Survialist Dad's Prepping is Actually a Medical Problem

The following is from Annie's Mailbox, an advice column published all over the U.S. in the print media (newspapers). My wife actually brought it to my attention and I laughed,....

Dear Annie: My father, my brothers and I served during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Only my father and I deployed to combat areas. Dad retired five years ago and is showing drastic symptoms of PTSD. He is stockpiling food and medical supplies and keeps trying to get my wife and me to "prepare" for when "it all hits the fan". He spends hours a day obessively watching the news and getting angry at the television. Our children used to spend time unsupervised with my parents, but that stopped when I found a loaded handgun in his bathroom cabinet. My mother has broached the topic of therapy and I've offered to go with him as I've been wrestling with some mild PTSD issues myself. But my brothers intercede every time and say Dad's fine and it's no big deal, and they convince him not to go. I believe this is dangerous. I've been unable to find any home counseling services and even our pastor says this is out of his realm of expertise. What other options are out there?- New York son

Dear Son (Annie's reply): You may have better luck getting your father to accept help if you approach him (with) this is a possible Medical Problem. We also suggest you ask him to join you for an exercise or yoga class, which can be useful for some PTSD sufferers. Also please contact the VA's National Center for PTSD or Military One Source and ask to speak to a counselor or get a referral to local military treatment facilities.

What UrbanMan would have told Son: Do not refer your Dad to the VA for PSTD - they may take his guns away. Then who is going to prortect your non-prepared butt when SHTF occurs and you undoubtably run to Daddy's house for food, shelter and protection? The only problem with your Dad is if he does not have a Bug Out Plan. Get with the program New York Son.