Compulsive Throwing Away Things.
My son wants to throw things away. I have no idea why he wants to do this. But he wants to throw things away so badly that he actually will rip up items so he "justify" throwing them away. He throws away books, clothes, food, etc. It happens every day, throughout the day, and multiple times per day.
He's 18 so I can't physically stop him. I am able to delay him. He also gets sneaky about it to the extent of getting up during the night to throw things away.
Ideas anyone?
you have tried lithium ? or volume?
another idea to help with the Go TO room will have to be placing all other garbage bins in a Locked closet it will be a inconvienience for you but when he only has one garbage.. also in that room perhaps make him a bean sifting bowl , you can buy dried beans or noodles and put a good amount of them in a large tupper ware bowl, have him sit and sift the beans from one bowl to the next use cups and spoons to fill the bowl or jars this may occupy and satisfy his need to place things from here to there.. put items of intrest in the bowls and that have covers or large storage containers , he may be sensory seeking too. or this is how he controls his anxiety.. you can use the bean bowls as a re-direction and put sight words in there too nice way to learn and a diversion..
My son did this but we put locks on everything
Just couldn't stop him
Care Home found this too and also put locks on things
We too are dealing with this with our 20 year old daughter. To say it's "challenging" is an understatement as our cats have gone without food due to random trashing, haircare products evaporate, and a plethora of clothing have all met our heavy-handed, mystery, trash fairy.... And that's just to name a few. After a multitude of inquiries as to why she does this and the few consequences we can apply have all failed miserably, I am more sure than ever that this is pure compulsion that is hitting her brain's reward system.
My only advice is what we've had vague success with: having various shipping boxes or boxes that contained food in a known 'please rip, breakdown, & throw me away' pile. At the very least you're getting constructive help with a chore and can applaud your child for their help.
Helper: the only meds that would control my son from aggression once he's ramped up are KNOCK-OUT drugs. Those come in shot form (not bills). I can not get those drugs because I'm not a RN. And I don't want to knock him out. The better solution is to continue our behavior plan which is to provide soothing activities when he's slightly upset before he ramps up too much. We're already doing that. But locking up the trash would ramp him up really fast. So I can't do it right now. Not if I want him to stay safe and for me to stay safe.
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