How to Find Help for Obsessive Hoarding
- 1). Ask for support. Whether family and friends are aware of your hoarding problem or not, it is important you have someone you can trust to support you. Hoarders often isolate themselves through fear and embarrassment, which then leads to more hoarding, says a 2009 Mayo Clinic website article.
- 2). Look after yourself. This includes ensuring you maintain good personal hygiene as well as a nutritious diet. If you are unable to access your bathroom or wash area, move items to allow you to get in and out. Clear your kitchen so you can prepare and cook meals. Remember to be safety conscious; do not leave paper or flammable objects where they may catch fire. Looking after yourself will improve your confidence, which will help when you start treatment. Maintaining good hygiene means you will not feel embarrassed when you go out.
- 3). Get appropriate help for your pets. If you are hoarding animals, a veterinarian will need to check them over to ensure they are fit and healthy. If you have a large number of animals, it is possible you have been unable to look after them properly.
- 4). Write down a list to take to your doctor. This should include what kind of symptoms you have and for how long you have had them. Make a note of any previous health issues. You should also include information on other family members who do or did suffer from hoarding. The list should also include any traumatic events you have endured during your life such as death of a parent or child, divorce or major illness, says the Mayo Clinic website. This will help your doctor tailor your treatment to suit your needs.
- 5). Visit your doctor, taking your list of symptoms and information as well as a family member or friend if they can attend. This is an important appointment for you, and you may well feel overwhelmed. If this is the case, your friend can help the doctor by asking questions and answering ones you are unsure of or unable to answer. Your doctor may refer you to a mental health specialist such as a psychiatrist. It is important to remember that no matter who you see, nobody will make your throw away any of your belongings, says Fugen Neziroglu, Ph.D., for the IOCDF website.
- 6). Understand your treatment and recovery will be a slow process. Taking small steps still gets you where you want to go, it will just take longer. Your therapist will work closely with you and will assist you in whatever way he or she believes is necessary to give you the best treatment. Think of what you want to achieve and focus on it.
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