Sunday, November 21, 2010

Hoarders just can’t let go of their stuff

By: Vicki Gerdes

With the advent of reality television series like “Hoarders” and “Hoarding: Buried Alive,” public attention has become sharply focused on a form of compulsive behavior that can, if left untreated, jeopardize not only a person’s livelihood and financial standing, but also their interpersonal relationships and even their health.

In the past, a house being taken over by clutter — pile after pile of newspapers stretching up to the ceiling, stacks of books squeezed into every available nook and cranny, empty Cool Whip containers and jelly jars taking up most of the kitchen cupboard and counter space — was often dismissed as lazy housekeeping or eccentricity.

More and more, however, compulsive hoarding is being recognized for what it is: a mental disorder that can become a serious illness if allowed to continue unchecked..." More

No comments: