Seeking help for a friend who is having trouble functioning

Hi,

i was wondering if anyone could help recommend a remedy for a friend. He cannot seem to function in the real world. He'll spend 20 hours a day on the computer, but can't seem to clean, cook, or do anything for himself.

He is 47 years old, very intelligent and extremely creative. He is a director of photography (cinematographer) in his spare time.

In a way he has ADD, but not really, because he can super-focus on one thing for 20 hours. The problem is that he can't seem to come up out of that focus to function properly in the real world.

He says he feels disconnected from everyone. He ha s problems with depression. He has terrible anxiety, especially when it comes to performing and talking to women. He's terrified to talk to women.

His biggest dream is to be a rock star, but he is afraid of performing his music in front of anyone, so he never does. He's very critical of himself, and compares himself to others. He often says he is jealous of others who are successful in that area.

He is not gay, but has not dated a woman in over 10 years. His last relationship ended badly, and because of the guilt (her feelings were hurt), he doesn't want to hurt anyone else, so he does not date. But he wants a girlfriend.

He won't let me see his house. He says he never cleans and hasn't done dishes in 3 months, so I have the feeling it's horrible on the inside. He often buys things on impulse, and compulsively spends, so I think his house may be like a pack rat's.

When I see him in person, he is usually clean and well-kept and clean shaven.

He is a perfectionist, so nothing ever gets done.

He is always running out of money, because he forgets to bill people for his services. He is absent minded about day-to-day stuff, but can hold a conversation very easily.

He is heavily into conspiracy theory. He is somewhat paranoid about the 'elite' and the illuminati taking over the world.

He is bald, and shaves his head. I think he is handsome, but he is convinced he's ugly, and nobody wants him. He's very, very hard on himself.

He told me he suffers from bleeding hemorrhoids (He's had to go to the hospital for blood loss before), and sugar makes him very, very tired and unable to function...but he craves it. Other than that, he is healthy on the physical level. When he was a kid, he had a lot of sore throats.

He is also afraid of going to the doctor.

Ideas?

p.s. In addition to being critical of himself, he can be extremely harsh and critical of others, as well. But not in a mean way. It's more that he has no empathy...he doesn't realize how harsh he can be. But then he feels bad about it afterwards.

He does have a very hard time connecting with others.
[message edited by nature_girl on Sat, 22 Dec 2012 14:23:59 GMT]
[message edited by nature_girl on Sat, 22 Dec 2012 14:25:32 GMT]