Hoarding: Signs and Symptoms

I am sure that most of you have seen the show Hoarders, or are at the very least familiar with its concept. Sometimes the situations on the show can be very intense and, in some cases, even hard to watch. For most of us, it is hard to imagine our home ever looking like the homes you see on the show and only a few of us have ever experienced a hoarding situation first hand. The most difficult part of the show is understanding the mindset of the hoarders themselves. Many of the shows viewers do not realize that hoarding is actually a mental health disorder recognized by the American Psychiatric Association.

Recently ServiceMaster partnered with the host of Hoarders, Matt Paxton, and have worked with him all over the country to cleanup homes that have been affected by hoarding. I wanted to take this opportunity to discuss some of the signs and symptom of hoarding and some pointers on what to do if someone you know may be suffering from this disorder.

Signs and Symptoms

The obvious first sign is what you physically see in someone’s home. Is their home nearly full of clutter? Are they saving large amounts of items that most would consider trash? Is the situation hazardous to the person’s physical health?
Many hoarders are extremely secretive about their hoarding and will try to hide their behavior from friends and family. They do so by not allowing friends and family into their home.
Some hoarders take it even farther and will cut off all communication with friends and family in fear that their hoarding will be exposed to the outside world.
Hoarders purchase or “collect” items in extreme excess and are able to justify every item with a purpose.

Common Triggers

Hoarding tendencies are usually triggered by a particular event in the person’s life. People begin hoarding in order to fill a void in their life with physical items. Some of the most common triggers are; the loss of a loved one, divorce, cancer, loss of job, etc.

How to get help

If you discover that a loved one has an issue with hoarding it is important to seek professional help. People with a hoarding disorder have a psychological attachment to their items and trying to help them without professional assisstance can only make the situation worse. ServiceMaster has been trained to handle hoarding situations with patience and compassion. It is also important to have a professional assess the home for extreme or hazardous damages that can occur to the structure of the home in a hoarding situation.

Compassion is key

Remember that hoarding is a mental health disorder. Mental health experts warn against threatening the hoarder. By telling them that you are going to end your relationship with them, or by throwing their items away, you can actually do more harm than good. Show compassion toward the person and assist them in getting professional help.

Hoarding is much more common than most of us realize. The most recent estimations show that nearly 5% of the overall population in the United States may meet the criteria associated with hoarding. It doesn’t sound like much but it equates to about 15 million people! If you or someone you know suffers from this disorder, please do not hesitate to call ServiceMaster by Bailey. We can help you to take the right steps in getting help. 770.720.9533.