ABSTRACT
Kate is 27 and lives at home with her parents and younger brother. She studied anthropology at university and had been in a long-term relationship. After leaving university with a good degree, she struggled to get a job. She eventually found work in a restaurant, which she seemed to enjoy. Last year her boyfriend moved out and she decided to quit her job and move back home. Over the past year her family has become increasingly worried about her health and behaviour. Her personal care has deteriorated and she has slowly withdrawn from interacting with her family. She has not bothered to find a job locally and only leaves her bedroom to wash and get food from the kitchen. Kate has also begun to clean her hands obsessively although otherwise she does not seem to wash. Her room smells stale and she has refused to let her mum change her bedding. She does not seem to change her clothes and does not allow them to be washed with the family clothes. Her mother has noticed that Kate’s hands are raw and that she has sores on her back and her legs. She refused to speak to a GP about her mood, and in desperation Kate’s parents have spoken to their GP about what can be done. The GP was concerned enough to attempt a home visit, but on arrival Kate refused to come out of her room, saying that she was just having a break from the stresses of living.
