Compulsive Hoarding is a highly misunderstood form of OCD. A new documentary series hopes to educate the public about hoarding behavior by observing people who are trying to overcome hoarding disorders. We will offer both clutter cleaning services and therapy throughout the process. See our website at hoardersdocumentary.com or email at hoarders@sfpseattle.com

My neighbor is living like this. Her poor daughter has to keep her mothers secret.

loveboats: are there any other places that you know of besides U of M? are there differing levels or types of the disorder that you have learned of? is there any "behavioral therapy" techniques that you know of that can help NOW? Thanks!

My boyfriend is a hoarder and so is his mother. I do not even go over for a visits anymore. I told him I would not come over until he cleans up his act. He says he pick up the habit from his mother. He does not want to throw anything away. He also writes everything down on pieces of papers and I do not know why he does this, because later on he can never find that phone number or name he wrote down to keep. He even has his truck full of stuff. I told him that his mother might hoard because she does not want him to bring anybody over. He takes care of her (she 91)years old, he's the baby of five children and none of the other children will come over because they too are fed up with this problem.

Hello All! I have been living with this situation for over 10 years now! My husband collects everything and does not want to throw anything away. He collects egg cartons, empty milk containers, baby food jars, newspapers, boxes, etc. What can I do to make him realize he has a problem?

People I have a close sibling with OCD and hoarding. Go to the U of M Anxiety Clinic in Ann Arbor, and join OCD support groups. Perform behavioral therapy, and don't be ashamed, it's not your fault, but do seek help!

Hi pudgefan- does your mom go out very much..have any social life? what is her approximate age? Does she live alone, and how would you say she spends most of her time?

Maybe Carolyn Clifford knows of a source to help us "clean up" our act!! Or give a hand to get the ball rolling..Carolyn are you out there??

pugdefan..I forgot to mention that my mom had it too..When I noticed that it had worsened (change in hygeine), I realized that it was more (it was. Make sure that your mom is not also suffering from depression, pseudo-depression, or any other type of cognitive change. MANY people with this disorder are so neat and tidy, with impeccable outward appearances, that you would never know the problem (and turmoil) that they were hiding. My point is that poor hygeine is not necessarily a symptom. What is her home like? I don't buy tons of "stuff" likemany on the COH websites- I have no place for them! I can't even let my landlord in to fix my toilt, furnace, or washer-so that makes my living situation even more of an obstacle (having to shlep to the laundromat). I ask what her "hoarding" consists of because the solutions may be different. If you want to share, please do... Thanks.

Hi mackinaw416-read your comment..I too was seeing a therapist,and don't think she got it. It was so embarrassing to even mention it to her. The isolation that I feel is tremendous. I had an outlet (work), but then I got into an accident and lost my job. I was then totally consummed by assisting in my mother's care (Alzheimer's). Between the mail, bills, junk mail, newspapers, etc., etc., I have a little path to travel- a maze so to speak. My mom passed, and between the grief surrounding that, losing my job/income,declining health, and no family, the problem has worsened!! It is such a vicious cycle. The anti-depressant medication did not help-as the situation remains the same (and it worsened my neurological problems). The therapist in the video said that the person is not aware of the problem-that is not the case with me (or you apparently). I can't just trash everything because I know there are important papers (i.e. checks, tax info), that I need to finalyze my mother's affairs (and my own business). Where to go for help? I don't know..maybe putting it out there will help us both. Wishing you the best!