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Five Tips for Helping a Loved One with Hoarding Disorder

Five Tips for Helping a Loved One with Hoarding Disorder

Hoarding is relatively rare, affecting about 2 to 5 percent of the population. However, this condition can be very debilitating and dangerous. It can lead to unsanitary living conditions: rotten food, dead animals, animal urine and faces, mold growth, structural damage, rodents, other pests, and fire hazards are just a few examples of the dangers that hoarding situations represent. Here are five tips for helping a loved one with Hoarding Disorder.

A person who suffers from Hoarding Disorder (HD) has trouble getting rid of or parting with items for fear of losing them. Even if the objects are useless or dangerous, a person affected by hoarding dreads the idea of separating from their things. Hoarding is a mental illness that can cause immense amounts of stress and accumulation of clutter in a person's home. Symptoms include excessive acquisition of items, difficulty discarding items, and significant distress or impairment in daily functioning due to hoarding behavior.

Educate Yourself About Hoarding Disorder

Hoarding is a mental health condition that affects millions of people. The best way to start helping a loved one with Hoarding Disorder is by educating yourself about the condition so you can participate in any hoarding cleanup. Many resources are available online and in libraries to help you learn more about HD.

The American Psychiatric Association is a great place to start. They have various resources, including information on hoarding, treatments, and support groups. Another good resource is the International OCD Foundation. This organization offers online resources, educational materials, and support groups for people affected by hoarding.

If you want to understand better what a hoarder is going through, try to put yourself in their shoes. Imagine how you would feel if you were afraid of throwing away things. Would you be able to part with items that have sentimental value, even if you don't need them?

Be Patient and Understanding

Try to have patience and compassion when discussing hoarding with your loved one. It's important to remember that this is a mental health condition, not a choice, and people who suffer from hoarding cannot simply "snap out of it." It's a long process, especially considering that not everyone develops HD for the same reasons.

Be supportive and understanding, and let the individual know that you are there to help them accomplish peace of mind. Offer encouragement and praise when a hoarder makes progress.

It's important to have realistic expectations when carrying out a hoarding cleanup. This is a long-term condition that will likely require professional help. Don't expect hoarders to clear out their houses overnight. The goal should be to help them accomplish small, gradual changes.

Create a Safe and Supportive Environment and Avoid Judgment

It can be difficult for hoarders to part from their possessions, especially if they are afraid of losing them. Creating a safe and supportive environment can help your hoarders feel more comfortable discussing the condition and working on a hoarding cleanup process. Start by talking to the individual about hoarding in a non-judgmental way. It's important to avoid using shaming language.

Helping a Loved one with Hoarding Disorder by encouraging professional help

Suppose a friend or family member is hoarding to the point where it's affecting their daily life and causing them distress. In that case, you should know that there are many treatments available for HD. With the help of a professional, they can learn to manage their condition and live a healthier life. Many people who suffer from hoarding can benefit from cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).

What is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy?

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy is a psychological treatment that helps people change their thoughts and behaviors. CBT has been proven to be an effective treatment for people dealing with HD, and it can help hoarders learn how to manage this condition.

CBT helps people change the thoughts and behaviors that contribute to hoarding. It can help them learn how to properly address the hoarding problem, organize their property, and deal with stressful situations healthily.

Support Groups for Hoarding

There are many support groups available for people affected by HD. These groups provide a safe and supportive environment where people can share their experiences and learn from each other. Many of these groups are facilitated by professionals, such as therapists or social workers.

If you are looking for a support group for hoarding, we can help connect you with one. If you or someone you know may be feeling overwhelmed and needs help with hoarding cleanup, Bio-One specialists will be there to assist you.

Other Treatments & Medication for HD

There is no specific medication for HD, but medications can be prescribed to help manage symptoms of other similar health conditions, such as anxiety and depression. It is important to note that hoarding is not the same as these conditions. The diagnosis from professionals is crucial to choosing the right path for the individual who might be dealing with a mental disorder.

Many resources are available online to help hoarders find the proper treatment for their needs. If you think someone might benefit from treatment, encourage them to seek a therapist or psychiatrist specializing in HD.

Always Be Honest with Your Doctor

If someone you know is struggling with hoarding, talk to their doctor about whether any of these medications might be right for them. Medication alone is not likely to be enough to help a person with HD, but it can be used in combination with other treatments, such as CBT.

Help your Loved One Declutter Their Home

For a successful hoarding cleanup, help is always necessary. Making a hoarder's home a safe space again in a timely manner is a challenge everyone trying to help needs to understand.  This means keeping their living space clear of clutter and ensuring no fire hazards.

Here are a few tips for helping a hoarder clean their home from garbage, trash, and junk:

  • Start small. Don' try to clear out the entire house at once. Instead, begin with one room or even one corner of a room.
  • Set realistic goals. Hoarders may not be able to get rid of all of their things but they may be able to reduce the accumulation of clutter in their house.
  • Create a system. Create a hoarding cleanup strategy for organizing belongings and successfully address the problem. This could involve labeling storage boxes or using color-coded hangers.
  • Let go of perfection. The goal is to make progress, not to have a perfect home.

How Bio-One assists in helping a loved one with Hoarding Disorder

It can be difficult to get a hoarder to part with their possessions. They may see these items as valuable, even if they are no longer usable, and throwing them away can be a very emotionally charged experience. You want to help someone you care about with a hoarding situation, but you may not know how.

One option is to contact a professional hoarding cleanup company like Bio-One. We specialize in hoarding cleanup services for victims and families who feel overwhelmed and don't know how to face a cleanup process.

Hoarding situations can be dangerous. We help clients clear out their homes, and get rid of the items that they no longer need. We understand the challenges and multiple hazardous situations hoarders' homes represent. That's why our team of professional cleaners works closely with each client to make sure that their needs are met.

If you are concerned about helping someone with hoarding cleanup, contact Bio-One of Chula Vista today. We can help them restore their property from any hoarding situation, no matter how extreme or difficult it might seem.

If you or your loved one are struggling, know that you are not alone.
If you or your loved one are struggling, know that you are not alone.

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