If you have a good friend or a family member who struggles with hoarding, it can be very challenging both emotionally and practically for them and for others around them. Hoarding tends to be linked to deep issues and is associated with other mental health disorders; it is not just a simple matter of being untidy. Hoarding that is left unchecked can cause a range of problems both personally, mentally and also for the person’s safety, so it is important to try to encourage the person to seek help for their hoarding.
Hoarders have trouble getting rid of particular items and it can vary which items these might be. Unlike someone who is a collector and might have an interest in collecting certain things, with hoarders it doesn’t matter whether the items are of any actual value, and the hoard will start to encroach on their home and lifestyle, eventually making their homes virtually unusable with hoards of things being stored in every available space.
Of course, this behaviour then becomes very dangerous. With exits blocked and lots of tripping hazards, an inability to clean the property correctly leading to inevitable hygiene issues and the risk of a fire starting it can have serious consequences. Hoarding can also negatively impact neighbours, as it may attract vermin and bad odours that affect them too. In the most extreme of cases, a local authority may have to intervene.
Approaching a hoarder is something that needs to be done with empathy, care and consideration. In order for them to tackle this issue it is important that you don’t criticise them as this can cause them to isolate themselves further.
Start with Compassion and Patience
The first and most important step in helping is to approach the situation with empathy. Hoarding often stems from trauma, loss, or mental health struggles. Be careful not to criticise or shame your relatives, as this can make them feel defensive or more isolated.
The mental health side of these behaviours needs to be dealt with by a professional. Find a qualified counsellor who has experience of people struggling with hoarding who will be able to help them to address these issues.
You can also help them practically to tackle the clutter. This often needs to be done gradually, but with so much to get rid of it makes sense to hire a skip from somewhere like this Swansea skip hire company pendragonskiphire.co.uk/swansea-skip-hire/ to get rid of large amounts of rubbish. Once it is all cleared, it is crucial that the person continues to receive support to prevent them from relapsing.
