Compulsive Hoarding Disorder

Today is going to be the day to start my clean up - clear out the excess stuff I hear You say it is junk/rubbish . That is not true ....

Everything I have has special meaning to me however as we need to be able to sit on the lounge I realize I must let go of some of my things - after a cup of coffee - I need time to think about where to start .....

OK I have had my coffee so now It is time to start ......

I look at the over full shelf & pick up a piece of paper ... It is a from our cruise on the Sun Princess to Tasmania & beings back memories - I can't throw that out .....

What about the bit of cardboard I think desperately as I cannot get rid of my stuffed toys or the deflated balloon that says I Love You from my husband but a piece of cardboard can go I think ... until I turn it over and see it is from Hogs Breath...

So what you say .... Well We went there for a meal with relatives & my Uncle has now died so how can I throw out that little bit of cardboard that reminds me of him every time I pick it up ...

This is hard going & stressful & I need a break but first I must throw one item out so I look almost in despair for one thing to part with out of thew pile & yes I have found something that can go in the bin ...

What is it you ask hopefully ----- An old shopping docket ! I don't need it so in the bin it goes & I can have my coffee break after the stressful time I have just had .

I am not alone with this as Compulsive hoarding affects approximately 700,000 to 1.4 million people in the US so it is a major problem .

It is very difficult writing this & showing you the photo of my shelf in a messy state however if I can even help one person understand their partner with this problem that would be great .

I try to sort it out however I find a reason to keep everything for some reason or another .

There is a bag of stuff outside for a refuge that needs clothes etc so that is a big start

On tv there was a section on Compulsive Hoarding which is when I heard for the first time that it is a clinical problem which I guess tied in with the fact that I have severe Adult ADHD means I really need help.

Compulsive Hoarding Disorder is where people Hoard an excessive collection of items, along with the inability to discard them & throw them away .. When people hoard over a period of time this often creates such cramped living conditions that homes may be filled to capacity, with only narrow pathways winding through stacks of clutter, old newspapers ,books , fridges and much more .

This can also make a house smell so bad it makes you want to throw up when you visit the place . As the person with the problem lives there they get used to the smells .

Some people also collect animals, keeping dozens or hundreds of pets often in unsanitary conditions.

Many people that have the compulsive hoarding disorder will not agree that there is a problem .

However once someone with the compulsive hoarding disorder can agree they do have a problem then help is at hand

Cognitive behavior therapy is the most common form of psychotherapy used to treat hoarding. As part of cognitive behavior therapy, you may:

• Explore why you feel compelled to hoard
• Learn to organize and categorize possessions to help you decide which ones to discard
• Improve your decision-making skills
• Declutter your home during in-home visits by a therapist or professional organizer
• Learn and practice relaxation skills
• Attend family or group therapy
• Be encouraged to consider psychiatric hospitalization if your hoarding is severe
• Have periodic visits or ongoing treatment to help you keep up healthy habits

Please show love and support to your family members who have this problem.

Let them talk to you without criticism

Don't throw their stuff out without asking

Offer to help them - one shelf at a time

Don't laugh when they struggle to throw something out

Praise them when they let go of something

Bring them a drink while they are sorting out their precious belongs

Offer to go with them to seek help