Hoarding in Older Adults - Research on Aging

[@neo5kali]

Children and teenagers need to be taught life skills, and stuff like cleaning up, organizing, acquisition, decluttering, budgeting needs to be taught. Most people are ill-equipped to deal with basic stuff. But later in life, these basic skills are critical to doing better in life.

[@finehomemadewine]

Deffo., but with hoarders, the problem lies elsewhere. There are mothers who had everything spick and speck till they had small kids but then something happened and they ended up like this.

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

Yeah, um, why do it if you're rich and have maids for each of your mostly vacant houses?

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

@@finehomemadewine How do you know it's the mother? Why should she have to do everything? Lol

[@finehomemadewine]

​@@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823 How do I know it is mothers in my example? Well, unless the ladies I mention here are fathers in very convincing drag... I just mentioned that example in reaction to Anonymous saying ppl should be taught house-keeping when young - I know examples of ppl who knew how to lead household very well and ´d done everything right but when kids left and they stayed alone they do not bother to do it for themselves. It is called "empty nest syndrome". Or sometimes is hoarding reaction to some trauma. Not just lack of house-keeping lessons anyway.

[@Altered4n892t]

My husband’s family has generations of hoarders. One of our two children has argued and fought all their life (from earliest age) about cleaning, sorting, getting rid of trash. As adults, that child is a hoarder. I’ve pushed through with my husband for over 45 years and kept our house clean, his hoard has been kept in the garage. But I’m done, I’m divorcing the dull minded hoarder. I think it’s genetic.

[@meloneemurray7547]

I wish this presentation had been available about 10 years ago. It may have helped gain insight into the mind of a relative of mine. Another factor that I have noticed with Senior hoarders is that they lived during the depression & didn't have much to eat, were poor, etc. They hoard the things & food they lacked during that time. Excellent, informative video. Thank you!

[@meloneemurray7547]

***** There is indeed evidence that supports this theory. In addition, I knew of many hoarders that grew up in the depression era and saved EVERYTHING. Even their urine & fecal matter. I really believe it was due to a habit of saving and also many of these people do not have running water. I suggest you watch the program "Hoarders: Buried Alive" on A&E in order to gain better insight. If I hadn't seen it firsthand, I wouldn't have believed it.

[@meloneemurray7547]

Carol T. I agree with you.

[@sensate444]

angela offer well, their actual brain structure is changed. It is a disorder related to OCD which has an accompanying difference in the caudate nuclei of their brains. It is a true biologically based disorder, and medicine is often the only thing that works. What better suggestion do you have to treat it?

[@Tina06019]

My parents held onto things that reminded them of when they were younger, stronger, and happier.

[@IndianOutlaw1870]

My Italian grandparents went through the Great Depression but they weren't hoarders. They canned food, had a large garden, and stored extra pasta in their "cellar." But it was more an emergency stash than a hoard. They lived very simply and bought mostly essentials.

[@vittorioarcangelo2048]

This practically ruined our family. Untold suffering for decades.

[@janicewolk357]

Dr. Ayers is a very empathetic person. Good job

[@hilaryc3203]

My mother was the exact opposite. She wanted to get rid of things, clear it all out. I had to actually step in and say no, don't throw that out. Drove me bonkers.

[@meloneemurray7547]

Ironic thing is, my relative's son that grew up in her home full to the brim of hoarded materials, grew up to be the exact opposite. He throws away everything to the point of wastefulness.

[@hilaryc3203]

Melonee Murray That's a shame, he needs a balance. I know people who live to shop and they shop all year long and then have a garage sale in the summer. lol..that makes NO sense at all.

[@australiaclivia]

+Hilary C Yeah well DSM now has Hoarding Disorder, and I bet it has Throw Away Disorder............... everything is apparently a disorder......... even eating has about three disorders one in now "Binge Eating"" DSM is just a big drug advertising guide for pharma, it is absurd, ridiculous. DSM lost any credibility years ago.................. they actually have a big paid for pharma seminar in some exotic location (with all the family, all paid for), and the psychs vote on what to call the next disorder.............. APA is paid for 80% by big Pharma, so the all the members and their $8,000 freebies each per year, besides their free holidays (seminar?), and of course the extra bribes, they will list anything you want for a payment.....................

[@Beanieweenieable]

This is how my mother is also! Constantly getting rid of things. Paring down or rotating only favorites…NEVER EXCESS OF ANYTHING!

[@thedarci1368]

When one watches these "Hoarding" shows it breaks your heart. Yes some do have a lot of garbage and bad stuff but not all of them. Some it actually is an accumulation of things that started with something major that happened in their lives such as loss of a loved one or loved ones and not dealing with that grief that also spirals into depression and grief not dealt with. Then gets to a point to of being so totally overwhelmed and to a point where they cannot deal with it on their own but they are ashamed and nowhere to turn for help. They already feel ashamed, isolated and devalued and then someone comes in and gets angry with them and wants to just throw everything away at once which causes the desperation, and feelings of being overwhelmed even more strong and also feeling threatened then. I know that it is time consuming but why can they not treat them with anger and rushing them and instead tell them that yes some of their things do have value and perhaps suggest that someone that has lost their home due to fires, etc. or domestic abuse and needs to start a new place to live could use these things of value to better their lives thereby letting them know that their things are not devalued and neither are they. I think they would more likely turn lose of more things if they thought that some of their things are actually going somewhere to help someone else in need.

[@1chienandalou]

The Darci 13 Thank you for this thoughtful comment, therefore such negative portrayals of this disorder that I feel it’s really needed to show some compassion.

