On March 17, 2010,
in Hoarders,
by Deb Lee, Certified Professional Organizer®
There’s a new program on TLC that profiles the lives of hoarders called, Hoarding: Buried Alive. Just like it’s A&E counter part, the series premier profiled two sets of people struggling with this condition. In fact, one of them, Chris, lives in my backyard in Northern Virginia. To look at, he seems like an average man. To look at his cluttered townhouse is to understand that there’s a lot more going on than appears at first glance.
Hoarding is a severe taskmaster, and once a person begins hoarding, it’s really hard to escape the web…unless correct treatment occurs.~Dr. Keith Saylor, Psychologist
In the clip below, Chris brings his new girlfriend home for the first time. It’s a harsh reality for her to deal with, and even more difficult for Chris as he enlists the help of psychologist and professional organizer in an attempt to save his relationship.
In the other case, Laurie also received help from a pro organizer. This was her attempt to save her marriage and have her grandchildren come for a visit. It’s interesting that though both hoarders said they wanted help for themselves, they seemed to really want help to repair or save their treasured relationships. Does that really matter? If they get the help no matter the reason, does it really matter? My gut says, yes, it matters because for something to stick (really stick), you need to do if for yourself. If the person you’re making the changes for is out of the picture, then what? On the flip side, they’re getting help and if they have a strong support system, they may still have a chance at long-term success. I’m a bit torn. Do you think it matters? I’d love to hear your thoughts – please leave a comment.
On a final note, the people profiled on A&E and TLC are in extreme situations. Though it may be difficult to empathize with them, keep in mind that those homes didn’t become cluttered and overwhelming overnight. The process of clearing out will likely not happen overnight either. Chris said it best…
I feel like the kid that’s given the task to bail out a swimming pool with a bucket. I mean, you’re gonna get it done, but it’s gonna take a long time.~Chris, hoarder profiled on “Hoarding: Buried Alive”
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