Originally posted by branzzz:
i've been having this problem all my life. my father has been lousy controlling his temper. recently he started to show signs of becoming senile, by hoarding old things he had bought from sungei road. now, my small three room flat is totally packed up with no space to even walk through the house. it is becoming so filthy that it has sparked off a skin allergy on me. i have tried many times to talk to him to clear up the place and he kept procrastinating. it has been a total of 5times in less than a year that he said he will, but nothing was ever done. whenever i raise my voice, he would hit me or challenge me to a physical fight outside the house, which i smartly declined. the problem is that he has a 60% ownership of the house. my mum has no way of buying another house due to lack of funds. as such we are stuck here. i would like to discuss what options i have to make my life better. i have thought of getting them to sign divorce papers, but from there, where will me, my mum and bro stay? i do not wish to bring in the law unless its absolutly needed. i have an ambition to become an air force pilot, which i am working hard to achieve. one of the requirements to be a pilot is to have a stable family history, which the SAF would check by looking into legal records. i do not want to place my ambition at great risk.
Frankly I don't think your dad is becoming senile . I think there is really a mental problem with him from what I am reading (but I have no way to judge). Obsessive compulsive behaviours can exhibit through behaviours like continously cleaning the house or self , OR collecting junk. Either way whether senile or mentally disturbed ...ur dad needs medical help .... no amount of HDB and town council interventions are going to help if he has a medical problem . Get him examined . I know sometimes you can call a gp to do a homevisit if you are worried - talk to the gp about your father's behaviour and bring photos of the house. Or call the number below and explain your situation - I think maybe they could help but I am not sure. Hoarding trash is not normal . Senility comes with forgetfulness and agitation in an unknown environment, not violence unless they feel cornered. People who are senile don't usually make excuses for their actions either. Compulsive behaviour sounds more like ur dad's case but I am no psychiatrist , so I cannot say much
Numbers for IMH are here as follows
Emergency Help Line (24 Hours) 63892222
Institute of Mental Health Those suffering from psychological and psychiatric problems Mon – Fri
Sat 8am – 4.30pm 1800 - 3892200
alternative
S.O.S.
SAMH Helpline Anybody in crisis and the suicidal.
For people who have psychological, psychiatric or social problem and others who need information on services for such persons Daily
Mon – Fri
Sat 24 hours
9am – 5pm 1800 – 221444
1800 – 2837019