Voices of People Affected by Hoarding
"I know I should get rid of things and I try. Whenever I do, one of two things happens: I have unbearable anxiety or I get so excited to find things I haven't seen in ages!"
"I haven't had anyone in my home for 10 years. I'd be embarrassed for anyone to see how much stuff I have. Because of that I have several things in my house that no longer work, but I make do."
"My father hasn't let me in his house for many years. Now he has failing health and we have to find a way to take care of him, but he gets mad any time I try to help. It's an impossible situation."
"I sneaked a few things out of my sister's house. It was just empty bottles and newspapers. Now she won't talk to me and tells people I stole from her."
Services Offered
Susan works long-term in the home to allow a client to acclimate to the changing surroundings and to learn new patterns and behaviors. Included in the work is strengthening communication between the client and family and friends. Assessment of support needed to address repairs, volume of things, and removal of large items continues throughout the process.
When a deadline is present for removing a large volume of things, Susan coordinates a team of assistants and specialty services. If volunteers are available, she educates, trains and supervises the client's team, serving as project manager.
Find Support & Hope in the Nashville Area
"Please respect me. I'm not trying to be difficult."
Workshops
Susan Gardner, CPO-CD, MDiv, offers different workshops throughout the year. These are geared to people who hoard as well as to family and friends.
They include “Alternatives to Nagging, Pleading and Threatening in Hoarding” and “Couples/Families in Clutter Conflict”
Both workshops are designed for the person who hoards along with affected family and friends.
Definition of Hoarding Disorder
Hoarding disorder is a mental health condition in which a person feels a strong need to save a large number of items, whether they have monetary value or not, and experiences significant distress when attempting to get rid of the items. The hoarding impairs their daily life.
Resources to Understand Hoarding Disorder
International OCD Foundation on Hoarding Disorder
Buried in Treasures: Help for Compulsive Acquiring, Saving, and Hoarding, by David Tolin, Randy Frost, and Gail Steketee
Stuff: Compulsive Hoarding and the Meaning of Things, by Randy Frost and Gail Steketee
From Hoarding to Hope: Understanding People Who Hoard and How To Help Them, edited by Geralin Thomas
Digging Out: Helping Your Loved One Manage Clutter, Hoarding, and Compulsive Acquiring, by Michael Tompkins and Tamara Hartl
Readiness for Change (Institute for Challenging Disorganization Fact Sheet)
