Compulsive Hoarding

Compulsive hoarding has recently received a great deal of media attention.  Books, magazines, and most recently A&E’s television show “Hoarders” have all brought this disorder into the public eye.  According to several mental health groups that treat this disorder, an estimated 2 million people in the United States alone can be classified as “hoarders”.

What is Hoarding?

Hoarding can be described as the excessive accumulation of possessions coupled with an inability to discard objects that most other people would consider having very little or no value.  Whether the items are new or literally garbage, the clutter in a hoarder’s home is generally so extreme that rooms can no longer be used as they were intended (such as a bathroom so filled with “stuff” that you can no longer use it for personal hygiene).  Compulsive hoarding can create hazardous living arrangements not only for the hoarder but for his or her family and neighbors as well.

How do you measure the problem?

When Order Out of Chaos works with hoarders, we evaluate the severity of the situation by focusing on the individual’s living situation. Is the house functional and maintained?  For example, when viewing a home we look to see if doorways, hallways and stairwells are blocked by clutter.  Do the occupants have access to the kitchen and can prepare food SAFELY?  Where do the occupants sleep? Is the bathroom functional or filled with items not normally found in a bathroom?  Are there pets and are they well cared for?  Are the utility systems working? Is there visible waste piled up?  This type of assessment allows us to measure the seriousness of the situation and determine an appropriate action plan.

How can Order Out of Chaos help?

It is important to know that assisting a hoarder is a collaborative effort.  After making our initial assessment, we meet at the home with the individual and his or her support team (family member, therapist, etc.) to put together a specialized plan to address their circumstances. We work TOGETHER to make decisions.  Always sensitive to the fact that this is someone’s home and their personal belongings, our goal is to restore order and safety.  The process may involve a combination of sorting, selling, donating, disposing and cleaning of the home. We work directly with the individual every step of the way, providing support and assistance both during and afterwards to make the process a manageable and smooth experience.