Daily Column

March 28th, 2008

DEAR DR. GOTT:
My 22 year-old niece has a terrible problem that I’m hoping you can help me with. She has not washed her hair in about a year. It is matted together. She wears it in a pony tail with a scarf over that. No air can get to her scalp at all. She couldn’t get a brush through it if she tried. Oh, she has not showered either! When her mother confronts her about showering and washing her hair, she simply refuses.

Is there anything you can advise us to do? We’re really worried.

DEAR READER:
Your niece appears to be suffering from a psychological disorder, part of which is a compulsion to refuse help. Aside from the social implications of her orientation, there are potential health consequences, such as skin infections and irritations.

I believe that the family should work together in arranging a crisis intervention that will include your niece’s physician, family, and other concerned individuals. The goal should be to convince your niece to undergo counseling and accept medical assistance. If she doesn’t have a physician, she should select one or understand one will be selected for her. She can then make an appointment for an examination, or be aware once again that one will be made for her.

In any event, she needs intervention. This is a difficult problem that should be addressed.