Understanding Hoarding

Compulsive hoarding can make life a misery, affecting health, well-being and lifestyle, and posing a significant risk of fire, illness, infestation and other dangers. Hoarding touches the whole family, and can make it difficult to receive visitors. In extreme cases, it impinges on basic freedoms, such as space in which to eat, do paperwork or even sleep. Packed with practical advice, Understanding Hoarding aims to help those with hoarding difficulties and those who live with them. It is also a useful resource for friends and professionals. Topics include:

• what hoarding disorder is

• what triggers hoarding – childhood problems, trauma, abuse, bereavement

• assessing clutter

• why an intensive clear-out doesn’t work

• decluttering tips and tricks

• how to help a hoarder

• where your stuff goes

• therapies and resources

• what the professionals say

• hoarders’ stories

The hoarder’s journey can be a long and complex one but, in this useful book, expert Jo Cooke says that it is possible to take control of your life and your stuff.