Hi Sarah,
I am sorry to hear about your story. The fear of people seeing your home is quite normal. Just know that the companies that do this for a living have seen it all before, and much worse. Just keep on task to get it done so you can live a better life. Can you tell me where you live to see if there are any resources I can help you with?

Cory Chalmers
HoardingCleanup.com

I'm working with a company who seems to be really helpful. They're going to charge me just under $3000. The problem is that I'm a disabled veteran and have zero money to get this done. It's so frustrating to be ready and not have the finances to take care of it. I've applied to a few emergency housing assistance places but I'm waiting to hear back. So difficult to wait, when if I had it, the house could be done by next weekend!

In what state and city are you located? ServiceMaster recently began offering hoarder cleanup services in some areaas. Their training incorporates how to deal with the people in a compassionate and understanding way. I was told that their process begins with helping the hoarder get a comfort level with the process before anything begins. I live in Memphis where Servicemaster's corporate headquarters is located, so I know they offer it in this region.

I have a 12 year old daughter and I'm a hoarder. I'm terrified that she'll be taken away from me, even though we live next door to my (very) clean living mom. I loved next door BECAUSE of my hoarding. It's been like this since I was a kid. Dust, mold, mice...every place I've ever been in has been like this.

Are these cleaning companies really compassionate? I have this paralyzing fear of someone seeing my home. I'll cry non-stop. I don't want my neighbors to see me or what's going on. Do I have to be there? lol I would rather they go through my stuff and categorize it without me. I don't want to be there, or my mom. She's extremely judgmental, naturally.

I'm in therapy and I'm finally to a point that I can handle a household-but the mess is just totally overwhelming and I worry about stirring up unhealthy particles.

My daughter is very understanding. I don't think it horribly affects her because we spend most of our time at my mom's house and she has friends over there. But it's not home and it's not her space. I want to do this for her more than anything.