A historic debate in the UK Parliament has brought attention to hoarding disorder, urging the government to develop national guidelines and improve support services, amid concerns over increased cases post-Covid and underfunding of mental health resources.
The article discusses the ethical considerations of intervening in a loved one's hoarding situation, emphasizing that a wellness check may not be effective and suggesting less disruptive approaches like involving adult protective services or medical professionals. It highlights the importance of respecting the individual's autonomy while prioritizing safety through support and harm reduction strategies.
A police report reveals the horrifying conditions inside a Milwaukee home where two boys, aged seven and nine, were locked in a windowless bedroom covered in feces. The house was described as a "house of horrors" with stacks of garbage, insects crawling around, and a terrible odor. The boys escaped naked and bedraggled by smashing a window. The parents, Katie Koch and Joel Manke, were arrested and face multiple charges. The children appeared to have been living in squalor for years, lacking basic care and medical attention. If convicted, the parents could face lengthy prison terms and substantial fines.
A husband and wife have been arrested in Walker County, Georgia, in a hoarding and cruelty case involving nearly 100 animals. The couple was taken into custody after authorities discovered the animals living in deplorable conditions, with many suffering from neglect and malnutrition. The animals have been removed from the property and are receiving medical care. The couple now faces charges of animal cruelty and hoarding.
Players of the newly released game Starfield are finding themselves filling up their spaceships with useless items that serve no purpose in the game. Despite not being able to do anything with these items, players are unable to resist turning their ships into portable junkyards. While the game incentivizes selling these items, players face challenges in finding places to sell them and transporting them due to limited encumbrance. Despite the lack of functionality, some players are finding enjoyment in hoarding these items, while others are dreaming of paying off their first house with the profits.
A landlord in Qingdao, China, was shocked to find that his tenant hadn't taken out the trash in her apartment for over a year, resulting in piles of garbage reaching the windows. The landlord filmed the scene, showing the tenant sitting among the filth while playing on her phone. The smell was so putrid that the landlord thought he might vomit. After five hours of cleaning, the apartment was finally cleared, and the tenant was given a few days to find a new place to live. This incident is just one of several horror stories involving dirty living, including tenants with snakes, scorpions, tarantulas, beer cans, and even a mound of used underwear.
A man who has successfully dealt with hoarding issues in his family is struggling to combine his possessions with his fiancée's, who suffers from compulsive decluttering. They have opposing styles and are quick to label each other as having a serious disorder. A couples therapist is recommended to help them sort out, rearrange, and unpack the considerable baggage they each bring into the relationship. The author also discusses her insight into addiction, which she has studied extensively.
A man who has successfully dealt with his family's hoarding issues is struggling to combine his possessions with his fiancée's, who suffers from compulsive decluttering. They have opposing styles and are quick to label each other as having a serious disorder. A couples therapist could help them sort out their considerable baggage. In another letter, a reader wonders if their generation has raised a passel of rude-niks. Amy Dickinson, the advice columnist, has studied extensively about addiction and its relationship problems.
A man with a family history of hoarding is living with his fiancée who suffers from compulsive decluttering. He is concerned about her getting rid of his cherished possessions and labeling him as a hoarder. They need to negotiate combining their possessions and seek couples therapy to sort out their differences. The man also asks why younger generations seem to be less friendly towards strangers. Finally, the advice columnist shares her insight on addiction, which she has studied extensively.
Lana Saint Clair, a self-described "shopping addict and hoarder," turned to thrifting and vintage reselling during the pandemic, accumulating thousands of pounds of clothing and rendering her bed unusable. She called for backup from her sister to help her get rid of the excess and has since documented her recovery on TikTok. Saint Clair acknowledges the energy-draining effects of hoarding and advises others struggling with hoarding tendencies to prioritize their peace of mind over material possessions.