Hoarders: Get rid of all that stuff

NEW HARTFORD — Judging by the proliferation of television shows on hoarders, there must be something entertaining about seeing someone’s house so cluttered with papers and junk that goat paths need to be formed to get through it all. But if this phenomenon is happening to you, you may have a serious psychological issue.

That’s the bottom line of a talk by New Hartford-based professional organizer Linda Pulford, who will visit the Passiflora Tea Room in New Hartford Thursday, June 3, at 7 p.m.

“Hoarding is not limited to class or wealth,†Pulford said in an interview at Passiflora Monday morning. “I see lawyers, doctors and other professionals who are hoarders.â€

While there are many specific factors involved in the compulsive collecting and piling of items in one’s domicile, Pulford said the behavior is generally related to anxiety disorders.

“There’s always a reason for it,†she said. “There could be a death or a trauma, where someone is keeping memories. It could be because they were deprived of something in the past. I had one woman who had piles of arts and crafts supplies. She told me the only good times she remembered were with her mom doing arts and crafts.â€

Sometimes hoarded items represent missed opportunities. Other times they represent a fantasy life in the future. Either way, Pulford encourages people to recognize they are hoarding but she does not force them to throw anything away. Just like psychoanalysis, the process usually begins slowly.

“This is not like the show ‘Clean House,’ where people come in and just throw everything away,†Pulford said. “The process is very slow and gentle. You have to be patient. It can take months of work.â€

Pulford has to be sure a client is ready to start the process before any work can take place.

“It helps to raise awareness and tolerance with hoarders,†Pulford added. “People need to know that forced cleanouts are not the way to go. In the case of severe hoarding, a therapist on the team is helpful.â€

For anyone who thinks hoarding may be a problem at home, Pulford will discuss issues related to hoarding at her talk and she invites people to bring questions. Passiflora does not serve dinner during programs, so arrive early if you want to eat.

The program is free but registration is required. Call 860-379-8327 or visit farmingtonvalleyorganizing.com for information.

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