[@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823]

Truth us that once it's full of cat, dog rodent waste and damage, you're done. A washing machine is only going to get you so far. Mold and mildew will come back. Even on metal. I've seen it. If you want things, either use them or give them to someone who will. Sooner over later

[@ireneb3433]

@@windsofmarchjourneyperrytr2823 ... very hard to get rid of rodent smell from even vinyl/plastic things

[@missbeaussie]

Interesting about the perfection, she explained it differently to how I experience it. For me it's more that looking at a large mess is less stressful than having a perfectly clean space because in a perfectly clean space I notice and obssess over every imperfection.

[@alinaarachnaphobic]

That is totally insane I'm so sorry you deal with this. Please, try and think how badly this effects your loved ones!!!

[@rosemarywhitehead438]

Seems to be similar to addictive behavior...the thrill of acquiring, balanced with the shame of lack of control. We can look at 'why the pain' rather than 'why the addiction'. Then, we can change.

[@turtleanton6539]

Yes

[@carolbenson6524]

Strange...now that I'm getting older I find myself getting rid of things...if I haven't used it in the past year I toss it or donate it. I hate clutter!!

[@turtleanton6539]

Yes indeed

[@gyongyipedersen9264]

You are a very lucky person. But the main reasons for hoarding (which se didn specify) are: 1. EMOTIONAL trauma 2. Lonelyness (they are lacking all those happiness HORMONES). 3. The feeling of being unsupported. People's feeling lonely and unsupported, will find joy in ITEMS. It's they only way of joy to find and collect items. A happy person surrounded by supporting family and many friends will NEVER EVER became hoarders!!!

[@retroguyretail1976]

my grandmothers hoarding is a result of buying too much crap off qvc and hsn it was awful just buying tons of stuff you don't even use. after her uti last summer,I had to clean inside her house once she got in the nursing home. you don't even know how much trash I threw out how many bags of clothes I loaded in a uhaul van just to take stuff to donate it was easily over 40 to 50 bags of clothes. it was very overwhelming and I still have more to throw out and donate to goodwill. I tried throwing out boxes she got mad with me because the address would be exposed and her new packages wouldn't arrive.I have to convince her I would mark it off with a sharpie it was embarrassing if someone came to the house. she wouldn't even fix the toilet after the handle broke so she had 3 buckets of fecal water sitting in a bucket when it was about to overflow she got angry with me being I couldn't do anything because I couldn't take off work on a major holiday a day later I got a plumber to come and fix it

[@jburgett45]

Please don’t refer to your grandma’s board as “crap” Your judgmental words is the very reason why hoarders feel so much shame and humiliation. The bulk of your comments show that you resented helping her out-maybe you could find some empathy for her?

[@avanellehansen4525]

Much of my anxiety is about the mess I will leave for my family after I die

[@Altered4n892t]

It’s mental illness and I haven’t the strength physically or emotionally to be around these people any longer.

[@nikkijubilant]

People loving things more than health space people or self-respect could be seen as a symptom of a larger problem: materialism and overconsumption coupled with alienation and a competitive achievement and thus collecting trophies mentality. Lots more needs to change than just the individual.

[@fengjingliang5152]

It is never too late to learn about hoarding disorder. Everyone can help their loved ones who struggle with the problem.

[@TheJeanette53]

Great presentation. It’s going to help me a lot as I have a person near me who needs this help because of an impending move. Also some of the comments below have some useful ideas. Thanks guys.

[@CheriBomzArt]

Suffered with this. Started as OCD. Other fam. Members also have this. Making progress on my own...slowly. Helps to find a place to donate. Finding ways to let go...fits me to a T. Ready to change...

[@finehomemadewine]

Good for You. How are You progressing? Is lockdown helping or the right opposite?

[@deadmanswife3625]

@@finehomemadewine no answer buried in stuff just kidding

[@alinaarachnaphobic]

Please accept help. Your loved ones want to help you. You don't need all these THINGS!!

[@rudygeorgiamulesandcountry1594]

Very well done and highly accurate in my opinion.

[@eohaver2]

Yay. More cool things coming at me as I slide into my murky golden years.

[@prettybullet7728]

Yeah...I can't wait.

[@LadyCoyKoi]

I'm looking forward to wearing diapers.

[@eohaver2]

+Yusiley Sierra you don't have to wait. You can just start wearing them early and be the Envy of all your friends.

[@LadyCoyKoi]

eohaver2 LOL You are right. Plus they're coupons and specials for the young adult diapers. ^_^

[@eohaver2]

Coupons?? I love coupons. I guess young old people diapers would suit me just fine, especially if I ever meet someone and he likes long romantic walks. Bwahahaha!!!!

[@kiritekir7548]

My entire family tree on my dad's side does this. We all show signs of anxiety and perfectionism too. They deny it all, naturally.

[@moirallarian]

My familiy tree on dads side too, only my fathers eldest sister knows about her problem went to a theraphy but still struggles in her mid 80s, my brothers and I also struggle, but we two youngest siblings try to fight our way out of it.

[@Altered4n892t]

My husband has generations of hoarders, his siblings could be on the hoarder tv show, you cannot kick the door open in one of his brother’s house. It’s absolutely beyond understanding for his educated, wealthy…. Somehow Aspergers type people. This video has helped me to feel better about beginning divorce after 45 years. I’m done with this insanity

[@ho-bo-hemian]

At 12:23, she says that she doesn't see hoarders getting over it. She sees it as an ongoing, chronic condition. And she says that this is different from other psychiatric illnesses like depression and other anxiety disorders, which come and go during different phases of life, while hoarding stays. That's what she says. But aren't there other psychiatric disorders that are equally persistent? For example, addictions are managed but not completely cured. Maybe hoarders are addicted to shopping, to the hunt, or addicted to their possessions, to owning a wide array of choices. Maybe hoarding should be treated with a 12-step program and a sponsor. Or maybe hoarding is like a Personality disorder. Personality disorders are lifelong patterns of limited ways of relating to other people. Maybe hoarding is like that, but in relation to things instead of people.

