I Control My Minions Through.: Revenge/Fear.
It was implied by Teufort's genealogy records that she grew up there, and since everyone there has really goofy brain damage we can't exactly blame her. Helen believes she is constantly Surrounded by Idiots and is paranoid that everyone is out conspiring against her. Freudian Excuse: Possibly, depending on whether those genealogy records can be taken at face value.Implicitly demonstrated by getting her old Life Extender - which was sunken bone-deep into her arm - torn out and replaced without any anesthetic.
She's so old that her nerves have decayed to the point that she, by her own admission, doesn't feel anything anymore.