London house clearance specialists Jeffrey Avery & Associates discuss how many people know about compulsive hoarding now and what it consists of, but sometimes they are unaware of the actual reality of this debilitating condition.
It is therefore no surprise that a TV programme shown over the festive period raised so much discussion, for many people were simply so shocked to see the inside of a hoarder’s house and find out what it is like to live with the condition.
The programme, called ‘Obsessive Compulsive Hoarder’, focussed on , a 59-year-old compulsive hoarder who lives in a small village in Surrey. He has lived in his five-bed-roomed bungalow all his life, but now it is becoming too crowded, and it’s not because anyone else has moved in.
Instead, the programme revealed the extent of Richard’s hoarding habit, and it was truly shocking.
There was simply no room in his house to do anything, and he did not even have a bed. Instead, he ate, worked, watched TV and slept in one chair because there is no room for anything else.
He was forced to get onto his belly and slide between rooms in order to get around in the house due to the sheer quantity of items, especially the newspapers and magazines which take up so much space.
The fact is that this is the reality for many people living in the UK who suffer from compulsive hoarding. It is a debilitating condition, and the sufferers are often simply unable to throw away their items, no matter how worthless they may seem to other people.
As a result they end up accumulating unmanageable amounts of items which get to a level which prevents them from doing anything else.
Richard Wallace is just one victim, and the programme depicted just one story, but this is a large problem. However, thanks to TV programmes like this the condition is getting more publicity and this can only be a good thing in helping to raise awareness.
For confidential advice call Jeffrey Avery on 0800 567 7769
