Have you ever encountered a serious hoarder?

[Vinca]

Not just a packrat, but a full blown, could be an episode on that television show hoarder. I spotted an estate sale sign today and followed it to the house. It was a little Ranch-style place with a garage and it was more packed with crap than any place I've ever seen in my life. It smelled, too. I didn't see any dead vermin, but I'm betting they were there. The place was mobbed and I didn't even make it through 2 rooms of the house before fleeing. It was the first time I've ever felt claustrophobia in a sale of any kind. You could barely walk in the place down tiny aisles with junk piled floor to ceiling. Throw in the people and fear of the Covid variant and I decided it just wasn't worth it to be there. If someone found the original Picasso of my dreams, good for them.

[happybird]

1. My ex

Thankfully he didn’t hoard food trash or other stinky items.

It cost me over $700 for many, many trips to have his crap hauled to the dump (he’s in prison, has been for almost 3 years).

It took me 4 months to clean the house once he was gone. He had rented a garage behind the house without telling me, so that was an extra, unexpected joy.

It stems from PTSD. He was improving with therapy, but insurance would only pay for 12 sessions. He quickly reverted to his old ways.

It was a HUGE stress on our relationship (along with his drug use, which is why he’s in prison). He gets out soon. I wish him well, but he won’t be coming to my house.

[LakeArenal]

2. Yes. A very good friend over 40 years went from meticulous to hoarder.

Eventually I wouldn’t go in her house and she didn’t care if I did or not.

I think such people have suffered loss and anguish. It got much worse before it got better.

But eventually a noble prince saved her and whisked her away to a new life where she says she’s happy. She left everything behind. Good stuff and garbage. I think it took ten huge dumpsters to get everything out. House had to be gutted inside.
Oh did I mention she had cats...♨️

[brewens]

3. I had a friend that lived with his mom for a time and he wouldn't let me in. I got

little glimpses though. It was like stuff stacked everywhere. They had just enough room to get down the hall I could see. Her car was a big old boat crammed full too.

[FloridaBlues]

4. Yes my next door neighbor was a full blown hoarder very narrow space to walk and garbage even all in

The outside caged pool area. After she passed her family removed everything with 5 large metal containers. Hope to never see that again and the rats/mice left the area as well.

[CanonRay]

5. I did an interview in a house in Omaha like this

Crap stacked everywhere, dirty dishes and food scraps. Cockroaches running up and down the walls. When it was over my partner and I both went and took showers, put our clothes in a separate plastic bag to wash. Filthiest place I've ever seen.

[Binkie The Clown]

6. Yes. A relative, unfortunately. On the plus side she lives a few thousand miles from me. nt

[kimbutgar]

7. I'm a senior move manager

I’ve done a hoarder job with a QVC junkie. Lovely woman who brought 3 of everything. Many unopened boxes of purchases. Her apartment was stacked floor to ceiling with stuff. Goodwill, got a lot of new stuff. I also got a brand new HP laptop that was never opened.

And when I pack up seniors to downsize them to move to assisted living I’ve encountered hoarders that were caught in time. During the pandemic we had trouble getting rid good of stuff and they ended up in landfills sadly. If I was more inclined I’d have a constant supply to sell at flea markets. But none of them gave opened back up yet where I live.

[Vinca]

8. Uh oh. I'm kind of a senior at this point and I've found out that when I find something I really

like - like comfy shoes or an item of clothing - I buy it in multiples because I assume (from past experience) I'll never see it again. That's probably different from the woman you described since I'm not hooked on shopping networks and I really don't have that much spare stuff around. Too bad there's not a charity thrift shop you could donate that stuff to if you can't sell it.

[vanlassie]

9. Currently dealing with a 50 year old daughter living her whole life at home.

Mother is 75. Daughter is undiagnosed mentally ill. She keeps the contents of the vacuum cleaner. Every piece of paper she has ever touched. Much of it wrapped in tinfoil. Last week she pushed her mother (not a common occurrence) and police said she can not go home or have contact with mom for two weeks pending a hearing. Mom required surgery to repair a wound. Daughter is afraid of phones, etc. I think many hoarders are probably mentally ill.