[@ShannaFarley]

I was raised by a hoarder. It's an addiction similar to being addicted to alcohol or gambling. The addiction is so great they can't properly function. Sad thing is it's not based on one obvious action like going to a liquor store or going to a casino, so it's hard to manage. :/

[@LoveMusic-pd5iz]

I think poverty, either in the past or current, can lead to hoarding...the thought is "I'd never be able to replace this".

[@TrailWalker03]

Very comprehensive. Thanks for posting!

[@joyhandy74]

My Grandmother rips on my Mom for saving stuff too much, but will not have a problem sending my Mom broken applances, like the dead printer, because Grandmother knows mom will archive it instead of tossing it out. So then grandmother doesn't have to feel bad about dumping something that could maybe be fixed, yet never gets fixed, but stays in the pile of the second bedroom that is full to the roof and to the door, can't even get in it. Pisses me off. Quit sending stuff to be mothballed for petesake.

[@australiaclivia]

+Joy Handy Is your mum on antidepressants? Hoarding is a side effect of the pills.

[@vermilliongecko]

+angela offer No it's not.

[@GymClubHouse]

grandma and ma will DIE one day. as in disappear from the earth. you cannot ever hold onto objects in life. use them and move on. too bad they are too dumb to realize this basic fact of life. something i knew as a child without even having to be taught. we are only here for a limited time.

[@joyhandy74]

guest I'm with you on that. In fact when I start feeling like I am getting too much stuff, I begin to thin it out. I like to collect certain things, ie. porcelain dolls and minions, but when I get too much of random dust catchers or get bored with some of my clothes and whatnot, I start donating to Goodwill or people I know that need stuff. I tend to thin out my belongings 2 or 3 times a year because I have a thrift store addiction lol. Neighbor kids love my thinning out times lol.

[@alexjones9413]

Can you send me your evidence I'm interested because my moms a hoarder and shes on anti depressents

[@peterhubbs8258]

Very informative. Well done.

[@LeslieMarieF.]

Very informative.

[@ShawnPlusOne]

Since my dad has become ill he has become a serious hoarder especially with old papers and bills. It's so sad to see him live this way I try to help him and talk gently with kindness but he does not want me to clean up or organize his stuff. His den is so dirty and it stinks bad. I'm at my wits end.

[@hilaryc3203]

My mom didn't have a hoarder problem, but there were other issues as she aged and some dementia started to settle in, and I tried it your way as well and it didn't work. However, what I found worked was to tell her how it made me feel. How what she was doing became very difficult for and what it was putting me through emotionally. I even padded it by telling her that my worry over the situation was interfering with my life, my happiness and that was what did the trick. Then her parental instinct kicked in and she wanted to make it better for me and I was able to accomplish things. You could try that.

[@acajudi100]

take him to Las Vegas, and clean up once he is out of the house.

[@acajudi100]

pretend someone broke in and stole the missing stuff. throw stuff around, like there was a breakin..lol

[@1chienandalou]

If you care about your relationship with your father, please do not follow the irrational and harmful advice On KZbin and work with a professional. I can’t believe these people are giving such awful advice as getting rid of your father’s stuff. It’s a pity people equate hoarding with just being a slob or something that one can fix by addressing the hoard. If you go behind the hoarders back, what you will get rid of is their trust. There’s a reason this behavior is occurring and that is what needs to be addressed, not the stuff. Hope your father is doing better and if not, I hope you consider trying to get him medical help. Please don’t try to address it yourself, is that tends to lead to more disappointment. Any short term gains are usually temporary.

[@janedoh1648]

@@1chienandalou all of what you mentioned wouldn’t work with my dad at all. He would be furious if I tried to bring a psychiatrist to the house. He becomes irate, mean/cruel if you mention anything about his hoarding. He’s never trusted any of us to begin with. He would constantly lose things and blame us for moving them when cleaning or using them and not putting back. I can’t tell you how many duplicates of tools he’s bought because he couldn’t find where he left the last one he used because he couldn’t remember where he left it. Scissors. We must’ve bought a thousand over the years. Still randomly find them. It’s weird because he always talks about the value of objects and gets mad if anyone uses his stuff but he would let all his tools rust. Like leave extension cords and expensive tools outside. I don’t get it. I resent my dad and he could care less. I can’t wait til he dies so I can rent several large dumpsters and throw all his shit out and piss on it.

[@luna_guardee9139]

It’s the worse when you’re the one keeping things in order and someone in your family that was suppose to educate you in life has had this problem ~ growing up in this ain’t fun,

[@jannertfol]

