http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/tags/hoarding It's Time to Act. OCD Action provides support and information for people affected by Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:12:46 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/search.php http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/obsessive-compulsive-hoarder/page/2#post-62102 Sat, 24 Dec 2011 21:36:57 +0000 wannabefree 62102@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>I agree too... Sometimes it's the people without the qualifications that can see the way to help at a moment of crisis... That's not taking away from the qualified ones, cos theyare the best to give us meds and therapy, but for everything else, we find sufferers alongside us give us the courage to fight on... My thanks goes out to all you lovely people on here who help me fight on...<br /> wannabe </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/obsessive-compulsive-hoarder/page/2#post-62074 Sat, 24 Dec 2011 13:15:06 +0000 Truddles 62074@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p><blockquote>when the free gift of humanity and compassion was shown to be far more effective.</blockquote> I couldn't agree more, this is why our forum works so well. </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/obsessive-compulsive-hoarder/page/2#post-62072 Sat, 24 Dec 2011 12:34:43 +0000 bethany 62072@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>Tess, I could not agree more. A sad reflection indeed. </p> <p>Actually, a similar thing happened in a documentary about agoraphobia. The professionals seemed impatient with one of the three ‘patients’ and it was one of the sufferers who helped the other two far more than the professionals, one of which seemed quite short-tempered. Sadly, the young man who helped the women, and who achieved so much himself, deteriorated rapidly after the documentary was filmed. (They gave an update, three months on). </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/obsessive-compulsive-hoarder/page/2#post-62062 Sat, 24 Dec 2011 11:02:06 +0000 Tess 62062@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>I read the link plus a couple of pages of comment - I think the thing that has struck me most about the programme and it's aftermath is that the two people who seem to have come out the worst in public opinion are the psychologist and the vicar - and they were the very two acting in a professional capacity. I find this a very sad reflection on the way in which bureaucracy is tying the hands of the medical profession and how the need for income and desire for status is affecting the role of the church - and we are all paying for this out of our taxes and charitable giving when the free gift of humanity and compassion was shown to be far more effective. </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/obsessive-compulsive-hoarder/page/2#post-62043 Fri, 23 Dec 2011 21:48:20 +0000 wannabefree 62043@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>Me too, BT... I've got my thoughts on it, and just need to concentrate on trying to fix my own OCD, though that may sound a bit selfish... I think it was a fair programme in its' own way, but we all need to look after ourselves now, and each other too... And we're doing it! &lt;img src=&quot;http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/bb-plugins/bb-smilies/default/icon_smile.gif&quot; title=&quot;:-)&quot; class=&quot;bb_smilies&quot; /&gt; <br /> wannabe </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/obsessive-compulsive-hoarder/page/2#post-62026 Fri, 23 Dec 2011 13:46:42 +0000 bethany 62026@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>P.S. There are many comments on that page from the public. I'm not sure whether I want to read them, though! </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/obsessive-compulsive-hoarder/page/2#post-62025 Fri, 23 Dec 2011 13:40:21 +0000 bethany 62025@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>I was sending a link to a friend who missed the documentary and saw this:</p> <p><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-16299670" rel="nofollow">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-16299670</a> </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/obsessive-compulsive-hoarder#post-61979 Thu, 22 Dec 2011 21:41:36 +0000 wannabefree 61979@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>Hi everyone... I Agree about the landscape gardener... A really nice chap... And managed to be really kind, and that was what really helped... I couldn't understand the fireman, there was no point installing smoke alarms cos the poor chap would have been trapped in his home... I felt great sympathy for Mr Wallace too... There but for the grace of god go I...<br /> wannabe </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/obsessive-compulsive-hoarder#post-61959 Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:36:03 +0000 tizzkins 61959@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>Hi alll some very interesting points of view. I was amazed at the fire brigade and that they could do no more than fit some smoke alarms. At least the psychologist got them involved. Surely the papers near the gas light were a potential fire hazzard?</p> <p>I also felt that Richard either didnt realise or maybe didnt want to admit that there was a problem which i think we could all see from the start.</p> <p>As for the villagers well in all honesty until i started suffering with ocd i had never heard of it let alone understood it so maybe its a case of the villagers taking Richard at face value rather than seeing that he had a mental illness. </p> <p>It was quite a moving programme and i would love to know how Richard is doing six months down the line.</p> <p>Take care all<br /> Liz </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/obsessive-compulsive-hoarder#post-61945 Thu, 22 Dec 2011 13:12:40 +0000 bethany 61945@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>I think we would all like a friend like the landscape gardener, Blueboy.