If one of your loved ones is a hoarder, you’re no stranger to the stress and chaos it can bring. In addition to the mental health concerns, it can also put a strain on the time you can spend with that person. Hoarder cleanouts are often necessary, but they also need to be approached and handled carefully. Here are some ways to appropriately navigate the situation.

Do:

Take time to educate yourself.

To many people, the idea of hoarding seems ridiculous. Before starting hoarder cleanout, it’s important for people to take the time to learn about the condition that their loved one is struggling with. There are mental health professionals and support groups that can help both you and your loved one better understand and deal with the condition. The better able you are to understand the anxiety and fear associated with hoarding, the better positioned you’ll be to offer the necessary support and care.

Celebrate small victories.

Hoarder cleanouts don’t typically happen overnight. It’s going to be an ongoing process, and one of the best things you can do is recognize and celebrate small victories. Encourage and support your loved one for even incremental, yet positive, changes, such as cleaning out one area of a room or making the decision to seek professional help. Hoarders usually begin accumulating things over the course of years, so it’s understandable that it could take just as long to undo.

Don’t:

Take any possessions without their consent.

Hoarder cleanouts need to be handled delicately. While you may think you’re doing a loved one a favor by cleaning things out or removing items you deem unnecessary, remember that this person has developed an emotional attachment to their belongings. Removing anything without their permission can cause distress and ultimately make the situation worse.

Be an enabler.

It is incredibly difficult watching someone you love suffer. While hoarding may make them happy or comforted to some degree, it’s important to remember that it’s a response to an underlying mental health condition. Keep this in mind before inviting them to go shopping or bringing them anything that may lead to more hoarding.

Red’s Hauling Service in Chicago, IL, has 15 years of experience providing people with quality junk hauling and hoarder cleanout services. Their team of professionals goes above and beyond to help their customers keep their home or business clean and organized. Call (773) 616-0979 today to schedule an appointment, or visit them online to learn more about their services.