Blog #6 - Who Does Hoarding Effect?

Hoarding affects all numbers of people. Men and women. Young and old. But the stuff they hoard really brings out some personality. Mainly it reflects what the person has had as a career, or their interests and hobbies. And other times it is just a strewn mess of inconspicuous, random items.

When you think of whom hoarding affects, normally the hoarder themselves comes to mind. But not only does hoarding affect just the hoarder. It affects everyone around them as well. Sometimes hoarders are older and have children living in the house. And it is proven that when a child is living around or with a hoarder, that child is more likely to become a compulsive hoarder, then a child who is not associated with hoarding. Just because a hoarder is the only one who seems to have the difficulty getting rid of things in the home, doesn’t mean that family members are not affected, because it definitely takes a toll on them as well.

With children under 10 living in a hoarding household, they fail to live a normal family life; with their family. The children witness their parents slowly slipping away into a pit of despair. And there is nothing they can do to help them. How would that make you feel? Probably absolutely horrible, because it definitely wouldn’t make you feel great. And not only does the social aspect shatter, but what about their health? It probably isn’t as good as it should be... With all the rodents and bugs creeping around, or what about garbage that piles up after all the years?

It truly is a sad and disgusting tale; to us. And what about family and friends who see the problem and what the consequences could be if help is not found.

Wouldn’t you worry if a close relative was in some deep destructive mess they couldn’t get themselves out of? Yeah? Of course, because the attachment of fear is close and comes along with worry.