Hoarding is a pattern of behavior that is characterized by compulsive purchasing, acquiring, searching, and saving items. a person with a hoarding disorder may have persistent difficulty parting with possessions. “Hoarding” is now considered a form of mental illness but can be a symptoms of another disorder as well. The result of this disorder can create cramped and unsanitary living conditions, health problems, and serious conflict with family members.
I can help. My team and I at Sue Wallace CSA can assist your loved one if they’re experiencing mild hoarding behaviors. We don’t treat the symptoms – that’s the job of mental health providers.
We do pave the way for better understanding of what is important by gently and lovingly building a relationship of trust. Little by little, as we are accepted, we roll up our sleeves and get to work by organizing, discarding unnecessary items, and finding storage options for the important things. The process then becomes similar to when one cleans out a room or house. The following is a series of quotes that may help us as we decide what to do with our stuff:
- Only keep things that “spark” joy.
- Don’t hold onto things from the past.
- Don’t’ hold onto things for the future: live in the now!