What I learned from the TV Show Hoarders
I first learned about the hoarding phenomenon on Oprah a few years ago. I thought that it was just a very interesting idea that was worth about one episode and then we’d never hear about it again. I just couldn’t imagine that there were so many people who were living in their homes with such drastic conditions. This was difficult for me to undersand because I’d rather have a few really beautiful, functional items in my house like Franke sinks.
Of course, I knew there were plenty of messy people out there but this is just beyond being cluttered. It really focuses on a mental disorder that requires you to keep items that have no value or use. Some of these items could actually be useful, but they just overtake these peoples home so much that it incapacitates them basically. Then, A&E started a hoarding show. I really didn’t think they’d be able to keep it going every week let alone for several seasons. I just thought that we had already seen all the hoarders after a few episodes.
Now TLC is coming out with a very similar show. These shows always quote that there are hundreds of thousands or even millions of hoarders and I’m starting to really believe them. Now whenever someone seems to try to keep people out of their house I wonder if this is what is going on.
