[Perfect Pony]

Does anyone else watch these shows and just think the people should be put out of their misery (shot)? I seriously don't get it at all, and the people themselves seem so un-aware and unable to see what they are doing.

I guess I just get so angry because so many people on earth have NOTHING. To see the waste and environmental destruction...and all the crap. Well, it just makes me sad about what we have become.

[vxf111]

It's a mental illness, like alcoholism or OCD, it's not really something inflicted individuals can control (without treatment).

I do watch the shows, sick fascination.

[Perfect Pony]

It's a mental illness, like alcoholism or OCD, it's not really something inflicted individuals can control (without treatment).

I do watch the shows, sick fascination.

I do understand they are mentally ill, but what a horrible Western illness. It makes me sad what our "consumer" culture has created, hoarders, morbid obesity, "depression" and widespread prescription and illegal drug abuse. It's all interrelated, and so sad.

[BaaramuLuke]

Those folks suffer from a pretty deep-seated mental illness, and like an addict, it can be as horrible for them as it to those who live with them. No one wants to live like that, thankfully, there are professionals who can help them if they want out.
The TV shows? I wonder if they aren't just allowing us to be voyeurs or if they are there to serve to help others recognize themselves and seek out help.
I think I understood your frustration with them, but if I were a hoarder, and you were confronting me about it like that, I think I would be ashamed but defensive, something you may have seen in their responses to confrontation about it.
I've seen them, the clutter ones and the animal ones, it's hard to watch.

[Melissa.Hare.Jones]

Why would you assume this is only a "western" problem? Mental disorders (hoarding is not a recognized mental illness) cross all cultural boundaries.

[vxf111]

I don't think hoarders hoard out of consumerism (i.e. I want to have the MOST AND BEST STUFF). They hoard for all sorts of reasons-- covering up pain they can't address, wanting to "hold on" and not have life pass them buy, a sense of being frugal and not wasteful, obsessive irges, really deep-seeded fears, etc. I really don't think it's anything at all close to "I want stuff and stuff and stuff" because I like to shop. It's an OCD-like inability to control behavior. I feel sad for these people. I think they suffer TERRIBLY, just terribly. They don't enjoy living in squalor, they just can't help themselves.

[BaaramuLuke]

Why would you assume this is only a "western" problem? Mental disorders (hoarding is not a recognized mental illness) cross all cultural boundaries.

OOps on the "mental illness", apologies for the ignorance. I'm guessing you're the one to ask...difference between mental disorder and mental illness? To learn is to not make the same mistake twice!

[Coanteen]

OOps on the "mental illness", apologies for the ignorance. I'm guessing you're the one to ask...difference between mental disorder and mental illness? To learn is to not make the same mistake twice!

No, I think they meant that hoarding doesn't have its own classification as a distinct mental disorder/illness. Technically you're not diagnosed with "hoarding", but with OCD or possibly anxiety.
This may change with the release of the next DSM.

[vacation1]

Having spent years refereeing a family split down the middle between collectors and spartans, I'm sick of the morality play that the spartan side typically invokes. The people shown on "Hoarders" are extreme; that's not most people who just have too much stuff. But believe me, even when the collectors are not extreme, the spartans ARE. They don't rest until the collector has trashed his/her last damned teaspoon; they're just as obsessive/compulsive in their starkness as the collectors are in their messiness. Both sides are control freaks.

Does anyone else watch these shows and just think the people should be put out of their misery (shot)? I seriously don't get it at all, and the people themselves seem so un-aware and unable to see what they are doing. I guess I just get so angry because so many people on earth have NOTHING. To see the waste and environmental destruction...and all the crap. Well, it just makes me sad about what we have become.

Your claim to deep moral concern for pollution and poverty is not particularly believable when you talk about putting people out of their misery. In my experience, it's the people who grow that deeply frustrated with their lack of control over others who are the most miserable. Maybe you should worry that kind, progressive folk who worry about poverty and pollution will come shoot you. For your own good, of course.

