Bio-One of Poway decontamination and biohazard cleaning services

How Hoarding Can Put Families' Lives at Risk

How Hoarding Can Put Families' Lives at Risk

Why is hoarding such a dangerous problem? Because it can put family's lives at risk. Hoarding is a deep problem that can have devastating consequences for families. It can lead to physical and mental health problems, financial difficulties, and even death. If you don't have a remote idea of how to clean hoarding, getting help is important. Many resources are available to help understand how these conditions affect people.

The first step is to educate yourself about the dangers of hoarding. This will help you better understand the problem and how it can impact your family. At Bio-One of Poway, our professional cleaners are always ready to clean hoarding situations with deep care and compassion.

Hoarding Disorder & How It Affects Families

Hoarding disorder is a mental condition that affects about 1 in 50 people in the United States. It was recognized as a mental health condition by the American Psychiatric Association when it was included in The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, in May 2013.

It is characterized by an excessive and persistent difficulty discarding items and an urge to collect and save objects, even if those items are of no value or are harmful to keep. People with hoarding disorder may have difficulty getting rid of things, even if they don't need them or they're causing problems.

Hoarding can be a serious problem for families. It can lead to physical and mental health problems, financial difficulties, and in the worst cases, even death. Mental health conditions left untreated increase the risks of harm to the victim and their family members.

Common Risk Factors of Hoarding Disorder

Many factors can increase the risk of developing hoarding behaviors. These include:

  • Anxiety disorders: People with anxiety disorders are more likely to develop hoarding.
  • Major Depressive Disorder: Depression is a common comorbidity in people with hoarding disorder.
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): OCD is another common comorbidity in people with hoarding disorder.
  • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): People with ADHD are more likely to hoard because of impulsivity and difficulty organizing and keeping track of things.
  • Stressful life events: Traumatic experiences, such as the death of a loved one or a natural disaster, can trigger hoarding behavior.
  • Genetics: There is evidence that hoarding disorder may be genetic.

What Are the Consequences of Hoarding?

The consequences of hoarding can be both physical and mental. On the physical side, hoarding can lead to unsanitary living conditions and an increased risk of accidents and injuries. Hoarded homes are often cluttered and crammed full of stuff, leaving little room to move around, creating trip hazards, and making it difficult to exit the home in an emergency.

Mentally, hoarding can be extremely distressing for both the individual and their loved ones. The condition can cause isolation, social anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. Hoarding can also lead to financial problems, as the individual may struggle to keep up with rent or mortgage payments. In severe cases, hoarding can even lead to eviction.

If you or someone you know is struggling with hoarding, it's important to seek help. With the right treatment, people with hoarding disorder can live normal, happy lives!

What You Can Do to Help Someone Dealing with Mental Disorders

If you have a friend or family member dealing with any kind of mental disorder, you can do a few things to help. First, educate yourself about the disorder. This will help you better understand what your loved one is going through and how you can best support them.

It's also important to be respectful of your loved one's wishes. If they don't want to talk about their disorder or don't want you to come over to their house, respect their wishes. Forcing them to do something they're uncomfortable with will only make things worse.

Finally, offer your support. Just let your loved ones know you're there for them and willing to help in any way you can. Sometimes, just knowing someone cares can make all the difference.

If you or someone you know is struggling with hoarding disorder, many resources are available to help. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and the International OCD Foundation also offers support groups and educational programs for people with hoarding disorder and their loved ones. Talking to your doctor is a good first step if you're unsure where to start. They can help connect you with resources in your area.

Clean hoarding before and after.
Bio-One of Poway can help you or your loved one with hoarding cleanup!

HELP FIRST, BUSINESS SECOND!

Bio-One is always ready to react to unanticipated events like death, significant accidents, and hazardous situations. In the following areas of San Diego County, we provide cleaning and restoration services:

Sanitation, Disinfection & Decontamination Services

Hoarding Cleanup and Decluttering Services

Your Local Last Responder for Life's Most Difficult Situations

Bio-One is the best choice for assisting victims and their families if a suicide, homicide, unattended death, crime scene, or traumatic situation occurs. In addition to emergency services, Bio-One, a locally-owned company, also offers biohazard cleanup services for commercial and residential properties.

We understand that biohazardous material can be a great source of stress for property owners, so we work quickly and efficiently to minimize the disruption it causes.

We collaborate with local law enforcement, neighborhoods, emergency services personnel, victim support organizations, hoarding task forces, apartment complexes, insurance company carriers, and others to provide the best service possible.

Proudly Serving San Diego County & Surrounding Communities

We proudly serve the following San Diego County, CA cities and surrounding communities: Cardiff, Del Mar, Descanso, El Cajon, Encinitas, Escondido, Julian, La Jolla, Lakeside, Mount Laguna, Poway, Ramona, Rancho Santa Fe, San Diego, Santee, and Solana Beach.

Bio-One of Poway is a proud member of the Poway Chamber of Commerce. Our cleaning services are available 24/7, 365 days a year. We have the expertise to clean up any hoarded property in a prompt manner. Give us a call at 858-261-4527 for a free estimate!