You might think of hoarders as people who are so attached to their belongings that they can't bear to part with them. And while this may be true for some hoarders, or disruptive clutterers, the case is not always the same for everyone. This person doesn't collect things because they love them but because they're afraid to let go of anything. Bio-One is here to help with any type of hoarder cleanup scenario.
Whether you need help getting rid of clutter or feel unsure about dealing with someone who might be showing hoarding behavior, we're here for you.
What is Hoarding Disorder?
According to the American Psychiatric Association (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 2013), hoarding is a mental health disorder characterized by the persistent difficulty of discarding or parting with possessions, regardless of their actual value. People with hoarding disorder excessively save items that others would throw away.
Those struggling with disruptive clutter also have persistent thoughts about needing to save these items and feel very anxious when trying to get rid of them. As a result, they accumulate a lot of clutter in their homes, making it challenging to use rooms as they were intended. For example, a person with a hoarding disorder may use their oven to store clothes instead of cooking food. Their priorities seem to change.
Hoarding Stats - Who Deals with Hoarding Disorder?
Hoarding disorder affects about 2-6% of the population and is more common in older adults. It seems to affect both men and women at similar levels.
Common Risk Factors for Hoarding Behaviors
There is no single known cause of hoarding disorder. A combination of genetic, psychological, and environmental factors may contribute to the development of the disorder. People with hoarding disorder often have a family member who also has the condition, and this suggests that there may be a genetic component to the disorder.
Psychological factors such as Anxiety Disorder, Depression, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) may also play a role in developing Hoarding Disorder. Compulsive hoarding is typically associated with difficulty making decisions, and they tend to be perfectionists. They may also have trouble dealing with change and loss.
Environmental factors such as clutter and disorganization in the home may also contribute to the development of hoarding disorder.
Hoarders often live in homes that are cluttered and difficult to move around in, which can make it difficult to keep the house clean and create safety hazards.
Learn more: Do I Have Hoarding Disorder? - International OCD Foundation.
The challenges of living in a hoarded property
Living in a hoarded property can be extremely dangerous. Not only are there potential health hazards from all of the clutter and debris, but the risk of fire is also significantly increased. Hoarders often block exits and pathways with their possessions, making it difficult or impossible to escape in an emergency.
If you live in a hoarded property, it is essential to take steps to protect yourself and your family. Make sure everyone knows where the exits are and keep them clear. Keep an emergency kit on hand in case you need to evacuate quickly. And most importantly, stay aware of the dangers and be prepared to act quickly if necessary.
Treatment for Hoarding - What is the Outlook?
The outlook for hoarding disorder is generally reasonable. With treatment, most people with hoarding disorder can significantly reduce the amount of clutter in their homes and improve their quality of life.
With treatment, hoarders can learn how to control the urge to hoard and reduce the amount of clutter in their homes.
How Bio-One Can Help
Beyond the emotional distress that comes with dealing with a hoarded home, there is exposure to multiple physical challenges: mold growth, rotten food, pest infestations, diseases, and viruses that professionals should contain. Attempting to clean these situations without supervision might be dangerous.
Bio-One is always ready to tackle hoarder cleanup situations with a team of restoration technicians focused on getting people through what might seem like the most challenging moment in their lives. If you or someone you know is dealing with hoarding, give us a call, and let us help.
BIO-ONE - HELP FIRST, BUSINESS SECOND!
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. We're prepared to help you every step of the way, all the time.
Our customers' well-being and peace are always our priority, and business comes second. We want to ensure that customers who need our help know what to expect from our services.
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Bio-One of Orange is a family-owned, locally owned business dedicated to providing quality care for residents in Orange County and surrounding Southern California regions: Aliso Viejo, Anaheim, Brea, Buena Park, Costa Mesa, Cypress, Dana Point, Fountain Valley, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Irvine, La Habra, La Palma, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, Los Alamitos, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, Orange, Placentia, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Ana, Seal Beach, Stanton, Tustin, Villa Park, Westminster, and Yorba Linda!
As members of the Orange Chamber of Commerce, our certified, professional hoarder cleanup technicians are ready to help. Bio-One of Orange is available 24/7, 365 days a year. Contact us at 714-397-8375.