Compulsive Hoarding: How can we help?
Compulsive hoarding is the excessive acquisition of possessions and failure to discard of the things they do not need, even if the items are worthless, hazardous, or unsanitary. Compulsive hoarding can be quite destructive as it is known to impair mobility and interfere with basic activities, including cooking, cleaning, showering, and sleeping.
It has a severe effect not only on their environment and homes but also on their families and friends. Sadly, many get to the point where they won’t let anyone into their homes because they are embarrassed. Some might be afraid that well-meaning people may pressurise them to discard items that they don’t want to.
Hoarding – A problem?
People who are compulsive hoarders are ones who obtain a large quantity of items that they fail to use or discard in a timely fashion. These items usually have little or no value and eventually take over the living quarters. People with this disorder go beyond just having a messy room or home. The collection of things becomes so bad that it begins to obstruct the common use of the room or rooms as they are intended to be used.
What things do people hoard?
There are some different classifications of things that people hoard:
- Clutter which can involve a variety of items that many other people consider to be useless.
- Books (a hoarder of books is suffering from bibliomania)
- Animals (which can cause health issues for both animals and humans)
- Digital files (photos, music, and useless files)
- Food in refrigerators and pantries
- Many have particular themes including Newspapers, magazines, clothes, craft materials, ornaments, toys, dolls, videos, technology, tools, home wares, information
- Any combination of the above.
The Diagnosis of a Compulsive Hoarder
Diagnosis should be left to the professionals, but typically, the compulsive hoarder will display these traits:
- Amassing a large number of items which have little or no value. Hoarders may believe that these items are valuable when they are in fact not.
- Living areas are cluttered
- Signs of significant impairment from functioning ‘normally’ due to the hoarding.
If you feel someone may be suffering with compulsive hoarding disorder please seek professional advice.
Help with the Clearance
Our Clearance Crew’s can work with structured guidelines concerning what can be disposed of and what must remain and their approach is key to helping with the process of clearing an amassed collection of items.
If the compulsive hoarder has reached a stage where they are actively accepting treatment, and want to start clearing, make a point of praising them for their efforts. Let the hoarder know that you see the progress they are making. Using a professional clearance provider makes the process of clearing the amassed collection efficient and accurate and by involving Cullen’s Clearances the hoarder aided in their recovery by dealing with our professional, co-operative, sympathetic and experienced clearance operatives. Contact our specialist clearance crews on 0800-033-7930 to discuss how our services could help you.
