Hi Amanda :)

There is a website of people trying to get a handle on general housework or dig out of a moderate to a massive hoard.
They have many different methods that people there are using. Everybody is extremely kind, polite, encouraging and helpful.
Maybe reading there would give you the help you need and the encouragement you need to tackle this issue.
Best wishes!

http://takeonestepatatime.proboards.com/index.cgi?

I am not a full blown massive horder yet...But I do see the signs. As I look around my living room, there are dishes, food packages, clothing, and just simply general disarray. The kitchen is never used because of the gnats from trash that doesn't get taken out. Our clothes are in huge trash bags so that there is room to walk. The only room that stays slightly in order is my 2 year old daughters and the bathroom. I am always over spending or just spending on clothes, nic nacs, take out whatever. I work all the time, as I am a professional vocalist, and mobile DJ and Karaoke host. I also do event planning my self. But when it comes to me I can't stay organized. I do keep a good calender, and I am on time for my appointments, and have a very good work reputation. However I do realize that there is a serious problem.. I always have the intention of getting up in the mornings, or coming home from a show and pulling an all nighter to clean, but when I get here it just completely over takes me and I get so tired. I will even start to clean, but end up making more of a mess than when I started. I don't want the rest of my life to be filled with all this shame and guilt because I just don't know how to do all of this. I don't know how to get it all under control and make it work. Sometimes I walk by a window or a mirror and wonder if it is really me who lives in this place or me doing these things, and then I wonder how I got here, and if everyone feels this way and how do they all have such clean homes, two kids, husbands, careers...and I just can't. I don't have a clue how to get it all "nice and neat" for a long period of time. I think about cleaning all the time. It seems like I am always throwing away stuff, or wiping something down, but nothing goes away. I really do not want my little girl to miss out on knowing how to keep her life organized. It is really hard to have no domestic skills. Please help me fix this mess.
Thank you,
Amanda Spraggs

Dear Sirs, I saw your posting, and am in great need of help. I have always been a hoarder, however, my hoarding became out of control in 2006. I was 36, and had breast cancer, I choose to have a double mastectomy and reconstruction, however something went very wrong and the reconstruction did not go well. Over the next 2yrs I had removal and replacement surgery almost every 90 days. I would just start to get excited to go back to work, (I love my work I work with autistic individuals. It is my passion, and my dream is to open a unique autism center one day)). I had nothing much to do at this time so I began compulsive shopping, thus adding to the problem. Since that time I have also had a total hysterectomy because of cancer, and 5 other surgeries (I will tell you if you want to know), all with long recovery times and lots of time to hoard. Through this I have been able to go back to work on and off for two years. (It is not as bad as it sounds I am very lucky to have my moms support and other great things in my life.
I am very good at what I do and I am finally healthy and ready to work, but I can't find my teaching materials, so I continually repurchase things. I have beautiful clothing, and jewelry, however, due to the hoarding, i can never find what I need and I am always late, not good for job settings,and, I can not give all of my attention to the kids. I would really like to get a fresh start, and the help I need so that this does not continue to hold me down. Thank You Very Much,
jennifer bath

Hi there!

Dr. Tolin from Hartford Hospital is one of the leading experts who deals directly with hoarders and has been featured on the show Hoarders, Oprah etc. He is willing to do a story with us to help a family or an individual, we just need to find the right one.

Please post your story here and we can swap contact info if there is mutual interest in moving forward with a clean-up/help piece.

Thanks!
NBC Connecticut