Many people accumulate possessions that take up space in their home. Garages, attics, basements, even spare rooms can over time become cluttered; primarily with items someone wants to save but hasn’t found just the right space to store them. Hoarding, however, is a whole different dimension and far more difficult to deal with. Compared to clutter, hoarding is extreme, with sufferers holding on to excessive amounts of items. Hoarding behavior can be the result of mental illness such as depression or anxiety, or it can be triggered by a traumatic event; death of a family member or friend, or divorce. Sometimes hoarding can relate to childhood experiences of losing things, not owning things, or people not caring for you. This might include experiences like: money worries or living in poverty in childhood or having your belongings taken or thrown away by someone. Causes are many; depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, dementia, and PTSD that lead to impaired decision-making abilities, fostering strong impulses to collect and an inability to discard items within the collection. “Suffice to say, hoarding is a serious problem that requires treatment and support to avoid isolation and extreme squalor,” says Eric Cagle, President, Davis of North Dallas, TX. Who adds that his company has experience dealing with the many intricacies of hoarding issues. Â
Recognizing Symptoms of Hoarding
Level 1: Minimal clutter, house is still accessible, odors are not noticeable. Yet an obsessive need to collect is the initial sign of hoarding.
Level 2: In addition to level 1 signals, overflowing garbage cans, accumulated piles of dirty plates or expired food, and sometimes for pet owners, animal waste on the floor. There might also be signs of a rodent infestation forming.
Level 3: Advancing signals now include odors that are noticeable. Clutter will build up outside of the home. At least one room, such as the bedroom or bathroom, has become unusable and piles of objects and clothing, together with the spills and unsanitary conditions have appeared and will pose a health hazard.
Level 4: This stage builds upon the earlier ones and the symptoms become more severe. Intense odors, overwhelming piles of clutter, household animal feces accumulate to an enormous degree plus entrance and exits to the home are blocked off, preventing emergency services from safely entering. Bug infestations may appear during this stage as well. These factors pose an extremely high health risk.
Level 5: Here the worst hoarding conditions take over. Pet capacity often exceeds the legal limit. Homes sustain structural damage and become extremely hazardous. Hoarders in this level may collect their urine into bottles that do not get discarded, and human feces will accumulate on the floor. Hoarders now often find themselves in severe legal trouble with animal abuse charges and possible eviction.
In addition to arranging mental health support for the hoarder(s), companies with skilled staff and technologies to safely and thoroughly clean and dispose of the hoarder’s accumulations are necessary. Cagle believes strongly that this is not a do-it-yourself task. “Hoarding cleanup can lead to severe injuries and health dangers. Professional mitigation and restoration companies such as Paul Davis Restoration are a life-line to consider calling in. Our people are skilled in the proper and safe gathering and disposal of trash, garbage, waste and pest and insect removal. We assure, when possible, that the home will be restored to a clean and safe state for re-occupy or sale.” To reach your local Paul Davis Restoration company and arrange for an inspection and detailed quote for necessary services call 888-473-7669.
