Sad situation - Hoarding

[Karen]

Not an animal hoarder, but I am taking care of a friend's kitty while she is away, and have to brace myself before I enter her apartment, as I have realized she is a hoarder. Every surface is covered with stuff except for a chair, her bed, and the table she feeds the kitty on. (likely because he would knock anything off of it besides the phone book that sits there.)

Has anyone ever dealt with a hoarder? She is a dear friend, sees a therapist for her struggles with Depression. and is going to have to move soon, and I don't even know how to broach the subject. It's so sad.

[Randi]

That is a sad situation indeed. I'm glad to hear she is getting therapy for her depression, but her therapist may not know about the hoarding situation.

Try to talk to her about the situation when she comes back. I know it's difficult, but something needs to be done - I imagine it's really dirty there and her and her kitty's health could be at risk... yours too, since you are allergic to many things. She will either tell you that she wants to keep her clutter the way it is, or that she doesn't have the energy to clean up. Perhaps offer to go with her to see the therapist next time and talk about it there. Does she have family you could talk to?

I have seen some TV programmes about hoarding, but I hope the situation is not that bad.

There are links out there about helping hoarders, but most are about animal hoarding. There may be group who can tell you how to handle it.

Good luck, Karen!

[Karen]

Thankfully it does not seem too dirty, but just very very very cluttered. I will ask her, gently, if her therapist knows about the hoarding,, or if she even recognizes that she's gotten to that point herself.

[Catty1]

Does she have a friend who might help her? There is one method that limits decluttering sessions to 15 minutes at a time.

http://www.flylady.net/

She can sign up for emails there. I have been receiving them for two years and some it I am beginning to apply. The Flylady says that one of our biggest obstacles to decluttering is our perfectionism. Also, she says "You are not behind!" You just jump in wherever you are.

I am sure she knows about her hoarding. One can be so overwhelmed by it that one never even starts on it.

I wish her all the best.

[Randi]

I just read this, which gives a lot of information on hoarding and possible treatment.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compulsive_hoarding

Btw, what kind of cat is it you're looking after? I suppose it's in her home?

[phesina]

I have this problem to some extent myself. I have way too many more things around than I have places to put them.