Member-only story
A top writer here wrote a personal story about her struggle with hoarding and how she got help. Is your home messy or hoarding?
At my former job as a social worker, I visited many homes and interacted with parents, grandparents, young children, teenagers, and foster parents. All parents did what they could with what they had to make their home livable for their family. I’ve visited hundreds of homes and never observed hoarding.
But my side job, as an organizer, exposes me to hoarding. I always visit homes for a consultation but only accept one-third of the job. Why? Often, the home is not disorganized, but the hoarding doesn’t allow for any bare floor space for standing or walking.
I usually referred the homeowner to a licensed psychologist with a specialty in hoarding. Why the referral? Because hoarding is a disorder and homeowners need many sessions of cognitive psychotherapy and/or medication before cleaning and organizing can be effective.
My experience shows most of the hoarders have the means for treatment, dress properly, and often live in a large home.
