Are you struggling with cleaning a hoarder's house? Here is our four-step guide from Bio-One of Orange's remediation specialists to help you get started. With our help, you'll have your loved one's home cleaned most efficiently!
Educating yourself about Hoarding Disorder is the first step to helping someone you care about or even yourself. To properly understand hoarding disorder, you have to learn what the symptoms of hoarding disorder are. This will enable you to accurately distinguish hoarding from collecting meaningful items and hoarding out of fear of being wasteful, two behaviors with very different causes, treatments, and outcomes.
Hoarding behavior may manifest as the inability to manage decision-making related to possessions, difficulty discarding possessions that others might consider valueless, strong feelings of anxiety when discarding items, and persistent clutter that impairs functioning. Educating yourself is the first step to better understanding hoarding!
The next step is to assess the situation. When cleaning a hoarder's house, one must examine the environment and determine what items are hoarded, how much clutter there is, and if there is any potential danger. Be sure to contact a professional company if you feel the situation is too overwhelming to handle on your own or if you are uncertain about what items should be kept, discarded, and/or donated.
Once you have assessed the situation, it is time to take action! The typical hoarding remediation process includes the following steps:
The final step in cleaning a hoarder's house is to work with a professional cleaning and mental health specialist. It is also important to have a mental health specialist involved to provide the necessary support and guidance throughout the process.
The most common treatment options for Hoarding Disorder include support groups, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and medications. The goal of treatment is to help the person manage their anxiety around discarding items, reduce clutter, and create a safe and healthy environment!
Cognitive-behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy used to treat Hoarding Disorder. CBT focuses on changing thinking patterns, negative beliefs, and behaviors contributing to the problem. CBT teaches people how to identify and modify irrational thoughts that lead to clutter and disorganization in their homes.
Support groups can be an important part of treatment for Hoarding Disorder. These support groups offer a safe and supportive environment to discuss struggles, successes, and experiences with others who understand. During meetings, members can receive encouragement to help them stay motivated and on track with their goals. Additionally, they may learn new strategies for organizing their home and reducing clutter.
Medications may also be prescribed to help people with hoarding manage their symptoms, such as anxiety and depression.
Bio-One of Orange offers solutions to life's most challenging and unexpected situations. We guarantee a quick response time, so you can rest assured that help is always on the way. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Bio-One prides itself on providing top-quality service and support. If you're facing a difficult situation, don't hesitate to contact the Bio-One team:
Bio-One of Orange is a family-owned company that takes pride in providing quality care for residents throughout California’s Southern region. From Aliso Viejo to Costa Mesa and beyond. As members of the Orange Chamber of Commerce, our certified, professional hoarding remediation technicians are ready to help. Bio-One is available 24/7, 365 days a year. Contact us at 714-397-8375.