I'm in my mid-70s now. I'm not a hoarder, my house is functioning well, people come over, I have no problem doing things I need to do, I keep it clean, everything 'works' as it should, etc. I routinely throw away any food that has gone off, routinely go through medicine drawers and discard out of date medications, etc. I throw junk mail in the bin the second it enters the house, and clear out my filing cabinet routinely, getting rid of old bills, etc. I recently disposed of my old computer and paraphernalia, and gave most of my art supplies which I no longer use to a couple of friends who were delighted to get them. However, I've found myself lately (the last 10 years, maybe) worrying that I won't be able to replace small appliances and other important items that wear out. When I go to replace them, hey ho, that kind of thing isn't made any more, etc. So I've found myself lately buying two of anything I like, while these things are still available. The almost instant obsolescence of just about everything these days, I reckon, can trigger a tendency to over-accumulate. So far, this hasn't taken over my life at all, but I do feel there is a possibility that it might get out of hand. I also worry that I can't get rid of things very easily. Not because I want to keep the stuff, but because where do I dispose of it? I'm perfectly happy to have a clear-out and see the back of things I don't need or want any more. But because my husband and I don't have a car, it's difficult to dispose of things that are still good ...even things like CDs and DVDs that we don't watch or listen to any more. We did get rid of 22 boxes of books a while back, to clear out our 8 bookcases, because a book re-seller company was willing to come and collect them. However, that company no longer does that sort of thing. (I'm so happy to use Kindle, so I can keep reading new stuff without accumulating it.) It is wasteful to throw perfectly good items in the trash-which I have actually found myself doing, on occasion, simply because I haven't the means to get them to a charity shop. Where I live (Scotland) there are no 'yard sales,' so that's not an option. These are the kinds of issues that can bedevil an older person. And yes, if you've lived in the same home for many years (my husband moved to this house when he was 14 years old, and he's now 78. I moved here when we got married nearly 40 years ago) things do accumulate. What I wish is that I could periodically pile all the 'usable' stuff I no longer want in one place, and then somebody would come and collect it and take it to a good home. (Dishes, clothing-although I've kept on top of that pretty well-materials for hobbies I no longer engage in, CDs, DVDs, etc. Christmas decorations I no longer use, etc.) I would feel so much more spry if I had less stuff and more space. I am in good health and can still get around fairly well (although my husband struggles to) but for how much longer? I wonder if other older people would benefit from this kind of outside help in disposing of things BEFORE it begins to look like they are becoming hoarders.

[@LadyCoyKoi]

I'm with Joy Handy. I have people who tell me I have a lot of stuff. However, I'm also told that I am one of the most organized and well stocked person they had ever met. Also like Joy Handy, I too have limited space, especially after the flood. I was forced to move back with my parents, so my stuff, which fitted well in a two bedroom home, is now all crammed in a 12 by 15 feet room. You don't feel claustrophobic, because I organized the stuff well enough on the shelves and most of the stuff are in bins. I also have a tiny storage unit outside with three large bins filled with my books, school supplies for work, and paintings. I hope to someday to get my own place again. My 4ft by 10ft closet is way too small for the things that were once in the livingroom and sewing/costume room of the old home. :) Anyways I noticed that many of these hoarders have really huge homes. All of my stuff would fit comfortably and nicely in just one of their rooms, and still have room to include a new sofa and book shelves. O_O I feel so left out, others are obsessive with bigger homes, yet here I am thinking a 30 by 30 home is a good size for me and a family. I like the closeness that tiny homes gives. Forces one to connect with everyone and everything. :) Mansions look and feel lonely and cold. :( Thank you for sharing this video. I love studies made about how elderly live. So little information about that demographic, yet we all end up down that road. There are many studies on younger people, but rarely do we get to know the aging population. I think that is interesting and important to know about. Thank you again.

[@avanellehansen4525]

Yes. Creative, right brain dominant people. Artists, writers, thespians, etc

[@dianekrstulovich1582]

Photograph their precious stuff Journal the stories Assemble a memory album to keep!

[@vmobile890]

I’m starting that with my level one hoarding . Gathering old projects in boxes for ebay Craigs List and OfferUp . taking pictures for digital album also Walmart I what regular photos in a album . Then ready to sell at lower than the same item as already on ebay . Someone is selling similar and same I can sell for less . I also have a plan to locate ebay seller close to buy in bulk . Trying to help family because we are all seniors and if someone loves their family don’t leave them with STRESS . Already have funeral paid for now declutter my life to enjoy to 90 .

[@peggyt1243]

Most older adults lived through the depression in the 1930s. They had nothing and worked hard to acquire things. In their golden years they cannot part with stuff because 1. they might need it, 2. it can be fixed 3. they do not want to waste things because "waste not, want not". During the depression, people reused everything.

[@joyhandy74]

yeah my mom has the issue that "this can be used for", or " someone could use this". she saves endlessly yet lives so isolated by choice that there isn't much chance of helping anyone with stuff. or she archive stuff when she finds interesting old stuff. she could just donate big to the thrift store so she has room to craft and have shelves for books and whatnot. I think her always being poor causes her to think quantity over quality makes her have something.

[@janetmcwilliams1053]

most people from the 30s are not alive...hoarding has a lot to do with grief

[@joyhandy74]

Janet Mc Williams My Mom was born in 56, but grew up with a mother that kept tossing stuff that mattered to her. I think that is the core of the issue that got her started. Plus she is very strong in the matter of not wasteing anything. Which is good until it takes over everything around you. Sometimes I think being surrounded by quantity vs. quality due to finances, gives her a measure of security and feeling useful.

[@peggyt1243]

I have acquaintances who are 85 years old so they were born in 1931. A deprived childhood for them means they keep, hoard, store, do not throw away.

[@KateLavy]

Exactly! My mom tossed stuff that was valuable to me when I was little. I putting my stuff neatly in a box and later she tossed them all into a plastic bag (some definitely got lost) when we moved to a different country. I was 9. Now I have hoarding tendencies but am trying to throw stuff out. As a teenager I would get really mad at her if she touch or misplaced my things, due to that incident, and could not get rid of anything. I am slowly improving myself by throwing something away everyday.

[@avanellehansen4525]

Yes! The clutter Is a SYMPTOM.

[@b.bailey8244]

I thought this was empathetic and sensitively done... I found this helpful in terms of treatment - at least they are not putting these people on drugs, know where to start working with them, and are doing cognitive behavioral therapy with them. Seems a good course to take.

