Mother in law problem

merlin68

We went round mil on sunday and she started ranting and raving that she was going to kill herself and set fire to the house in front of my daughter. I obviously let rip as it is not acceptable behaviour.
This is all because my hubby now works six days a week and she lives nearly an hour away and cant do everything for her.
Really don't know what to do with her.
The whole house is uninhabitable, she hasn't washed for 2 months and wont let anyone in in case they chuck her rubbish out.

pink_princess

It sounds like she needs real professional help. Have you contacted the gp or social services?

Alikay

She is clearly having some kind of mental health crisis. Can you phone her GP, or someone in the team that looks after her if she's already in the system?

merlin68

I've notified her daughter who's closer to her as I've already been accused of setting a phone line up for her which I didn't do. And her other son who was around at the same time was accused of accessing her bank account.
As soon as you mention cleanliness or help she goes of on one she discharged herself from hospital as she was so scared that we were going to chuck her stuff away.

merlin68

shes been telling the nurse that no one goes to see her which they do but obviously not all the time. we all go once a week but nobody wants to go more with the state of her and the house if you no what I mean plus work.

amus

Sounds very much like dementia. Has she been assessed?

merlin68

That's what I was thinking but she refuses help if you suggest anything the suicide threats start. She lost her husband 3 years ago and fell down the stairs and broke her pelvis. plus shes had cataracts removed so cant see properly.
she refuses to turn the heating on and have a log fire and expects people to sweep her chimney and cut wood.
shes now gone and put prepayment metres in with no means of going to get the cards when it runs out.

Lucy_Lastic

I agree with the other posters, sounds like she needs help with mental health issues. I would contact her GP and get her refered to the local mental health team.
Try to remember if it is a mental health issue, she cannot help the way she is or what she says. She may realise that there is something wrong and possibly is frightened, causing her to lash out, verbally.
There is a lot of help out there if you (or her children) can get it for her.

You say she discharged herself from hospital - how did she come to be admitted? Was this recently?

lushlifesaver

I would suggest contacting social services in her area - they will be able to go round and have a chat.
The best plan is likely to arrange for them to visit with one of your MIL's children in order to gain access whilst causing as little distress as possible.

They will be able to help, it might be a painful process to watch your MIL go through as she will likely face some mental anguish but it sounds like she is in real need of some professional support

Lucy_Lastic

Missed some posts while I was typing! Surely if she has had cataracts removed she should be able to see better?

It does sound like dementia. She may need to be sectioned in order to get the help she needs.

What age is she?

merlin68

75 so no that old.