitive behaviorial therapy? I'm fairly intelligent, and think I could do a better job of it on my own if I just knew how, rather than listen to all these Bozo's who want to drug me or talk about my alcoholic father. Do you know anything about H/C? Can you steer me in the right direction? I also have depression, but have conquered the panic attacks. I'm ADHD to the max, though it was only discovered about six years ago. (Caffine puts me to sleep, that's how weird I am.) I'm also physically ill with arthritis and a myrid of other problems. I am fortunate to have a supportive husband and helpful children, though they would dearly like me to get well, but not nearly as much as I want to. Thank you for any help you can offer.
Answer Every adult has adhd in this age thats not new. If you really had add it would have been present since childhood. The goal of the drug companies is to have every doctor prescibe straterra to everyone so they can make plenty on it. Everyone is distracted by modern life its not new. So straterra is not going to help. I think you need to get a new psychiatrist who will get you onto some behavioral modification therapy with your family helping you. look into taking anafranil as opposed to ssri's. for OCD. As far as sorting i suggest you not sort just have someone else bag them up and dispose of them. If anything is really important it will come in the mail again. Do not collect junk mail and you may need to take your mail box down and rent a box in the post office so thrid class mail will not be forwarded. When you empty the box toss out everything possible. Im thinking of taking my mail box down for the same reason i cannot keep up with all the ads and commercial offers. The post office is now just a governemnt advertising agency not a mail system anymore. Let someone else put the dishes and glasses away delegate out chores and spend your time reafing and watching tv or doing things with your hands like sewing, knitting, needlepoit and anything that occupies your hands. This isreally therapy and it occupies your mind as well as your hands. If it isnt perfect so what. If it becomes an obesssion to you then quit. Spend time in a public libratry just looking some new topics from time to time and learn to watch interesting educational shows on satellite or cable . there is much you can do on your own and the most important thing s to delegate family members to do any sorting looking for bills you have not paid or car registrations other than that anything looking for donations or bank offers toss them out without reading them. Dump all newspapers that show u unsolicited and all magazine flyers and ads.
