Bio-One of Portland decontamination and biohazard cleaning services

What Is Hoarding?

What is Hoarding Disorder?

Hoarding disorder is a mental health condition that makes it very difficult to let go of personal belongings. This disorder has a wide range of affects in how it comes up in peoples lives but it usually means that the home has too much stuff and needs to be decluttered and reorganized.

How to Know if Someone is a Hoarder

Just because someone has a lot of stuff does not mean they are a hoarder. Sometimes we serve those who need to declutter and remove items they haven't gotten to in a long time. Other times we are helping those experiencing extreme emotional turmoil when they see there stuff sorted through. If a home is filled with stuff and the person living there struggles with throwing anything away, that may be a sign of hoarding disorder.   

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Different Levels Of Hoarding

Hoarding can show up in vastly different ways depending on the person. The first picture above is what a typical level 1-2 hoard looks like. The second is a typical level 4-5 hoard. Both need attention and can cause serious health and safety concerns for those living there. 

 

When To Get Help

Deciding when to get help can be a daunting and difficult task. It's always recommended to seek help when the condition of the home impedes function of critical areas like the kitchen and bathroom. So if the kitchen and bathrooms are not being fully utilized due to clutter, seeking professional help is strongly encouraged. Another sign to start looking for help is if exiting the home is difficult to do in a timely manner. This is important because if an emergency came up one would have struggles accessing important exit points. 

 

What Bio-One Can Do to Help

At Bio-One we have seen just about everything when it comes to hoarding. Our mission is to help transform peoples homes into safe and beautiful living conditions again. We do this by helping sort, throwaway, donate and organize the home. Our crew is kind, discreet and compassionate. If you need help with your situation give us a call and we would be happy to assist you.