Hoarding
Apparently 4% of the population suffers from the condition called Hoarding. I know 75% of my clients do. When people meet me and ask what I do, they are quick to come up with a story of a friend, relative, client, patient or themselves who has an unimaginable space filled with stuff. And of course it’s not unimaginable to me at all, as that’s what I help people with every day.
I honestly get upset when people judge hoarders in a derogatory way. People who judge simply don’t understand the issues which are severely complex. Even while I watch any number of those hoarding shows, I find the participants are being exploited not helped. Many of the “experts” are exploring the issues rather than combating them. And although not all cases can be solved, I know from my experience that if someone is seeking help for the problem they are more open to pushing through the hard issues to get to the other side and success and a better life is possible.
To combat hoarding is truly a huge undertaking and can be an enlightening and painful process. There are many other serious issues associated and attached to hoarding. Some of these are financial, mental, shopping addictions, drug addictions, depression, health, family, abuse and the list goes on. It is very sad and although I am not a psychologist, I am truly sympathetic to these people and their condition. And after working with them for nine years, I have the experience and foresight to get them where they need to go through a process of guided questions and working with them one on one. My clients take a vested interest in their personal success and fully participate in their process by taking ownership of their decisions of their possessions.
My team and I start with a complete respect and understanding of their vision of positive intention. Then we work from there with guided questioning towards their vision. And if items are obsolete and don’t fit into the plan we orchestrate an exodus for them. Whether is garbage, goodwill, sale, or storage. Hoarders who are in recovering mode are faced head on with their fears. They are feeling secure that this one bigger than them undertaking, is now obtainable with the support and guidance from our trained team. Many of my clients have had their friends and or families do a mess intervention, which was disastrous. This was because most friends or family don’t understand the psychology behind the illness and although they mean well they unknowingly disrespect the hoarders’ belongings, feelings and intentions. Judgment and resentment come into play with that approach and the space will returns to its jungle like state or worse in no time. My recommendation to a hoarder is to either to seek professional help with a physiologist or psychiatrist and to definitely hire a professional organizer and team that are well experienced in hoarding projects. Bottom line is there is help if you seek it and life can change for the better.
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- Hoarder’s Kitchen – Before
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- Hoarder’s Kitchen – After
Tags: Brenda Borenstein, clutter, hoarding, or