Compulsive Hoarding

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ByzantineHeart

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I’m pretty certain my parents are compulsive hoarders. Their house is beyond cluttered, several rooms and spaces aren’t even functional. My siblings and I used to joke about their lax house cleaning and tendency to “collect stuff,” but as they’re approaching 70, I fear for their safety and health, and am not sure how to approach this, as I’m not so sure they’d be receptive to any kind of professional help. You know how some older folks just get “set in their ways.” And my parents have been like this as long as I can remember.

In all honesty, I have a tendency to save and collect things too, and I fear deeply that I may have inherited this awful hoarding disease.

Any prayers (and knowledgeable advice!) are welcome.
 
You “fear for their safety and health”? The trait of being a packrat doesn’t endanger your health, unless the actual things stored are dangerous or they are stored dangerously.

Let them have the things they want, and have rightfully obtained for themselves, in their old age.

The only case in which you should step in is if there is actual danger to them, which I doubt.
 
Dear Lord, an excess of un-required possessions can sometimes harbor unwanted small guests that could pose some health danger! Their children may see dangers we are unaware of and undoubtedly have genuine concerns.

Lord, please give this loved couple the grace and peace to keep what they truly need and want, and to discard the remainder.

Anything not of use to themselves that may be of benefit to others, please inspire them to relinquish to where it can do most good.

Anything not of personal value, inspire them to put into recycling. In this way there is benefit to themselves, to others, and a lesser burden to their devoted children when their parents time has come to return to You.

Dear Lord please flood manifold blessings upon this family
 
ByzantineHeart said:
I’m pretty certain my parents are compulsive hoarders. Their house is beyond cluttered, several rooms and spaces aren’t even functional. My siblings and I used to joke about their lax house cleaning and tendency to “collect stuff,” but as they’re approaching 70, I fear for their safety and health, and am not sure how to approach this, as I’m not so sure they’d be receptive to any kind of professional help. You know how some older folks just get “set in their ways.” And my parents have been like this as long as I can remember.

In all honesty, I have a tendency to save and collect things too, and I fear deeply that I may have inherited this awful hoarding disease.

Any prayers (and knowledgeable advice!) are welcome.
Click to expand...
childrenofhoarders.com/wordpress/

This is a link to a website called Children of Hoarders. It’s excellent. I hope you find it helpful.

dshix, compulsive hoarding is not the same as being a packrat. It’s a mental illness, and it can be dangerous to the health and safety of the hoarders. I hope you will take a look at the Children of Hoarders website, too, and that it is useful to help you learn more about this condition. Here’s a link to an article from that website called “Collecting vs. Hoarding” childrenofhoarders.com/wordpress/?page_id=177
 
ByzantineHeart said:
I’m pretty certain my parents are compulsive hoarders. Their house is beyond cluttered, several rooms and spaces aren’t even functional. My siblings and I used to joke about their lax house cleaning and tendency to “collect stuff,” but as they’re approaching 70, I fear for their safety and health, and am not sure how to approach this, as I’m not so sure they’d be receptive to any kind of professional help. You know how some older folks just get “set in their ways.” And my parents have been like this as long as I can remember.

In all honesty, I have a tendency to save and collect things too, and I fear deeply that I may have inherited this awful hoarding disease.

Any prayers (and knowledgeable advice!) are welcome.
Click to expand...
I assume you have already talked to them about it, so don’t worry. Just think how much fun you all will have getting rid of it all :D.

I had a friend like that and she had two houses full. It took me and all the relatives two years to get rid of the stuff and settle the estate. I was a first class mess and I vowed never to help anyone do that again.

Linus2nd
 
Wow. Last night and tonight, [just now] we have been watching “Buried Alive” on TLC. Have you watched any of these programs? It may give you some ideas on how to proceed. I watch these on netflix.

It is a dangerous and expensive illness. I will say a prayer for your family.
 
We pray for your family, and ask yours for us, for patience, compromise, and persistence. We’ve observed some moderate hoarding from a distance, and are moving in that direction ourselves. I suspect there is at least a partial origin, for seniors at least, in memories of the shortages from the depression and WWII, when most people had to scrimp and save to get by. I clearly remember my Dad had box after box of used articles even after he had succeeded in becoming moderately comfortable, and I have more similar boxes than I could ever possibly ever use. If or when safety becomes an issue for either of our families, I pray someone will step in with tactful persistence. The problem, as is the case so often in our society, is where to draw the line–on the side of safety, or freedom.
 
:gopray:

Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

Glory Be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning is now ever shall be world without end
Amen.

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession, was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy, hear and answer me. Amen

:signofcross:
 
Hoarding is a form of OCD, which I have. It is an anxiety disorder, and hoarders often do what they do to cope with the anxiety. It can be triggered by stress. I’ve noticed since my mom died in 2008, my dad has gotten a little bad with keeping things. I mean, it isn’t like you see on the tv shows, but its true. And I don’t blame him. Mom died a horrible death and was our rock.

The thing is that you can see it, and that’s good. OCD/Hoarders know their behavior is irrational and wrong but can’t stop. That’s what makes it so hard. It is hard to resist change. Risk is what we have to live with.

Pray to St. Dymphna to ask for help. Talk to your parents in a respectful, not condescending way. Ask them what is bothering them, or just simply pay more attention to what they say. Sometimes they let slip what stresses them…

Private message me if you’d like to talk.
ByzantineHeart said:
I’m pretty certain my parents are compulsive hoarders. Their house is beyond cluttered, several rooms and spaces aren’t even functional. My siblings and I used to joke about their lax house cleaning and tendency to “collect stuff,” but as they’re approaching 70, I fear for their safety and health, and am not sure how to approach this, as I’m not so sure they’d be receptive to any kind of professional help. You know how some older folks just get “set in their ways.” And my parents have been like this as long as I can remember.

In all honesty, I have a tendency to save and collect things too, and I fear deeply that I may have inherited this awful hoarding disease.

Any prayers (and knowledgeable advice!) are welcome.
Click to expand...
 
***Hail Mary,
Full of Grace,
The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit
of thy womb,
Jesus.
Holy Mary,
Mother of God,
pray for us sinners now,
and at the hour of our death
Amen.

:crossrc:***
 
Lord, please grant many graces to this family for prudence, wisdom, temperance, faith, hope, and love. Keep them from all distractions that would divert their attention from loving you and neighbor. Accept their every suffering and joy in life in union with your holy Passion. Have mercy, Lord, and illuminate their lives with the warmth and radiance of the foretaste of heavenly light. Our Lady, angels, and saints, pray with us. Amen.
 
Praying for your parents. Also praying that the Lord may guide you and provide you with all necessary graces.

O Blood and Water, which gushed forth from the Heart of Jesus as a fountain of Mercy for us, I trust in You!
 
Hail Mary, full of grace,
The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners now
and at the hour of our death
Amen.
 
Praying that God shows your family that they do not have to own many things to feel secure and that the only thing that they need to be attached to in this life is everything that leads them to heaven.

Hail Mary,
Full of grace,
The Lord is with Thee.
Blessed art Thou amoungst women,
And blessed is the fruit of Thy womb,
Jesus.
Holy Mary,
Mother of God,
Pray for us sinners,
Now and at the hour of death,
Amen
:signofcross:
 
:gopray:

Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

Glory Be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning is now ever shall be world without end
Amen.

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy intercession, was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy, hear and answer me. Amen

:signofcross:
 
Praying that the Lord may guide you and your parents and provide you with all necessary graces.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen
 
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