Hoarding
Compulsive hoarding is a chronic illness with no known cure. A variety of interventions/techniques are necessary for treatment. Family members and friends need to be supportive while their loved one seeks help. Always obtain consent from a hoarder before discarding items.
What are the signs of compulsive hoarding?
- Difficulty getting rid of items
- A large amount of clutter in office, home, vehicle, and other spaces, make it difficult to move around or use room for intended purposes.
- Unable to locate important items due to clutter.
- Feeling overwhelmed by the volume of possessions.
- Unable to stop bringing home more things or pets.
- Not having family and friends over due to home's messiness.
- Refusing to let in repair people
Hoarding is not caused by:
- Laziness
- Lack of responsibility
- Lack of intelligence
- Low standards
A person who hoards....
- has a dyfunctional belief about items
- has exaggerated emotional attachments to possessions
- has difficulty with organization
- has poor insight into their behavior
- may have experienced a significant trauma
- may have inherited the disorder
- often has other mental health issues
Resources
Government Agencies
Law Enforcement
- Waukesha County Dispatch - (262) 446-5070
