Hoarding
by Julia Herzog, Allen Neighborhood Center
Compulsive
hoarding is a fear of throwing things away as well as an emotional attachment
to the items. This fear may stem from worrying that something bad will
happen if they throw it away, or they may worry that they will not be
able to fully remember it if they throw it out. It may be a habit they
developed years ago due to the lack of time or energy to organize their
home. Often there is a sense of loss associated with throwing things
away. People may also become attached to objects that remind them of
people or times from the past. Four themes in hoarding are indecisiveness,
perfectionism, procrastination, avoidance. It is more common in the
elderly; this may be because the habit of hoarding develops over time.
In
some people it may stem from a mental health concern. Hoarding often
creates a vicious cycle in which the person feels trapped. The cycle
of shame may lead to isolation and depression. It may be some form of
obsessive compulsive disorder. Most people are not aware of the extent
of their problem until people point it out.
Hoarding
not only impacts the individual but it is also a public health and safety
risk. Piles of clothing, boxes, and papers are a danger zone for catching
on fire. Also, in case of emergency, lots of clutter could prevent someone
from exiting the house on time. Homes with extreme clutter are in danger
of being red-tagged by the city.
Reasons for Hoarding
- Items are perceived as valuable,
either for use, decorative reasons, or sentimental value
- Items provide a source of
security
- Fear of forgetting or losing
items
- Constant need to collect and
keep things
- Obtaining love not found from
people
- Fear others will obtain their
personal information
- Physical limitations and frailty
- Inability to organize
- Self neglect
- Stressful life events
- Difficulty knowing how to
organize
- Lack of financial resources to dispose of items
- Further reference on hoarding
How to Help Yourself:
- Recognize that hoarding is
not something to be ashamed of. This is something that is common, and
there is help! You do not have to work through this alone. Read up on
overcoming the barriers to removing clutter through websites and books.
- Be willing to ask for help.
Sometimes clutter gets to the point where it feels overwhelming and
you just don’t know where to start. It is okay to ask for help. If
you do not feel comfortable asking friends and family there are several
mental health resources listed below as well as website.
- Give yourself time. It took
a while to accumulate all of these possessions, so don't expect to
clean up overnight. It also took time to develop the habit, and so it
is going to take time to get it back under control.
How to Help a Neighbor:
- Do’s:
- Develop a plan and find resources
in advance
- Contact the person face to
face
- Use a gentle approach and
let the person tell their story
- Use empathy and understanding,
try to see it from their perspective
- Respect the meaning and attachment
to the objects
- Go slowly and expect gradual
changes
- Reassure them that help is
possible
- Involve them in the solution
process
- Work with agencies to maximize
resources
- Refer for medical and mental
health evaluation if necessary
- Don’ts:
- Force intervention
- Be critical or judgmental
of their environment
- Press them for information
if they seem uncomfortable
- Make negative or sarcastic
comments
- Use the term “hoarder”,
a person is not their symptom. Instead refer to it as “hoarding”
or “someone who hoards”.
Tips and Tricks for helping keeping clutter
down
- Help the neighbor recognize
their own strengths. Often depression or the overwhelming nature of
the task gets in the way of reducing clutter. Organization begins in
the mind.
- Someone who hoards will want
to keep control over their possessions. A well meaning friend or family
member trying to pack everything up for the person could push the person
to try to hold onto their stuff even more. Be gentle; try to work side
by side with them.
- Help them to recognize the
impact of the clutter on their lives. This will help them to stop making
excuses for the clutter.
- Help them to recognize that
they do not have to be embarrassed. The clutter is something that did
not happen overnight and it is not going to go away overnight.
- Help them to see that something
bad is not going to happen if they throw it away.
- It is okay if the clutter
comes back. The last thing you want is for the person to feel immobilized
again. Rather, focus on the ability to change and that this does not
have to be a permanent situation.
Local Resources for Removing Clutter
- Freecycle.org
- Post listings of stuff you
want to get rid of. Area residents will respond if they are interested.
A quick and fairly easy way to relieve yourself of household items.
- Lansing area: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mmfn/
- We have public computers here
available at the Allen Neighborhood Center. If you need help registering
an account and learning how to use the website feel free to stop in.
- Granger Trash Removal (Cheapest
Removal Service)
- Six Bag Service, $14 per Month.
Averages to $0.60 per bag.
- 517-372-2800
- Also has trash carts available.
- Lansing City Trash Removal
- Blue Bag Service, Bags Purchased
at Local Stores
- $9.50 for 5 bags, which is
$1.90 per bag.
-
List of retailers for city trash bags(Note: PDF format)
- They also have trash carts
available.
- Low-Income bulk stickers for
large items available. (Otherwise they are normally $33 a piece). To
receive low-income (two free stickers) you must take a picture ID with
your address on it down to the office, as well as proof of income. This
can be a pay stub, a bridge card, or a My Health card. The address is
601 E. South St. Lansing, MI 48910
- 517-483-4400
Local Resources for Mental Health
- The first option to try is Community
Mental Health. They will talk with the person, determine what kind
of counseling or other help they would need, and refer them to
the appropriate party. If it does seem they need counseling CMH will
either find them a referral through the person’s insurance agency,
or if they do not have insurance CMH would see if they qualify for help
through them. The number is 517-346-8318. There are also two related
support groups in the area:
- Obsessive Compulsive Foundation
of Michigan, a support
group for those dealing with obsessive compulsive disorder. Contact Jon at (517) 485-6653,
or email 1424@core.com
- Emotions Anonymous, a self-help group sharing experiences,
hopes and strengths with each other using a 12-Step program to gain better
emotional health. Visit http://allone.com/12/ea/ for more details.
Animal Hoarding
Animal hoarding is another
problem that can lead to health and safety dangers. Some people with
many animals can lead happy normal lives, but it can also lead to an
unhealthy obsession.
Local Resources for Spaying and Neutering
- The Angel Project: Resources for low-income families
who need help getting their pets spayed or neutered. Contact Penelope at 517-337-0699.
- Capital Area Humane Society: currently only scheduling
spaying and neutering for CATS. Cat Spays: $60, and Cat Neuters:
$30. They also have vaccine packages available. 517-626-6060
Online Articles:
Saving the World?
Clutter Busters
The Danger of Hoarding
The Psychology of Hoarding
References:
http://understanding_ocd.tripod.com/hoarding.html
http://www.squalorsurvivors.com/squalor/hoarding.shtml
http://www.organizeyourlife.org/hoarding.htm
http://www.la4seniors.com/hoarding.htm
