Hoarders

[*winter*]

The rat guy...statistics are against him...the "one" rat he kept is most likely pregnant. So, probably more rats are in the future for him.

I still can't believe they filled an 18 wheeler with rats!

The recurring theme in the show seems to be loss. Loss of people, places, things. The lady who got robbed in Detroit and left her house, but then went back "to visit" was particularly sad.

The last episode I saw, with the lady and the tapes...she lost her son in an accident, and the other person on the show started hoarding after deaths in her family. They mentioned that "stuff" can fill "a space" (albeit a physical one, not a psychological one) and that "stuff" can make people feel less alone. Or they inherited someone's stuff who died and they feel guilty about throwing it away.

I always assumed it was based in poverty, but I guess it can also be caused by loss? Interesting.

[33girl]

A lot of hoarding cases have NOTHING to do with poverty (in childhood or in the person's current life). I don't know that it always has to do with a specific loss, either. I've personally had the tendencies I have ever since I was a small child - I certainly wasn't raised in poverty and at the time, hadn't suffered any huge losses or traumas.

[ThetaPrincess24]

I dont think my mother's hoarding is totally related to loss. I think my dad kept her in check when they were married. My mother had expensive tastes if you will and always had the thought she was better than others and her "things" helped with that mentality. Once my dad left, there were no adults around to put a stop to spending, so my mom spent herself into bankrupcty trying to keep a lifestyle she could no longer afford to impress people.

I do think loss can have a role. My mom got really bad when she had to sell the house I grew up in. I think she felt all the memories left with the house and her "things" was all she had left.

I dont really know though. She is so detached from reality anymore. She doesnt get it no matter how many times you sit her down & explain it to her that she doesnt have room for all that crap, my sister and I have no interest in her crap in the present or the future, most of it represents a life that is gone and has been for 18 years and isnt coming back, she cant afford it, etc.

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by *winter*

The last episode I saw, with the lady and the tapes...she lost her son in an accident, and the other person on the show started hoarding after deaths in her family. They mentioned that "stuff" can fill "a space" (albeit a physical one, not a psychological one) and that "stuff" can make people feel less alone. Or they inherited someone's stuff who died and they feel guilty about throwing it away.

I can see that with hoarding and even compulsive shopping. The people I know who are compulsive shoppers are looking for "stuff" to fill a psychological hole.