[@theotherway1639]

The guided journal "Throw It Away" by Guru Notebooks is great for this. It's on amazon.

[@bitsinmyblood]

For sanity, watch this at 1.5 X speed. By the way, those are forward slashes.

[@TVyVan]

It became 1.75 x for me. 😄

[@void________]

Should also do applied behavior analysis or operant conditioning as treatment.

[@gc8024]

Because they lived thru the depression never throw away may need it later

[@kasspriscilla9350]

My mother is 86 she started hoarding around in her forties and then it progressed into the eighties and it is a toxic environment we try to get our help over the years she refuses we did everything we could even other people she's very controlling she has obsessive compulsive personality disorder And it's toxic level it's very hard to deal with her and all of us are affected by it's affected by it we don't know what to do we can only pray

[@vmobile890]

Try to reduce little at a time and let her know how stressful it will be on your family when family have to gather and go through her belongings . My mother died at 90 in Dec . We knew from the doctor almost to the week. In a few months it will be time to divide the belongings and some of the family very stressed a few want the same item .🤪

[@turtleanton6539]

Yes indeed

[@altaroberts5105]

I often do use what I keep for something later. Can take years, but it happens. And it happens that I throw things out or sell then - and then I find a use shortly after. Recycle bins help me. And my depression has never gone.

[@aussiesarahstrainsandmodel9699]

I don't think you have it all right there. I know hoarders and yes they have mental illness but their hoarding seems more like a symptom or side effect of a much deeper problem. Loose the focus on the stuff and treat the person. If they have depression thats very serious and they will use hoading as a way to self medicate in some cases none of the people I know have ever had treatment for depression, their isolated and have got stuck. The focus always seems to be on the symptoms instead of healing for the person from within. Im prone to hoarding behaviour when I am in a major depressive episode and the house will turn to shit very fast. But when my depression is back under control and I feel better I have a massive cleanup and sometimes people want to clean up and are too overwhelmed and don't know where to start the whole task seems so daunting and difficult they just don't do it and it causes more anxiety and so on. It's very complicated. If you take away what they are used to doing to feel better and don't address why they were doing it they will replace it or start again.

[@Autumn_Forest_]

Agreed! I'm SHOCKED at the narrow focus of this talk, and also at the speaker's totally annoying mouth smacking every 10 seconds.

[@1chienandalou]

I too am appalled at some comments. It seems like people are so eager to equate hoarding, a complex mental health disorder affecting millions, to being a slob or lazy. They seem to assume the hoarder should be able to control the situation, whereas it’s pretty clear from the situation that they couldn’t... Many hoarders are paralyzed by shame about their clutter or about their overspending or both, start to build up denial or isolate more and get more settled in their ways, which makes it even harder to fix it, which then isolate them more, on and on… I don’t know why people even don’t realize that judging hoarders harshly isn’t going to work the way telling a depressed person to just stop it, you should be smiling and have so much to be happy about. If that worked, mental health issues would not be so hard to resolve! I have seen people say hoarders should be burnt down with their houses. I have seen people say “well I had an abusive childhood and I can take the trash out, so no excuses“. Well, great.. hope they didn’t become a rapist or child abuser or serial killer either! Talk about setting up a strawman. What I’m getting at is people can be quite malicious towards these patients. Clinicians should try to provide an understanding of the mechanisms and try to increase compassion. The public already have a skewed view of the disorder. Those TV shows don’t help. We don’t see much compassion these days in general. I mean, yes it can develop into a pretty gross situation. And maybe there’s an initial reaction to that, but that’s an oversimplification. Hoarding is not just about stuff! It’s surprising to me that people don’t figure that out.

[@1chienandalou]

Nakidz the talk is poor at so many levels. I am very familiar with such presentations as a university professor. I don’t know what the context is exactly but I had to stop because of both the content and because I couldn’t tolerate her repeating things for times, changing the sentence slightly, and also the mouth smacking sounds, horrible... maybe she should come up with a personalized strategy to stop doing that! Seriously, as somebody who is trained in a similar area works in a neighboring field, I sure hope that this is not a prevalent attitude to hoarding.

[@icanletgo-recoveryfromhoar537]

1chienandalou, I appreciate your insightful comments. Been searching for solutions for my hoarding issues & have found many clinician takes to be overly focused on the "stuff" & "information processing," rather than what's going on underneath in the individual. It does seem to be the prevalent attitude to hoarding. I totally understand everything _intellectually_ but _emotionally_ still get stuck. This condition doesn't seem to be one that you can "think" your way out of. Have been sharing videos about my journey for almost 3 years. Recently it dawned on me that maybe the reason throwing things away is difficult for me is because I feel I'm less deserving of being cared for than those "things." 😯 So I've been focusing on self-compassion & self-love to see what impact that may have.

[@joanofarc33]

Aussie Sarah's trains and models My mother is a hoarder and if you don’t deal with the clutter ( the symptom) you won’t get anywhere near the deeper stuff. Dealing with the clutter is dealing with the deep stuff.

