Obsessive Compulsive Hoarding Disorder
Is this you?
- I have had my clutter for years
- Every room in my home is at least 75% cluttered
- I cannot walk easily from one side of the room to the other
- I cannot get into the room easily
- I have been aware of my clutter being out of control for more than 5 years
- Even though I know I have too much 'stuff', I still acquire and buy more belongings and can't stop myself
- I don't have a clearly defined home for anything in my home
- I put my belongings wherever I can find space for it
- I have tried to clear my clutter more than 30 times in the last year and made no difference at all
- My clutter is taking over my home, my thoughts, my conversations with friends and family
- My clutter is the first and last thing I see and think of every day
- I struggle to accept that I will have to get rid of some of my clutter to create more space in my home
- I'm terrified of letting go of any of my clutter
Maybe it's not you who is the Obsessive Compulsive Hoarder - maybe it's a friend or family member.
Obsessive Compulsive Hoarding is the name given to the problem when someone has extreme clutter and is unable to let go of any clutter whilst also continuing to acquire belongings.
Compulsive Hoarding is set to be recognised as a disorder when it is listed in the 2012 edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
This means that no only will doctors become more aware of the condition, it will hopefully be easier to get funding for the help with the physical and mental clutter that you need to deal with.
Someone who suffers from it doesn't just keep things, they also acquire belongings even when they already have a home packed with belongings that don't have a clearly defined place within that home, purpose or need. Very often their belongings provide a feeling of comfort and safety, and those who suffer from it have a fear that if they let go of it to someone else then that other person won't appreciate the value (either monetary or sentimental) of that item.We are finding that more and more people with extreme clutter actually suffer from OCHD as opposed to being temporarily dis-organised or cluttered. As a result, we are having to refer people to their GP's before we can start to help them in their homes which is often met with resistance as a classic OCHD sufferer will insist that their problem is clutter as opposed to OCHD. However, we are de-cluttering experts who have coaching skills and we recognise our limitations when it comes to OCHD.
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How can Clare help people with OCHD?
A large proportion of the people Clare works with have OCHD and there is a very specific way of working with them. Clare has successfully worked with 3 people with OCHD in the past 9 years, and is currently working with a further 4 at present.
Clare helps someone with OCHD deal with the physical Clutter issue, and when they work with her they commit to a minimum of months of help with her consisting of weekly help, either through her 12 Week Success Club or her 3 month Help in the Home package.
Between January and March 2012, Clare has 2 Sponsored places available on her 3 month Success Club programme for anyone who suffers from OCHD. Please contact Clare using the contact details below if you are interested in one of these places.
However, this alone is not enough.
There also has to be parallel work done on the mental clutter that contributes to the physical clutter. This is done through counselling or therapy which is usually started a short while before the physical Clutter Clearing begins with Clare to ensure that the person is ready to start dealing with the physical clutter. In some cases, medication can be prescribed to help with the anxiety and stress related to starting their Clutter Clearing journey.
Whether you are the person with the hoarding, a friend or family member, a therapist with a client, we can help the person with the clutter ONLY when they are open, willing and determined to clear their clutter.
It is also important to acknowledge that there is no quick fix and it is going to be a long and slow journey when starting from a point of Obsessive Compulsive Hoarding. However, it is possible to deal with it and become cltuter free and organised. The person will need to be willing - and able - to invest the time on a weekly basis for at least a year.
What to do now
If you recognise yourself - or someone you know - from any of the above, then the first step is to find out what help they have sought or had in the past. If they have not had any help in the past yet do want it, then the first step is to visit their GP.
Remember:
Compulsive Hoarding is set to be recognised as a disorder when it is listed in the 2012 edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
This means that GP's 'should' become more aware of it as a disorder that requires treatment - both the mental clutter and the physical clutter.
Clare can help with the physical clutter if you can arrange to get ongoing, regular help with the mental clutter via your GP.
To discuss further, either for you, a friend or a client:
Contact Clare
All contact is kept completely confidential.
If it is hard to make or receive calls (because you don't want anyone else in your home to know, or you would like to ask me anything, then you can e-mail me at:
clare (@) clutterclearing.net
Please allow 24 hours for a reply - as I'm sure you can appreciate I may be out with clients, or working with Success Club Members at the time you e-mail therefore unable to respond immediately.
If you would like to know how many days of help in the home, or virtual help in the home she I would recommend for the amount of clutter you have, then:
- e-mail me a photograph of all the rooms you want to clear
- the postcode of where you home is.
Call...
You can call me, in confidence, on
(UK) 01295 275030
Monday - Friday: 9am - 6pm
Saturdays & Sundays: Pre-booked telephone appointments or Clutter Clearing Sessions only
Out of hours: Answering Machine
Whether you are a therapist or counsellor who has a client or patient who would benefit from some practical help from NLP Trained Clutter Coach so that they can make tangible progress in their home as well as in their therapy sessions, or you're someone who thinks they may have OCD, contact Clare using the details below and we can begin your journey to a Clutter Free home.