I have to say this did not entirely make sense to me. I understand abuse and such, but I think perhaps going back 10 years, her husband was not equipped to deal with her mental health issues and frustration ensued. I think he is very mentally abusive, however I also feel that fact that she pees in cups and doesn't clean up after herself is her own mental health issue and not so much her husband's control. I feel badly for both people in this situation. This is a problem that spiralled way out of control and they were both in over their heads.

It was apparant watching Valerie that she has mental problems.  Her flat affect and wanting others to save/rescue her shows that she is not thinking clearly.  It appears that the husband did not want to take the time to find her help or maybe have the ability to seek help for her.  Thank you Dr Phil and Dr Lawless for starting the testing to find out what is going on.  I pray that with good nutrition and a competant therapist, Valerie will be able to lead a better life.  Please keep us appraised of the progress of charges against the husband.  He may be more willing to share his side of the story after his charges are resolved.  This story can help others who are trapped by their mind to show their family how to obtain help for them.  Also the threat of death (the husband toward both Valerie and her mother) should be an immediate reason to get the authorities involved.  Bullys prey on those who cower and shrink back afraid to stand up for themselves.  The mother may have some of the same mental problems as Valerie, these traits can be genetic.  The mother should possibly be evaluated also.  Again a big thank you to Dr Phil for stepping up and helping.

I am in agreement with everyone else, this doesn't make sense! She shows no obvious anxiety about talking in front of a live audience, I would guess to be 50+. Not only that but the room was littered with Pepsi bottles. This seemed kind of odd to me... The man who is abusing her cruely is going to the grocery store to get what I assume to be her favorite drink of choice. He won't let her use a toilet, yet he is getting for her an endless supply of pepsi.... why not just water? Why isn't he taking the easy thoughtless route of filling up a jug with water, he is going to the store and getting her pepsi, yet he won't let her use the toilet? I think the producers got in too deep and couldn't back out of the story even after realizing it didn't make sense. The photos.... did she take them, go to the store and develop them and take them to her mom's? Just so weird.... and LAX I'm not going to go there because so many have before me.

I taped this show and watched it today and I feel the same way as many others.  I think the premise of this show was very misleading.  I actually thought this lady was held prisoner but in reality she has severe mental health issues.  Obviously, her husband was unequipped to handle the situation and yes it sounds like he was an extremely cruel person.  However, we have not heard his side of the story so it is difficult to discern what really happened here.

...Not really, of course. I could have changed the channel at any time, but I kept waiting to hear about the alleged "hostage" story. I guess that is why it was called alleged for this story. Honesty, I believe that Valerie has agoraphobia. She appears to have severe anxiety and ocd as well. I am not sure why Dr Phil didn't explore these options (aside from the OCD) with her. I do believe that he was attempting to be sensitive to her needs, but by doing so it  opened up a whole set of new questions and issues for the audience. I began to get suspicious when the producer went to the house and was able to "explore" it freely. Wouldn't it be considered a crime scene and be off limits to outsiders? Although, the show stressed that none of this had been proven, and was still alleged, I think leaving the viewers lost during the show and also adding to Valerie's idea of being held hostage was a bit deceptive for us all. Come on Dr Phil and staff, being sensitive to a guest condition or needs is one thing but not presenting a clear story to your audience is something else.

Ok, something just doesn't add up.  There is a story here but I don't think it was what was presented.  She wasn't locked in her room or house. She was able to leave. she obviously has a mental issue.  The deplorable conditions were caused by her.  There is a story here, bet it would be really different from the husband's side.  People are wierd. I just can't get over the fact that she urinated in cups and left it there.  Everyone involved is nuts!

I'm glad everyone seems to agree about this show.  After watching, I was so perplexed about any belief I had of her full story so I came to the boards to see if others were thinking the same thing too because it was just so crazy.  Man, her and her mother's story just did not make ANY sense, ya know?  I watched it with a constant look on my face which said, "what you're saying just does not add up."  So she could make a visit with her mother to show the photos, she could get through LAX in a timely mannor but couldn't leave a horrid urine stinched room which remained unlocked???  It was obvious she really could have if she wanted to and this was confirmed when she discussed the visit with her mother about the photos.  I'm thinking she and her mother are obsessed with Dr. Phil's show and therefore created a dilusional vacuum of a story which included both of them contributing to it.  If her mother was so afraid of the husband killing her or her daughter, she wouldn't have written Dr. Phil so many times and in turn would have written the authorities MORE times.  Does not add up!!!  Hoping both of them will receive the REAL help they obviously need.

I think this woman is a total nutbar and I hope that Dr. Phil gets her the help she needs.  That said, I can't believe I wasted an hour watching this but I was waiting to hear something from her that made sense.  I hear a lot of people bashing the husband we haven't heard from but perhaps she's the one threatening him with suicide if he does anything....we don't know because he isn't allowed to speak about the matter.  I just have a hard time believeing that someone can't make it to her front door in less than 45 minutes but she can walk through LAX.....lolol......she wasn't as convincing as she thought she was.

I had to stop watching this episode due to my lack of sympathy for the woman on the show.  She couldn't stand the noise of the audience, but had no problem walking through LAX.  She could pee in a cup, but not throw the pee into the toilet.  She had enough strength to go see her mother, but it took her "40-45 mintues" to answer the door when the police were knocking on it?  Sounds like manipulation to me.  I do not get the feeling that we're talking about Baby Jane here when it comes to her husband.  My gut says he probably got tired of catering to her needy behaviors.  I do feel that the woman is mentally ill, but I have a feeling that she relishes being so and becoming healthy is not something she is interested in.

I posted something similar.  His treatment  was inhumane; she may have become a burden.   My guess is they both had mental issues and it came together to create the perfect storm.  I too am curious to hear his side.  As stated, the truth will likely be somewhere inbetween.