Hoarding Help

Hoarding Help and advice

DON’T FEEL LIKE YOU ARE ALONE.

In the U.S.A. it is estimated that there are well over 3 million hoarders and the numbers are growing. It’s also very common in Australia, where there is well over 400,000 hoarders.

Hoarding is common place so there’s no need for anyone involved to feel embarrassed, ashamed or guilty! Hoarding is a condition that can be treated.

There are many reasons why hoarding starts some psychologically initiated and some simply because it is just too hard to get rid of rubbish. Sometimes it is the elderly who are holding onto their memories, or its people that lack the physical ability to remove items from their property. The accessibility of the property can be a factor too – very long steep driveway, too many stairs, rural location. 

Understand that your loved one, most likely, knows it is wrong, wants to stop, but are unable to control it. When you confront them, they may become defensive, and deny they have a problem.

This is just human nature. When we are confronted with something that we already feel guilty about, the easiest way out of it, is to defend yourself, or avoid talking about it altogether. You should realize that there is sometimes an underlying psychological disorder that accompany hoarding. For example, a tragedy or lifetime event can often be a catalyst.