sever pack rat

FACTS AND BACK GROUND

It is about my friend, who is 49 years old. I happened to drop by her house, and her teen-age son let me in until she came back. I was shocked to see the inside of the house which I have never seen anything like it. Piled unwashed dishes, papers, boxes, garbage, clothes, broken goods.... Literally no space to walk. It cannot be described simply "messy".  I came out quickly and talked to her separated husband later. He told me her long-suffering problem that she cannot throw away anything. He battled the problem years by cleaning and throwing away things but thing are getting worse and worse. If he throws away things, she just buys another. He gave me a couple of examples such as there were seven televisions in the house, and four of them are broken. Kitchen is no longer usable as there is no space to cook. Refrigerator cannot be open as there are piles of staff in front of the door. He gave up and lives close to the house to see the son. Accordingly to her husband, she spends most of her time home watching TV. She has an above average intelligence, physically healthy and has no violent tendency. She does not think it as a problem, and her parents' house are like that too. She does not allow any relatives or friends to get into her house, which seems to me that she is somewhat ashamed of it. He's never sought an advice to professionals on this matter, as he does not think there is a specific name to the problem, which, he believes, indicates there is no solution. She has a part-time job where I met, and has a pleasant personality. She does not look or behave like having a mental problem. After I saw the inside of the house, I believe that she is suffering some sort of mental problem. I would like to help her and her family.

QUESTION
Is she suffering a mental problem? Is her behavior a specific symptom of some well known mental disease? If it is neither of them, is the behavior attributable to a certain psychological character is there medication or cure for the problem? If so, what is the chance for the cure? Would the problem get worst or get better?

  

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

This is a form of compulsion, but I am not sure if there is a name for it..that's not terribly important.

She can be helped.  This kind of extreme behavior is a sign of very significant conflict that can be talked through and worked out if she is interested in doing that.  Your observation that implicitly she is ashamed of this is a good starting point.  She needs to talk to someone she can trust not to judge her so she can admit she is ashamed and wants to do something about it.  You may be the one if you are up for it and are willing to risk whatever friendship you have with her in case she becomes offended instead of appreciative.