[@deadmanswife3625]

Difficulty discarding things.. That sounds familiar. My husband never likes to take out the garbage

[@JudiL-f4v]

And sometimes it’s rooted deeply in narcissism. I have a stubborn narc relative who thinks it’s normal and has fought tooth and nail with all the wonderful people who’ve tried to help her. There are studies now that suspect narcissism is a major factor. We need to stop coddling these people who have valued their hoard over their families. I am one of those people.😢

[@alinaarachnaphobic]

I'm sorry for your suffering ❤ I grew up w one family member, my Mom, who is a hoarder. We have no other family and since moving out our relationship flourished. I had to move back as she is getting older, and it has ruined our relationship again. I am so scared we are gonna hate each other thru her transitioning. I wish there was support for people like us, it's so painful

[@connie7851]

I am 70 and have a hard time listening to younger people who have an appearance of an adult talking to a class of children.... This happens more as we age... my dental Dental Hygienist is still telling me to brush up and down like I am 5 years old... This is how this person comes across even though the info is great

[@lisarandleman6141]

@connie With respect, the observations you have expressed are YOUR perceptions and represent reverse ageism. The presenter is educated and has dedicated years to her field of study. She should be respected.

[@turtleanton6539]

😅

[@Marie-oy1bd]

Does anyone know where to learn how to help children of hoarders? Teens with a parent struggling with grief and hoarding (older parent who has hoarded for years).

[@vmobile890]

Don’t know but already seeing a part of hoarding from the grand parents to a 2 year old . A 2 year old doesn’t need a play pen with 30 toys if the parents want to teach non hoarding at a young age . We need to focus on the quality until we can handle the vast amount we can gather .

[@sabaaman]

I donated something ..but I am so distressed and depressed 😔 just want to get it back somehow....obsessed with collecting shopping bags ,socks ,shoes,....more since my kids left home...as more space available 😢

[@kathleen2372]

Do you have any videos on how to help Hoarding Disorder in younger people (20’s). Before it becomes serious much later. It’s already serious but contained to only the rooms in a family home that they have control over. Our family is very concerned.

[@tawanium]

I am one of those people who have gotten angry countless times. Yelling “enough with the BS!” simply wouldn’t do it. The person would simply just shut down and be in denial 😔😣

[@ireneb3433]

Denial is a coping mechanism ... funny that they would look for a coping mechanism when having anger spewed over them while being verbally attacked, essentially fuelling the flames of their shame which may well be at the root of the problem; gee, why on earth might that be that they go into denial, I wonder???

[@lovesart99]

amazingly helpful

[@gmac11653]

I am a hoarder to a point I think. I keep alot of things and collect many. But I don't keep trash and I am very clean.

[@moirallarian]

Beeing a hoarder does not mean you are unclean, it only means, you have a problem to part with things. My family from my fathers side has the hoarding problem since my grandmother, and all of her four alive children too. Now my father an my mother are around 80, with age it becomes more dirty because they do not see the dirt anymore, but they are still cleaning themselfes as good as in my childhood. And in someway the "piling" dirt becomes normal for them.

[@bjmajor]

I too am a collector (of several types of items) but I do not keep any trash, garbage, food containers, etc. I actually can't relate to anyone who does that, as I am opposed to making a living area unsanitary by choice.

[@lisahodges8299]

Bit worrying, my partner is an older hoarder. He cleared some stuff then immediately refilled it. I doubt whether he will be offered mental health help in our country.

[@donball5918]

All of this makes me wonder if there is a DSM category for busybody psychiatrists who insist on sticking their noses into everyone else's business. Yes, there are legitimate hoarders who persist in clinging onto things which might remotely be useful at sometime. On the other hand, I have been around people who are just plain trashy and too lazy to clean up after themselves. Let us not confuse hoarders with outright filthy slobs.

[@1chienandalou]

One of the several issues with this talk 😕

[@angelamilne2054]

Don Ball Are you a squeeky clean super act ?

[@deadmanswife3625]

@@angelamilne2054 lol

[@OneRedKansan41]

I like this very informative video. Would like to know how someone who is living next to a hoarder should react say when they are trying to sell their house or if there are more pests because of the hoard.

[@acajudi100]

empty the house and stage it.

[@gregzeng]

"Healthy" hoarding often comes in families that have experienced war environments, since as my dad's & uncle's (WW2, East Asia). Distress, disease, level are uncommon to Chinese families. My concern is how dependents (children, teens, etc) can try to habilitate their elders. Identify, group support, treat - otherwise these junior dependents will unconsciously repeat childhood history: obsessions with property, money, babies, ... avoiding futures.

[@barbarah2773]

When you get a person to get rid of their stuff and stop hoarding, what do you replace the hoarding behaviors with when the hoarder is used to buying or bringing things into the house?

[@MelindaMc]

God

[@maam-yj8ph]

I would emphasize positive social experiences if possible. Regular meals and walks with family and friends. Offer help. Make organizing the pantry a weekly/monthly quality time task. Play " keep," "discard," and "donate" every chance you get . Make sure the appliances are working adequately and walk through step by step what to do when they do not.

[@RealHouseMouse2]

Treatment for hoarding elderly people? What about caring for them?

[@Brabus8297]

my dad hoards magazines and containers along with tons of other crap, i refuse to go to his house unless it involves a dumpster and clean out.

[@meloneemurray7547]

I don't blame you for having those feelings. My husband and his siblings did too. The thing is, is when she felt threatened of this type of action, she hoarded even more. To her, everything was able to be repaired. No matter what it was! I will never forget sitting out front with her (no one was ever invited inside for obvious reasons), and she was showing me the plastic ring that separated from the milk cap when opening a new jug. She said, "You see this? It would make a great ring toss game for kids". I just kind of smiled and nodded my head, you know? The way you do when you are certain you couldn't have heard what someone said because it didn't sound reasonable. She saw purpose in everything, much to her detriment. She eventually died of Alzheimer's. I do believe that the environment she kept herself in contributed to her demise.

[@acajudi100]

he could use trunks and RubberMaid containers, with idex box and cards, with contents, location, and RM #. cover with pretty serape cloth, materal, or pretty sheets. place bools on top, pillows etc.

