Hording disorder is a real experience that goes beyond the sensational scenes on TV shows like

hoarders. What are the risks associated with hoarding and how can you help a loved one with this

disorder? Hello and welcome back to savvy psychologist. I'm Dr. Jade Wu and every week I'll help you meet life's challenges with

evidence-based research, a sympathetic ear and zero judgment. If you do a

Google Image search for Hoorder, you get pages of horrifying images, some featuring people on full-body hazmat suits, and face masks, all up to their hips and stuff. If you watch hoarders, the TV show, you see

dramatic shots of toxic hazards, distraught people with mascara running down their faces and supposed treatment teams yelling

profanities and threats at people. They seem like scenes from a horror

movie. But what's actually behind these sensationalized scenes?

What is hoarding disorder and how does someone develop it? Do the tactics we see on

reality TV really represent the best way to help a person with hoarding disorder?

Well, this week I'm really thrilled because I spoke with Elaine Birchall, an expert on hoarding disorder with over 18 years of experience in this area.

She's the founding force behind the Canadian National Hording Coalition,

and she's the co-author, along with Suzanne Cronkrate, of Conquer the Clutter,

Strategies to Identify, Manage, and Overcome Hoarding.

I'm really happy that she took the time to speak with us because she

takes an evidence-based and compassionate look at why people hoard and she is really good at

explaining the risk pathways that can lead someone to cross the

threshold between being cluttered to having a hoarding disorder.

And she gives really in-depth advice on how to help a loved one to begin their journey of recovery

from hoarding. So stick around and check out the interview.

Hello Elaine, welcome to the show. Thank you so much for being with us.

Thank you for inviting me. I'm delighted to be here.

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