OCD

[Maydup]

My friend has OCD and collects stuff, especially papers. Is there anyway I can help to clear things for them without upsetting or offending them, or making their OCD worse?

[boxtops]

Maidup, you can't. I had a friend who couldn't throw away a newspaper unless she'd read every bit of it - there were piles under the bed, in the wardrobe.... all you can do is to try to persuade her to throw away ones before a certain date, perhaps, or to keep them in containers, and have a process so when box 6 is full, you throw box 1 away - but you mustn't look in it, just throw it. It hurts.

[Maydup]

I can't even find the words to begin the process. But there are piles and piles - all very neat and perfect for popping in the bin! Its so tempting but I know I mustn't .

Whatever I think of to say " would you like me to help you with some of these" etc etc will only result in a "no thanks" but I'd love to be able to help. Or should I be tougher and cruel to be kind?

[boxtops]

Until she acknowledges that it's a problem, you can't, it will only cause more distress. Unless of course she's already asked you for help....

[anneasquith]

i think its best to leave her collection alone,

[pizza]

agree with boxtops maybe suggest good storage boxes so they dont get dusty and store them in a spare room instead of them in random places.