Hoarding is a compulsive issue in which a person continues to obtain belongings and is unable to get rid of useless items. Even the most useless items that most people would describe as junk, is unable to be thrown away for the fear that it would be needed in the future. The compulsion can seriously affect a person's standard of living, with the home sometimes becoming unable to be traversed because it is extremely full of clutter.
Hoarding is the extreme case of being a pack rat. It is either an effect of a psychological problem or an issue with a previous past issue or loss. Now Hoarders gives hoarding attention and understanding.
The Hoarders TV Show Puts a Spotlight On Hoarders
Just as Intervention has been doing for a while with addiction, and what Obsessed has been doing with OCD, now Hoarders from A&E will be doing with hoarding. The show, which airs on A&E on Mondays at 10pm, will feature the plight of extreme pack rats while attempting to describe the reasons that the clutter is being collected. Each one hour episode will feature the lives of two people who have the inability to get rid of their belongings. Though the problem of hoarding can usually only be solved with long-term assistance, the show will provide a short-term solution by having a professional organizer help get rid of the clutter.
Compulsive hoarding involves a small percentage of obsessive compulsive syndrome sufferers, and therefore does not get the same attention as other effects and symptoms of the disorder. Oprah began exposing the problem sporadically and now the Hoarders TV program will expose it weekly, giving the issue more attention and understanding.
What is a Hoarder?
Between 700,000 and 1.4 million people in the United States are said to have compulsive hoarding syndrome. It is something that is most prevalent with those with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Mostly, they have the following symptoms:
- immense difficulty throwing anything away
- severe difficulties making decisions, perfectionism, and procrastination in order to avoid making mistakes
- living areas are sufficiently cluttered that normal tasks are difficult to perform in those areas
- daily function is impaired as a result of the hoarding
- social isolation due to embarrassment or preoccupation with tasks due to the nature of the disorder
Now that "Hoarders" is putting the spotlight this 'closet' disorder, it will get better attention.
Sources:
- Buried in Treasures: Help for Compulsive Acquiring, Saving, and Hoarding by David Tolin, Randy Frost, and Gail Steketee
- OCFoundation.org
- To learn how to get rid of clutter (not for hoarders) read, Cut Clutter-Home Organizing.
Jeremy Glennon - Jeremy has been the e-commerce manager, SEO manager, and a partner for the home organization website Organize It and the home organizers ...
