Originally Posted by Nancy1999 (Post 3795502)

There are several TV programs about hoarding and animal hoarding. I think it would be great to talk about this because it affects so many people, especially women. Hoarding always occurs after a significant loss, and it’s not the person’s fault, they cannot help what they are doing and it’s only because they are suffering extreme depression and loss. This depression, in turn, keeps them from getting a real handle on the situation. Also, because have gotten use to the smells and inconvenience of their environment, they really don’t see it for what it is, but they do feel great shame and this prevents them from letting people be close to them. They use material possessions to build walls, in order, to protect themselves from being hurt. It’s kind of like collecting gone wild! They probably were shamed as children as a means of discipline and this isn’t a good way to discipline children because it produces feelings of worthlessness, yet we always want to return to a familiar feeling, especially after a significant loss, so we manage to produce that feeling in ourselves. Another thing, I learned from watching the program is that many hoarders are perfectionists! Hard to believe, but because they have such high standards and can’t get anything perfect, they have given up, and also, what a great way to shame themselves.

I know I have a little problem with hoarding it’s very difficult for me to toss out something I think will be usable in the future, also it was very hard for me to get rid of my diseased parents’ things, even though I didn’t want them, there definitely was an emotion attached to certain items. I had to tell myself giving up the item wasn't giving up the memory. I think the program has actually helped me in dealing with my problem and has reduced the anxiety I experience when I have to get rid of something.

Originally Posted by Taryn0405 (Post 3795527)

..I LOVE HOW CLEAN IS YOUR HOUSE!!!!

I love Kim! She cracks me up! She's the blonde right???
Oh my goodness, loved, loved, loved that show!

Originally Posted by chachi (Post 3795581)

The animal hording is sad because alot of times people get caught into it after rescuing animals it just gets out of control. Also what is too many animals for one person may not bed for another. For example I have 5 cats and 2 dogs and that could be considered hoarding if you are unable to clean up after and take care of that many. I didnt choose to have that many but I had a cat have kittens. Anyway they are all spayed now so no more cats

Originally Posted by QuickSilver (Post 3795701)

That's very interesting! It's hard to imagine someone seeking out an unpleasant feeling, but that makes a lot of sense.

I'm glad that you feel the show has helped you. Sometimes I think those shows encourage voyeurism, and I feel vaguely guilty about watching them. It's nice to know that that it's affecting viewers positively as well.

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom (Post 3795792)

I've ended up catching this show a few times. Usually I just watch it for 10-15 mins or so. The other night, I caught the whole thing. It was pretty heartbreaking. The woman who hoarded was actually a psychologist, but she couldn't step outside herself and see her own symptoms. She was prob desensitized over time. There were bugs everywhere....worst I've seen when I've caught parts of this show.

It seems like so many times, the hoarding is triggered by a major loss or a death. I remember hearing that hoarding is one of the toughest things to treat/heal...but I can't remember why they said that. Maybe bc the disorder doesn't have as many treatment options (ie, like there are many treatment options for substances)...?

The one I caught a couple weeks ago (about 15mins of it) actually showed....omg this is horrible...3 dead cats who had been trapped in some of the piles of stuff. It appears they got trapped and starved there. That was too much for me to see :(.

Originally Posted by peachbongi (Post 3795985)

I've watched several episodes and had to give them up because I would have bad dreams of mice running everywhere. I think because the last episode I watched was about a lady who had tons of mice in her house literally hundreds.

My DH noticed every time I would watch an episode the next day I would start throwing stuff away and cleaning out cabinets. Maybe I have hoarderphobia? :confused: Is there a such thing?

My heart breaks for each and everyone of them.

Originally Posted by peachbongi (Post 3795985)

I've watched several episodes and had to give them up because I would have bad dreams of mice running everywhere. I think because the last episode I watched was about a lady who had tons of mice in her house literally hundreds.

My DH noticed every time I would watch an episode the next day I would start throwing stuff away and cleaning out cabinets. Maybe I have hoarderphobia? :confused: Is there a such thing?

My heart breaks for each and everyone of them.