Need Your Input

Hi All! I have a problem I am hoping you can help me figure out. My stepson's Papaw is having some trouble with reality and nobody really knows what to do.

He has always been the kind of person who had paranoia to a degree... always thinking people were trying to steal his land....

he was electrocuted in a power line accident about 7 years ago and he seems to have gotten worse since then. Now he is hearing people inside the walls and floors of his house.

He is convinced his neighbor is always trying to get into his house and that his wife is in on it.. trying to help the neighbor get in.

He has changed the locks on the house numerous times.. refusing to give his wife a key. he instaled a security alram system and wouldn't give her the code...he has a deadbolt without a doorknob on his bedroom door.. his wife has a seperate bedroom.

He raised his fist at her the other day accusing her of letting this man into the house so he could steal things.. so she has now moved out not being able to take it anymore.

He locked himself in his room the other night and was so sure that people were in his house that he called the sheriff's department.He says he can hear them in the attic... the walls.. the floor. under the house.

Can anyone give me some ideas as to whats going on with him? Or what to do about it? He doesn't think he has anything wrong with him and he refuses to go see a doctor. The family is at a loss as to what to do.. should they try to have him declared incompetent?

Please give me your thoughts and opinions.... this family is hurting over Papaw being like this.He is loved and needed, and everyone is worried about wether or not he could become a danger to himself or others.. he does own several guns... as he used to be a hunter.

Thank you for listening... Faith

I can't tell you what is going on with him or what you should do about him because Im not a professional but I do think its worth at the least a visit to the family physician. there are many medical and mental problems out there that could be causeing these type of problems and a family physician can at the least rule in or out those medical (physical) reasons so that it might make it easier to get him evaluated by a psychiatrist on his own without anyone having to declair him incompetant. or the physican can advise you in his her professional opinion as to if he can continue to take care of himself competently mentally and physically and if not if you should seek court action against him including possible inpatient care in the event that he is declaired incompetant.

You didn't say how old he was? I would try to make sure your stepson's Papaw's wife was okay and cared for? If there are other sons, maybe a "ganged up" approach would help? Is there anyone at all that he would listen to or anyway his neighbor could be appealed to to come talk to him and reassure him he's not out to take his land, etc.? Sounds like he definately needs help, is senile or has ongoing effects from his electrocution. I would have his wife call his doctor and see if the doctor has any suggestions; I'm sure the doctors must see problems like this more often than individuals?

he is in his 60's.. and he has always had paranoid tendencies.... just gotten so much worse lately... his wife has had enough and left him and has already been to see a lawyer....

He has agreed to go see his doctor.. his grandson got him to agree to that so maybe he will get the help he needs before he gets any worse...

Thanks guys for your answers...Faith