Dealing with Hoarding Tendencies

Waking up in a cluttered home is a normal occurrence for countless people. These individuals live in homes that are filled with junk and rubbish. In excessive cases the houses may not even have working plumbing or electricity. This is the sad existence of extreme hoarders. And because the conditions of the homes are so deplorable, relationships with friends and family members usually fall apart. This is sometimes due to embarrassment and sometimes it is because loved ones do not want to subject themselves such circumstances. In truth, it is not uncommon for homes of hoarders to be very unsanitary. In order to prevent an escalation of problems that can become overwhelming, it is important to deal with hoarding tendencies early on. rnHoarding is not a new concept; however, in recent years hoarding has gained the attention of media. This has resulted in an increased interest in the topic as well as the availability of more information about hoarding. A simple definition of hoarding is this; having a collection or accumulation of things – and the inability to part with them. Even considering giving the items up can cause tremendous feelings of stress and discomfort. In essence, the clutter or collection of junk serves to provide a type of security or comfort for the hoarder. Most true hoarders do not feel bothered by the clutter they live with. In most instances the build-up of clutter happens gradually, so gradually in fact that the hoarder is able to adjust to the diminished living space as well as any stench emanating from rotting rubbish. The reality is, many hoarders collect random items that others may consider junk. As the accumulation builds it becomes easier to add more and more garbage to the collections. As the garbage builds so will the associated problems. This may be foul odors and fall hazards. Some hoarders allow the junk to completely cover most living areas. Even walk areas may be limited to a small pathway. Countertops and other surfaces may become completely covered with clutter and junk. Hoarding tendencies usually become evident during the teen years and they seem to worsen with age. But it should be noted that in some cases, a stressful event can ‘cause’ hoarding behaviors. Also, a family history of hoarding results in increased risks for becoming a hoarder. The good news is, there are ways to deal with hoarding tendencies. Ideally, professionals will be called in to help. This help may include therapy sessions with clinicians and professional cleaning and organizational services provided by professional organizers that specialize in hoarding. Organizational experts often rely on the help of the professionals at 1-800-GOT-JUNK? This is the leading Langley junk removal service, and they have experience in dealing with these situations.