[MunchingonHay]

anyone find it funny that Extreme Couponing is on After Hoarding?

[retreadeventer]

You go girl!

[Perfect Pony]

Your claim to deep moral concern for pollution and poverty is not particularly believable when you talk about putting people out of their misery. In my experience, it's the people who grow that deeply frustrated with their lack of control over others who are the most miserable. Maybe you should worry that kind, progressive folk who worry about poverty and pollution will come shoot you. For your own good, of course.

Oh brother. It all fits in perfectly actually. Poverty and pollution could be helped immensely from population control and a little culling. I am doing my part and not breeding.

I don't find it surprising that most of the hoarders are also morbidly obese. And often also abusers of others.

[Pirateer]

I don't find it surprising that most of the hoarders are also morbidly obese. And often also abusers of others.

Most of America is morbidly obese.

[vacation1]

Oh brother. It all fits in perfectly actually. Poverty and pollution could be helped immensely from population control and a little culling. I am doing my part and not breeding.

I don't find it surprising that most of the hoarders are also morbidly obese. And often also abusers of others.

And I hear they whip kittens. Kittens!

[darkmoonlady]

Shooting hoarders seems kinda harsh don't you think? Child molestors you might have a point but hoarders? They are NOT the ones contributing to pollution or population issues, think soccer moms driving gas guzzling SUV's to Costco five times a week and the Duggars 19 and counting kids. Most hoarders hoard things that other people would throw away so if anything they are warehousing large quantities of stuff that'd end up in a landfill. (I'm being sarcastic and I hope you were too, shooting people for that is just sad).

[EqTrainer]

And I hear they whip kittens. Kittens!

I heard that too! Kittens!

[Artful]

Let me see if I have this straight...

The OP is advocating killing the obese and mentally ill?
While you're at it, do you think you should kill someone because they're black, or Jewish, or female? (or is that too passe for you, having been done too many times before).

Why don't you advocate killing the poor? After all, they're taking up space and not really producing anything except excess children.

Wow. Such compassion.....and on Good Friday, of all days.

[AliCat518]

I didnt read all of the responses...
but im dating someone who's family is HOARDERS. to the extreme. The only difference between them and the people on TV is that they have the money and the room to hoard without looking crazy. SO's g-pa has garages for 25 plus cars (all which are filled with cars) plus a 6-8 car garage full of STUFF. Granted, some of it was for his job, but there are drawers and drawers and cupboards and cupboards of CRAP. He also had a 2 car garage on his house that you couldnt even walk though because it was so full. There is an on going contest of who can find the most expired food item. I found something today from 93. EWWWW.

My SO already has hoarding signs....he keeps all sandiwch meat "ziplock cases"....he has about 40...he has about 10 phone books. He wont get rid of ANYTHING.

The people on TV are definitely mentally ill...psychotherapy is SO helpful. Im hoping my SO wont need it....

[dani0303]

I find it very sad. Unfortunately most of them don't get the help they need until it's WAYYY too late. My Dad always seemed to have minor hoarding issues, but Mom never EVER let it get out of hand. I was curious to see what would happen after Mom passed away but so far (8 months later) he doesn't seem to have collected an abundance of "stuff". I definitely hope it stays this way.

What I find even worse are the animal hoarders. Those poor creatures have to suffer because of it

[Shiaway]

Let me see if I have this straight...

The OP is advocating killing the obese and mentally ill?
While you're at it, do you think you should kill someone because they're black, or Jewish, or female? (or is that too passe for you, having been done too many times before).

Why don't you advocate killing the poor? After all, they're taking up space and not really producing anything except excess children.

Wow. Such compassion.....and on Good Friday, of all days.

Thank you. My uncle is a hoarder. And also the scientist who discovered a very important part of the regulation or the very first oncogene to be found, is a hoarder. I guess if the OP had her way my uncle and this scientist should be shot.