[@myaccountantinc]

is there any connection to hoarding and addiction, such as alcoholism????

[@OwlCUlater]

Thank God I am A minimalist....less shit to deal with....freeeeeeeeeeeedom.

[@acajudi100]

when i die, i will be one also. right now...enjoying my controlled clutter.

[@sinthiaszato9189]

Go listen to some other video. Minimalists are bragging anal linear egotistics who like to act superior over others. Go tidy up.

[@cathygoltsoff9615]

My friend is very disorganized her ceiling fell in, her pipes are broken, she has trashed her home and has too many animals. She needs to move off her property as it rains in her house. She is over 65 and she will not change and does not want to. She is HIGHLY offended by suggestions to sell her property and move. She had no heat or water and she has been told not to have so many animals via court. She complains about her environment and blames others. By having animals she distracts herself as it is a full time job. She recently had a decrease in her fixed income and she will not work. I gently suggest she needs to have a place with running water, heat and air conditioning as I told her to rent a room. I am trying to save her life. She is overwhelmed with filth and clutter and is not willing to change. Too sad

[@MelindaMc]

Call social services. And animal control.

[@JanetUSA]

That paper hoarding translates to the internet. A million tabs, bookmarks, and files.

[@acajudi100]

Tornadoes etc declutters instantly. I see people, who have lost everything, but they were not killed. Just give the stuff away, and do not throw out.

[@Cryptonymicus]

I can almost never discard a browser bookmark.

[@CheriBomzArt]

Worried about $ alot too, in past.

[@myaccountantinc]

i would to talk to you dr, im 43 and my haord is getting out of conrtrol

[@polomare2027]

Does anyone know where I can get a copy of the informational slides used in this video please?

[@vmobile890]

on a iphone you can do screen record . Or slow down the youtube and do a screen copy .

[@stevepowsinger733]

Psychotherapy is not about the empathy. Empathy is overrated at best (see book "Against Empathy", Paul Bloom). It's about scientifically examining the roots of the disorder, its manifestations and coming up with the most likely successful treatment plans or approaches. Also I noticed a "VA" credit in front of her name in a screen tab - not sure how that figures in with UCSD in working with Dept. VA.

[@Dipset-wr6kt]

SSRI will not help and will actually worsen the situation due to side effects and withdrawals. Often withdrawals will be seen as patients condition getting worse and will be poly-medicated.

[@roseelley4470]

Some of the photographs (especially at the beginning over this video) seem over the top - People can be hoarding and still be somewhat organized. That is the critical time to change behavior. These people who are "on the edge" are so often dismissed when hoarding programs focus on the extreme hoarders for (my opinion) sensationalism. What about focusing on those on the edge??

[@joyhandy74]

I have a friend that calls me a hoarder, because I have so much stuff in the apartment. She would be clutterd too if she didn't have a storage unit. I frequently thin stuff out, and I keep my home tidy. I do have a bunch of stuft animals, glass dolls, and minions, and books. But it's all shelved, and clean. I have a cup of silly topped pens. I have about 100 movies, again all shelved and clean. Only my closet is a wreck due to lack of room for stuff, and not able to use the second bedroom due to needing a roomie. My friend has 3 bedrooms to spread out in so it looks different for her. I don't think I am a hoarder. I frequently give stuff away. My trash goes out. I think she is completely wrong about me.

[@vermilliongecko]

+Joy Handy Forget what your friend said about you, and assess yourself on the criteria in this video. Can you use all your rooms for their intended purpose? Can you cook in the kitchen? Can you bathe in the bathroom? Can you sleep in your bedroom? Can you sit in your sitting room? It's not useful to compare yourself to your friend. You could maybe thin out your clothes, getting rid of anything that doesn't fit or feel good to wear. Apart from that, you sound like a collector, rather than a hoarder.

[@joyhandy74]

The Real Vermillion 303 I can use all the rooms in my apartment, and so can my fiance and grown daughter. You can see most of the floors in each room. You can open and shut doors. Almost all my things are on shelves. My desk is a mess right now. My closet is useable. My bathroom is clean, my apartment is tidy. My pets are clean. People can come over and have somewhere to sit. I don't have any spoiled food. The only trash is what my slob family leaves for me to pick up cuz I'm the maid of the family. Thank you for what you said.

[@vermilliongecko]

Joy Handy Yep, you're not a hoarder. As the lady on this video said, EVERYONE has areas of their home that are untidy, like a desk. It doesn't mean you're a hoarder. It sounds like you're sick of being criticised and put upon. I would have words with your 'friend' and your family! Good luck.

[@deadmanswife3625]

@@joyhandy74 you are functioning just fine and I really resent people who like to diagnose people

[@nataliebutler]

There's a trend towards calling anything that's not minimalist 'hording'. It's not. Maybe you're a bit of a maximalist, but there's nothing wrong with that.

[@barbaracahill8605]

Is hoarding more a problem in western society than non-western?

[@meloneemurray7547]

Good question. I venture to say yes.

[@acajudi100]

We have more and more space.

[@LadyCoyKoi]

I would say yes. The reason being is that western culture sympathizes and correlates success with materialism. You are what you wear, you are what you buy, you are what you own mentality. I know it isn't always the case (predisposition shouldn't equate to predetermination), but the way western cultures/societies seem to pride and praise materialism doesn't help the person who has the predisposition of having this disorder.

[@SM-ku3uo]

Hoarding is a habit more prevalent in families coming from third world countries say ex refugees still remember days when they had very little and have difficulties letting go of objects because they didn't want to go back to the days when they were so deprived materialistically.

