I hope I am home from work in time to see these shows!! The older I get, the worse my "acquiring" habits become! I do not want to turn into this person, but I worry that I will, and that I will be a big burden on my own children either as I get older and have too much to take care of, or if they are left to clean up after my death. I’m not sure why I have such a hard time disposing of items, it’s like they are “alive” to me or something. I would love to get inside the brain and study why a certain number of us feel this way. I don't know if it comes from a childhood of having nothing, or maybe the fact that I never had to get rid of anything. Whatever items I did own were always passed down to others or mother got rid of them with out asking or telling. Who knows?

For information on Hoarding Syndrome I would suggest going on the ocfoundation web site and finding the hoarding section. Also the leading researchers on the disorder, Randy Frost and Gail Steketee have an excellent book out called " Buried in Treasurers ".

James

I don't think you missed it--- it's scheduled for the 15th and 16th, I believe.

I want to see the shows because I have relatives with some of these issues. It's supposed to be rooted in fear of not having enough, and/or a need to shield oneself with "things". One of my family members has stacks and stacks of catalogs and magazines on the floor and in every chair. Personally, I don't get it. I am not a neatnik but living like that would drive me nuts. I try to appeal to logic ("Its a tripping hazard and a fire hazard"), and offer to help clean up, but it doesn't seem to register.

My mom has a serious problem with hoarding but doesn't see it as a problem. She is as bad as the person (appears to be) on the show tomorrow. You can not walk through her house any longer - there are only small trails throughout. And this is a woman who used to be an immaculate housekeeper. She started getting like this about 10 years ago and took a real turn for the worse after my dad died. The mess has filled her house, garage and now her patio. Our family is suffering because of it. We can no longer go "home" to the house we were raised in - there's no place to sit down anymore. Our kids (her grandkids) don't like to go there anymore. It's awful and it's our families dirty little secret. We are a well-known and well-respected family in our community. If people only knew. . .

Have you looked into having her evaluated b a medical professional? It's more than just going in to throw away stuff....as it is never as simple as that.

I just watched the video where the son returns home. I know EXACTLY how he felt. I went to the warehouse sale. It was unbelievable! I walked in and it was so overwhelming that all I could do was walk around STUNNED looking at the junk (yes, it was 99% junk). I couldn't buy a thing. I kept thinking that one day, this could be me (I'm as guilty as the next woman--buying something just because it's on sale and maybe I'll use it or gift it to someone--especially craft materials). I felt that if I bought something I'd be contributing to my own downward spiral. After walking between each row of tables with piles and piles of junk just dumped on them and the full boxes of junk still under each table, I took my empty bag (it was a 'fill your bag for $20', with 'bluelight' specials "for the next 15 minutes, fill a bag with craft materials for $1") back to the front and just left. I then sent everyone I know to check it out. You see this on TV, but to walk among it is awe-inspiring. I was literally in shock at the magnitude of stuff this woman had amassed. I'm looking forward to the show, and I really hope her disease is treatable for the long term.

Wow. I'm really astounded to realize this could be me in a few years. I am well on my way and didn't even realize it. Now it's how to turn it around. I am going to work on it. I don't want to see this happen. It is overwhelming. I'm going to start by buying "Buried in Treasures." I do throw out stuff I don't think I'll use again. I'm a crafter and will keep anything that I think I'll use in the future even if I have no idea how or when. I also buy stuff becuase it's on sale and I get a junkie high from a good deal. I probably need help but have no money to get get it. Thank you for opening my eyes to even see I have a problem. That is the beginning of change!