My aunt (Laurie) has gone absolutely INSANE. She has lost her mind. She is a nutcase. Psycho. Whacked out to the max. Out to lunch. The cancer has gotten to her brain. Or maybe it is the chemo that is bringing it out.

My view of her has been totally shattered. She doesn't behave rationally. She has 1 week left to be out of the house (it's been sold, she has to be out by the 11th), but there is still so much worthless SHIT in the house. She doesn't have time to get rid of it herself, but she refuses to let anyone actually really help. She feels she has to go through every single little thing. And when I say every single little thing I mean every single little thing. Every tool (what the hell does she need tools for?), every book (she's got hundreds), every dish (multiple sets)....

I am pretty sure she has obsessive compulsive personality disorder (different than obsessive compulsive disorder).

From the wikipedia article:

The DSM-IV-TR, a widely-used manual for diagnosing mental disorders, defines that for a patient to be diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, they must exhibit at least four of the following traits:[1]

* Preoccupation with details, rules, lists, order, organization, or schedules to the extent that the major point of the activity is lost (yep, I don't think she understands that the money from the sale of the house is what she's going to have to live on...she's dragging her feet. I don't think she wants the house to be sold. But there is no other fricken choice, dammit.)
* Showing perfectionism that interferes with task completion (e.g., is unable to complete a project because his or her own overly strict standards are not met)
(yes, and this is where her lack of the concept of time comes in)
* Excessive devotion to work and productivity to the exclusion of leisure activities and friendships (not accounted for by obvious economic necessity) (yeah, she doesn't really have any friends...I can think of one, and she just uses her like no other)
* Being overconscientious, scrupulous, and inflexible about matters of morality, ethics, or values (not accounted for by cultural or religious identification)(yeah, her way is the ONLY right way, all other ways are WRONG)
* Inability to discard worn-out or worthless objects even when they have no sentimental value (oh boy is this true - she won't even let people throw away broken, cheap, shitty lawn chairs.)
* Reluctance to delegate tasks or to work with others unless they submit to exactly his or her way of doing things (again, her way is the best way - she is always right)
* Adopting a miserly spending style toward both self and others; money is viewed as something to be hoarded for future catastrophes (actually, she is rather irresponsible with money - she spends money on the stupidest shit and lots on impulse buys)
* Shows rigidity and stubbornness (uh, yeah)

It is important to note that while a person may exhibit any or all of the characteristics of a personality disorder, it is not diagnosed as a disorder unless the person has trouble leading a normal life due to these issues.

She has not really had to support herself for several years - she moved back in with her mother at like age 50.

Jeez, I had to go to Bellingham with her last week...damn, that was the worst trip ever. It was terrible. Miserable. The place we stayed was nice but what we did....jeez, we went shopping at the Goodwill for pete's sake. What. The. Hell. We're on vacation, and you want to shop at the Goodwill? You can do that ANY time. Why not spend time outside, the area and outdoors was beautiful, the weather was great...it was completely ridiculous.

Mom and dad and Nancy are going over there again tomorrow to go throw stuff out and give stuff to the Salvation Army. It's a little nervewracking though, since she is so mentally unstable. I am almost worried she might try to physically harm them. Granted, she is very frail and skinny so she probably would be easy to overpower, but it makes me nervous just the same.

And you know what I just found out tonight? She had an abortion at some time. Now, I am pro choice, so that aspect didn't bother me much but I was shocked because I had no idea. I could have had a cousin on my dad's side. That seems so bizarre.

I dunno. I don't know what do to or say. I don't know.

San Francisco next week. That should be fun. We leave the 11th. The day that this will all hopefully be ending. Once she's in her apartment, perhaps she won't harass us anymore and we won't have to deal with her. She has pushed everyone so far away. It's really sad. She didn't used to be like this. She used to be a cool aunt. It's hard to see her that same way now. She doesn't seem like the same person. I don't want to see her for awhile. A good long while. I hate this.