The popular new tv show on A&E cable tv network, as well as the film Grey Gardens and the book Ghosty Men: The Strange but True Story of the Collyer Brothers and My Uncle Arthur, New York's Greatest Hoarders have combined to create an interest in homeowners taking a look into the mirrors of their own homes. When do typical household piles of junk mail and laundry become piles of trash and furniture that require the condemnation of a home?
Definition of Hoarding
What is hoarding? It's defined on the A&E show as “a mental disorder marked by an obsessive need to collect things, even if the items are worthless, hazardous or unsanitary.” Although most homes are guilty of varying levels of clutter as a result of day-to-day mail, clothing, and other household items, few reach the level of hoarding depicted on the television series. In fact, many homeowners, though feeling sympathetic towards those whose cases are depicted, feel better about their own homes after watching the show.
When Is Intervention Necessary?
Seeking help can happen on many levels. Typical homeowners would benefit from many of the "Get Organized" services available for streamlining a home's contents. It is when the clutter begins to take over and a homeowner is out of control (especially with regard to emotional attachments to items) that other professional help may be necessary. The website disposophobia.com is dedicated to the disorder of disposophobia (fear of disposing of anything) and to helping people get assistance for their issues and take back control over their belongings.
Help Yourself Declutter
Many websites and books are dedicated to helping homeowners organize and declutter their surroundings. Homeowners can check book websites, libraries or search engines to find organizations and businesses whose missions are to help organize. One popular online site is www.theflylady.net, a helpful site in which "The Fly Lady" helps individuals clean their homes through her 'zone' system. Her simple yet effective program is designed to encourage individuals to evaluate and approach different areas of their homes at separate yet brief times, resulting after about a month in a more organized and clean home.
Whether a homeowner is experiencing minor issues with keeping rooms and belongings organized or has reached a level of need as great as those seen on the tv show "Hoarders," there is help available. The show has brought attention to the issue and will hopefully enable many to get the professional help they need.
Mary McCarthy - Mary T. McCarthy is the blogger at pajamasandcoffee.com and Editor of Chesapeake Family magazine.
