Publication: Dear Abby
Help For Hoarder Is Available From Many Different Sources | |
Subscribe FREE to Dear Abby by clicking here.
DEAR ABBY - March 18, 2008
------------------------------------------------------------
Missed an issue of this Gopher publication? VISIT:
Dear Abby Archives
------------------------------------------------------------
DISC REPAIR SYSTEM
Bring your damaged media discs back to life...
Retail Price: $14.99
Deal Price: $5.99
Plain and simple you will love this item. It will save
you hundreds of dollars and also give you peace of mind.
The Disc Repair System cleans surface scratches on CD's,
DVD's, Gaming Discs, Data Discs and more... It also
prevents audio discs from skipping. Plus, you can save
vital data from damaged discs. This hand-powered carousel
cleans and polishes discs without any batteries. Plus
you can get this system for less than cost. Want to save
even more? Grab two systems for $8.98. Visit:
DISC REPAIR SYSTEM
------------------------------------------------------------
HELP FOR HOARDER IS AVAILABLE FROM MANY DIFFERENT SOURCES
ABBY: Your reply to the letter from "Troubled in Colorado"
(Jan. 10), regarding "Meg," a compulsive hoarder, missed
one important point. Hoarding is treatable. I am a code
compliance officer and encounter these situations
frequently.
Hoarding is known by several other names -- Pack Rat
Syndrome, collecting, etc. -- but it is considered to be
a form of OCD, which is highly treatable once you convince
the person to get treatment. Sufferers are usually aware
they have a problem, but ashamed to let anyone know.
This problem crosses all social and economic boundaries.
People with it are often highly intelligent, otherwise
normal people. They just need help, and it is available.
Many areas have support groups to help.
-- JUDY JONES, MURIETTA, CALIF.
JUDY: Thank you for writing. Yes, as with many other problems,
help is available -- if those who need it will only reach out.
People with OCD can be helped through therapy, drugs, experts
and organizations.
One such organization is the Obsessive Compulsive Foundation.
It is best accessed through its Web site, www.ocfoundation.org.
Its phone number is (617) 973-5801. It offers referrals to
local groups across the United States. Read on:
------------------------------------------------------------
TURTLE KEY HIDER/HOLDER
This Turtle Has A Secret...
Normal Price: $9.99
DEAL PRICE: $2.99
What a great idea! That's what everyone says about this item.
Not just an appealing garden statue, this turtle cleverly
conceals a secret spot to hide your spare key. Tuck near a
door for a handy hide away. Good for a house or garage key.
Grab one or two while they last. This is an item we made a
special purchase on and it is Below Cost! Once it sells out
it is gone forever. Makes a great Housewarming Gift too.
Because of the low price, we must limit you to no more than
six (6) per order. Check it out by visiting:
Turtle Key Hider/Holder
------------------------------------------------------------
ABBY: "Troubled in Colorado" should call her county social
services office. Most states have a senior adult services
office that could help the woman in that letter take care
of her needs. Hoarding is often a sign of self-neglect, and
that's something these officers often deal with. They can
refer her to providers who can help her clean her place.
If she has a mental health issue, the senior services worker
would also help her find counseling or a doctor to deal with
her challenge in discarding things.
-- C.R. MAHONEY, AGENCY ON AGING, CLEVELAND
READERS: FYI, your local Area Agency on Aging can be reached
at (800) 677-1116 or at www.eldercare.gov and has expertise
in handling such matters.
ABBY: I'm responding to "Troubled in Colorado," who was
trying to decide what to do about the poor living conditions
she found in her sick co-worker's house. I work in a hospital,
and what I have seen under similar circumstances is that EMS
will report living conditions like the one she described to
the receiving ER, which will likely get a case manager
involved, along with treating the patient's medical problems.
The woman sounds like she has significant OCD that needs to
be addressed. -- R.G. IN CRANSTON, R.I.
ABBY: As a professional organizer for more than 10 years,
I have seen it all. "Meg," the woman in that letter, is a
hoarder, which can be caused by depression. Any professional
organizer should be able to help her get organized. But she
also needs professional help to get to the bottom of her
depression. The condition of her house is a symptom of her
problem, and any professional organizer who deals with
hoarders can help her.
-- LESLIE J., NEW BRITAIN, CONN.
ABBY: My sisters found me in similar circumstances. The
dirty living quarters, not reaching out for help -- these
are all too common among people with major depressive
disorder. The past year has been difficult, but with the
help of my family, my therapist and the right medication,
I'm doing well. You were right, Abby, when you said
"Troubled" needs to let the hospital know, so "Meg" can
get the help she needs.
-- DOING BETTER IN MILWAUKEE
ABBY is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as
Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline
Phillips. Write ABBY at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box
69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
____________________________________________________________
More Self Help from EVTV1.com:
Self Help Videos
Dear Abby Forum:
Dear Abby Forum
------------------------------------------------------------
END OF ABBY
Copyright 2008 by NextEra Media. All rights reserved.
This feature may not be reproduced or distributed
electronically, in print or otherwise without written
permission of Universal New Media and Universal Press
Syndicate. COPYRIGHT 2008 UNIVERSAL PRESS SYNDICATE
 E-Mail this issue
Subscribe FREE to Dear Abby by clicking here.
|