[@efrahome]

@@LadyCoyKoi furthermore, I’d say for example when you see Japanese culture -as in Marie Kondo’s book- you can see how different they perceive everyday items, they’re very present-centered and we often fall victims of the “not throw nothing because it’s wasteful” mentality.

[@joyhandy74]

I think I have so many "toys" because I have a really damaged kid in me from life being war since birth.

[@vermilliongecko]

+Joy Handy I've heard people say that they collect 'toys' because they had few as a child, or had a parent who threw theirs away.

[@bjmajor]

@@vermilliongecko I collect dolls and toys because I truly loved them as a child and because I never outgrew the play factor of them. They give me great joy. And yes, also because as much as my parents gave me, they also threw stuff away as I got older that I would have loved to keep.

[@rubyquail]

I have a board looking house because Iost my energy to clear it out. I can get around

[@UniversalFactYouTube]

My parents hv th same disorder.

[@robinlillian9471]

These days anyone who isn't a minimalist is called a "hoarder". Family members overreact and threaten older relatives. It's more about punishment for "deviance" than anything else.

[@LadyBeatrixMcCormick]

I take serious issue with, "We know there's a strong genetic component, so if you have a first degree relative with this condition you're much more likely to have it.". Even now in 2020, I don't find any studies that even come close to proving this statement. Throwing this type of definitive "fact" out there from a clinical perspective is unethical and irresponsible. Family of hoarders are already highly traumatized dealing with the devastating emotional and physical fallout of this mental illness. They shouldn't have to live in fear of succumbing to it in their lifetime because an "authority" in the field pronounces a virtually inescapable jail sentence.

[@ash-is-napping]

It’s your choice whether to live in fear. These are often learned behaviours that we pick up in early childhood.

[@nataliebutler]

I think you have misinterpreted what 'more likely to have it means'. It's not a sentence or a guarantee, just a higher number of people who have it also have relatives who have it.

[@LadyBeatrixMcCormick]

@@nataliebutler I've talked to dozens of adult children of hoarders who interpret statements about "strong genetic components" as an inevitable prison sentence for their own mental health. There's a sundering breach between clinicians, who specialize in Hoarding Disorder, and traumatized children of hoarders when it comes to family communication, therapy methods, and empathy for the children. The blatant clinical disregard for needs of the traumatized family in a PwH's orbit has caused me to recommend they begin honing their responses by learning about and instituting boundaries, and seeking therapy from childhood trauma and abuse specialists. I also recommend they ignore educational material from the clinical realm of HD, that exacerbates their hoard caused trauma, until well into their own healing journey.

[@uyoebyik]

I'm from a family of five children. My mother was a hoarder. One of my siblings is a bit of a hoarder too. I hate clutter

[@stephanieharries7746]

Less can be more- I have noticed for me.

[@cuccioloyuri]

my mom... to contrast I have anorexia and OCD :(

[@actually_autistic]

If only you would look at it from an autistic and ADHD perspective you would see that what you call “hoarding disorder” is related to autistic traits such as collecting objects related to special interests, seeing individual items rather than the bigger picture, hyperempathy towards objects and object permanence, and executive function problems from ADHD. If you bothered to research it properly and carry out autism and ADHD assessments you would see they’re undiagnosed autistic and ADHD. Until then, this information is useless and any “help” offered will never work because you can’t change the way our brains are wired.

[@turtleanton6539]

Yes inde3d😮😮😮

[@ballparkfrank33]

Yes, they hoard cats too...

[@northshore8800]

My father hords money...Really

[@alpuck1]

this is not covered by health insurance

[@gyongyipedersen9264]

You didn't specify the main reasons for hoarding: 1. EMOTIONAL trauma 2. Lonelyness (lack of all those happiness HORMONES). 3. The feeling of being unsupported. People's feeling lonely and unsupported, will find joy in ITEMS. It's them only way of joy to find and collect items. A happy person surrounded by supporting family and many friends will NEVER EVER become hoarders!!!

[@lindasharpe7039]

Getting out of a horrible marriage.

[@janpiwowarczyk2858]

The fact people who have first degree relative ho does it does not mean it is genetic, it can be passed in non genetic way, only finding the link which proves it can mean that.

[@FknNefFy]

Working on one room is a problem I guarantee things are moving into another room

[@ellierose2661]

Great information, annoying lip smacking littering and cluttering the verbal presentation.

[@skipsassy1]

Urges to save never seems to happen with cash - and that's no accident ....you are condemned for that.

[@beautifulbutterfly2046]

All diseases can be healed in Jesus’s name. It’s a disease and Jesus can heal these people 🙏

[@annmariecline9570]

just turned 65 wife will not throw anything out!.......

[@Autumn_Forest_]

This woman's mouth smacking drives me nuts. I can't watch it all. She's murdering me.

[@miguelgonzales8879]

Don't watch but throw unnecessary things away.

[@coolnvigilantoutreach9418]

Is this really just her talking for an hour and fifteen minutes

[@skipsassy1]

Cat urine? Cat litter filled? What does this so called psychologist start with that?

[@conservativetothecor]

Wow...another disorder. Do you ever teach people self control

[@petere.9138]

conservativetothecor Nope, that's how they make money.

[@Xycopixie]

It's not a self-control issue it's a cognitive problem associated with grief and anxiety. Should someone with depression just "cheer up"?

[@Kyrani99]

The disorder is "looking to diagnose a hoarding disorder" and it is the psychiatrist that has it. Hoard if you want hoard. Nothing wrong with it. What happened to being an individual. Why should a person have to use every "living space" in their house or apartment in the same way as the average person does?

[@FknNefFy]

Seems like a long talk about obvious observations - nothing groundbreaking here 😏

[@myaccountantinc]

i ft all your standards to a t