Can't stop watching Hoarders

**estilomercado** · 04-13-2010, 08:28 AM

love that!

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 04-14-2010, 04:24 AM

I watch it! I think it's interesting...and overwhelming! I don't think I'd have the patience to let them sort through one thing at a time, really slow. I'd want to just grab some gloves and do it myself...FAST!

**Pemberleyan** · 04-14-2010, 08:34 AM

Nana2two, good for you! I'd probably watch the show if I got that channel.

Pollypurebred39, I know what you mean. I've read that this current “recession” will become worse than the “great depression” and it's made me think about stocking up on things that may become unavailable. Of course, I hope it won't get like that. People who lived during the depression knew what it was like to be without the simplest things that we can so easily take for granted.

**krbshappy71** · 04-14-2010, 09:26 AM

Originally Posted by Pemberleyan

Nana2two, good for you! I'd probably watch the show if I got that channel.

It's on a e t v . com, almost all the episodes. I don't have cable, I watch it online.

**Ebbie** · 04-14-2010, 12:22 PM

^^ I went to the A & E site and I only see 2 full episodes online. Is there a way to access other episodes that I'm not seeing? (I watched the two that were there and was quite fascinated.)

**krbshappy71** · 04-14-2010, 02:06 PM

It is updated every Tuesday with new episodes. They used to have tons stored on there. You can also check hulu dot com and just type in hoard. I believe I found some on there as well. Oh and you tube has some that are not A & E, but are documentary type, or Dr. Phil of course has an episode on it.

I agree. Fascinating how quickly it can spiral. I believe I'm an at risk person so let's hope I don't have any tragic stuff in my life to tip me over the edge. Many of the people I've seen on the shows had it under control most of their lives until a tragedy occurred.

My hugs to all who struggle with this.

**Ebbie** · 04-14-2010, 07:17 PM

^^ thanks for the info! I'll have to remember to check back on Tuesdays to watch the new episodes. I'm in Canada, so I don't get hulu (oh how I wish we did!).

I'm a very messy housekeeper (but better than I used to be) so that's one reason this show got my attention. However, from watching it I realize I'm not a hoarder (just messy) as I would have no problem pitching tons of stuff so I don't have the attachment issues that seem to define the disorder.

**beks37** · 04-26-2010, 10:46 PM

I just started watching Hoarders last week. It is very interesting to me. I am much the opposite and very organized and quite the minimalist. I would love to get my hands on a hoarders house and organize it! I'd love to become a professional organizer....maybe if I won the lottery and could do something for fun....and not for a "job".

**Jellybeanz** · 06-28-2010, 07:50 AM

I tried watching the show but couldn't.. it was too darn depressing!

And sometimes I see people hoarding great big messes in houses that to ME are way nice houses.. I live in a very old rundown house that I struggle to keep tidy and clean and it seems I can't do enough no matter what. Stuff is just old and rundown and falling apart... and to be honest it is frustrating to see someone with a decent house that is letting it go to pot.

But I do understand there is a mental issue going on there that keeps them hoarding. I tend to hoard food , something I'm working on now. I have focused on food stockpiles so much that I went overboard on canned /boxed items and stuff in the freezer that needs throwing out. So I relate in a sense, but I just get depressed seeing the occasional nice house on there be trashed I suppose ..

Weird I know.. and too it bring out fear in me I think, I soo do not want to ever be like that. But I could see it happening if say I got sick because noone else here cares enough to keep things clean. Ugh...
I think I need therapy...

LOL anyway, no I just can't watch it.. that or the addiction shows .. they make me so sad for people in both situations..

**Darlene** · 06-28-2010, 08:08 AM

I watched it a bit the other night and it was sad. To see how that mess effects the whole family...I felt so bad for the kids who love the parent and can't live normal lives because of the shame and chaos. They are held hostage in an ever growing world that suffocates them more and more as time goes by. I suppose that's what the hoarder feels but right or wrong I feel more for the innocents caught up in it all.

**Monner 1** · 06-28-2010, 10:16 AM

Oh, I have watched the show and sometimes I have to turn it off because I feel like I am going to have a panic attack. I feel soooo sorry for these people and their families but at least they are addressing the problem. Nana my congratulations goes out to you for conquering it and trying to keep ahead of it. You are one strong lady.

Monner

**mek42** · 06-28-2010, 12:12 PM

Originally Posted by Samigirl

We watch that show too. I can somewhat understand the attachment to sentimental items, but what boggles my mind are the people who haven't thrown out their pizza boxes, soda cans, etc.. in years. What would make a person keep their trash?

Good job in conquering your hoarding problem Nana!

Part of the hoarding disorder is that the sentimental feeling most people have to a limited number of items is applied to the vast majority of items for a hoarder due to organic brain disorder. For example, you (if married) will likely never throw away your wedding and/or engagement rings (assuming it is 'til death do you part and your spouse survives you). Now, you have strong, but less attachment to the first crafty winter holiday ornament that your firstborn child made for you. Maybe after 10 years you won't feel horrible if it gets damaged, but you'll likely keep putting it away in the winter holiday ornament box and not plan to throw it away at some arbitrary time. Other examples are college diplomas if you hang them on the wall, etc.

On the other hand, while you might put a work-related training certificate (or thank you / commendation award) on your cube wall at work, these things will likely get tossed when you leave the company.

Then, of course, you reach the extreme of last night's empty pizza box, which is usually considered trash.

Now, imagine that you are in a major car accident and your brain is damaged and now you have the same feelings of attachment to last night's empty pizza box as you used to to your wedding ring. Some people are born this way. And it is a continuum - maybe last night's pizza box is trash, but yesterday's newspaper is an important historical document that needs to be carefully archived for posterity.

**ladykemma2** · 06-28-2010, 02:48 PM

i'm a reformed clutterer (not as bad as the hoarders). in the messies anonymous book, which i found infinitely helpful, the author describes someone who thought "things" had "feelings". weird, I know.

that was me. i thought the gift or the giver would feel sad or abandoned if i gave it away.

i sought minor help for this and made affirmations, like "I let this go to someone who will use it and love it."

now if i want something gone, i put it on the front curb and it is gone within a half hour. this is customary in my neighborhood, kind of an internal freecycle program. we all do it.

i have gone minimalist in my decor and it is much easier to run my life. now i don't give it a second thought to get rid of stuff.

**TheRootedNomad** · 06-29-2010, 08:44 AM

I watch when I can, sometimes several episodes in a row. I worry that this is where my younger sister is headed and that there is such a thin line between the people who really reuse the things they keep and the ones that are true hoarders. I am always looking for things to say or do with my sister that might help. I think she is pushing the edge of heading there.