Description:

Hoarding Disorder results when people are unable to discard unneeded objects and possessions and end up living in an unpleasant and dangerous clutter.  People can also hoard animals.  Hoarders feel an emotional attachment or responsibility toward the items they hoard and find it very difficult to sort, organize and make decisions about the items that fill their living space.  Frequently they intend to do something with hoarded items and may churn their way through the clutter but are never able to to successfully clear the mess. Pressure from family and friends rarely results in improvement and many hoarders come to therapy because they are being forced to seek treatment.  Many families give up hope for a member who hoards because they feel thwarted in their efforts to help, especially after they see a hoarder resume hoarding after a forced “clean out.”

Treatment:

The staff of the Anxiety Treatment Center has experience helping families and hoarders learn to overcome the devastating effects of hoarding.  Hoarders relapse after forced clean outs unless they are taught new ways to think about objects and how to use living space appropriately.  We use motivational interviewing, individual and group therapy to help hoarders learn to sort, categorize and organize their belongings as they gradually reclaim their living space and learn to live comfortably without clutter.  We offer family intervention to help restore relationships that have been compromised by the effects of hoarding.

Hoarding Treatment Group:

We are pleased to be offering The Buried in Treasures Workshop, led by Julieanne Pojas, PsyD,. This is a therapist-led, CBT-based Workshop that teaches skills to help people overcome the clutter in their lives. The group will meet for 16 weeks in evenings. Please contact The Buried in Treasures Workshop at 847-559-0001 ext 78 to arrange for the pre-screening or if you would like more information regarding the workshop.

For More Information:

 Children of Hoarders
 Beyond OCD – OCD-Related Hoarding
 Anxiety and Depression Association of America – Hoarding
 The Hoarding of Animals Research Consortium