</p> <p>Trudy, there seems to be some debate now as to whether hoarding should be classed as OCD. Some feel different genes are responsible and the two conditions should be classed separately. Having said that, I know many people who obviously have OCD who are hoarders. Wonder if some are splitting hairs. I do that too, but that’s a form of trich, isn’t it…? </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/obsessive-compulsive-hoarder#post-61943 Thu, 22 Dec 2011 12:46:58 +0000 blueboy 61943@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>wish i had a friend like the landscape gardener </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/obsessive-compulsive-hoarder#post-61941 Thu, 22 Dec 2011 12:41:07 +0000 Truddles 61941@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>BT, I was so busy watching with horror him lighting the gas stove that I didn't notice the light.<br /> <blockquote>Wasn't the landscape gardener so kind. He achieved so much without the specialist's knowledge. There's a moral there. </blockquote> See a landscape gardener if you have compulsive hoarding &lt;img src=&quot;http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/bb-plugins/bb-smilies/default/icon_wink.gif&quot; title=&quot;:wink:&quot; class=&quot;bb_smilies&quot; /&gt; <br /> Yes, the landscape gardener has to be commended for his insight into what was an extremely difficult situation with neither side willing to talk to each other.<br /> I also think that the title of the programme was misleading as it would seem that he's a compulsive hoarder not someone with OCD. </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/obsessive-compulsive-hoarder#post-61936 Thu, 22 Dec 2011 12:12:04 +0000 Tess 61936@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>The other thing I have found so interesting about this programme and the ensuing discussion is how members on here feel about the villagers. As most of you know I live in Cornwall and the village society as portrayed in the programme is very similar to the way things are down here. I've lived right across the west country and all communities are organised in a similar way - admittedly there is probably a little less affluence here but the villages with their clubs and activities and the general attiude of those who consider themselves to be upright citizens is much the same as shown on the programme. It's only when you get below that veneer of having to demonstratre conformity to society's expectations that you can start to see each person as an individual with their own problems. Even the vicars have a very difficult task trying to keep everyone happy and to keep the churches financialy afloat. As for the village competitions they may seem very petty in the big scheme of things but when you have no amenities other than a village hall these events are vital to hold communities together. </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/obsessive-compulsive-hoarder#post-61935 Thu, 22 Dec 2011 11:46:02 +0000 bethany 61935@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>Tess, I was writing as you were, but I see we feel the same way about much of the documentary! Wasn't the landscape gardener so kind. He achieved so much without the specialist's knowledge. There's a moral there. </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/obsessive-compulsive-hoarder#post-61934 Thu, 22 Dec 2011 11:44:50 +0000 bethany 61934@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>I agree with what Trudy said. But, I also agree with Wannabe about the snobbishness of most of the residents.</p> <p>However, the young landscape gardener put the psychologist to shame, because not only did he show compassion, but his gentle approach seemed to make poor Richard aware that he did indeed have a serious problem. He had, by the end of the programme, agreed to counselling and appeared to make a start on the inside of the house. I would like to think it all had a happy ending, but I’m afraid I have my doubts. I’ve watched a few programmes about hoarding and (apart from a documentary about two brothers) this is by far the most serious case I‘ve seen. Many hoarders seem quite content to live amongst piles of clutter, but, as Richard said, he isn’t living but existing. Also, as Trudy pointed out, he isn’t just storing useless items but rubbish, much of it unsanitary. It was also evident how little food he was able to eat and not being able to lie down must be terrible. I felt so claustrophobic watching him crawling from one room to another through such tiny gaps.</p> <p>Trudy, it wasn’t just the naked flame that was highly dangerous, but even his light bulb hanging so close to piles of paper could catch light. As you said, what was the fire brigade thinking.</p> <p>Citaloman, I think you are right about channels 4 and 5. Such documentaries are produced primarily for sensationalism. However, I think it showed the majority of villagers up and clearly portrayed Richard’s suffering. Certainly a couple of people I know (without OCD) felt deep sympathy for him and disliked most of the villagers with their wretched flower competition. I thought the vicar was rather harsh, too. </p> <p>Blueboy, I think scientists do now know the cause of hoarding and it’s genetic. They have either discovered the particular genes responsible or are close to doing so. I think with some (maybe Richard?) people with such a predisposition become extreme hoarders after a traumatic event.<br /> This seemed to occur to two brothers, who were even storing urine, after the loss of their parents. They could literally throw nothing away. </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/obsessive-compulsive-hoarder#post-61933 Thu, 22 Dec 2011 11:44:43 +0000 Tess 61933@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>I'm quite surpprised to find this programme has roused such strong feelings - I watched it and felt the filming portrayed both sides of a very difficult dilemma in a largely unbiassed way. The only person who really annoyed me was the firefighter who couldn't keep a straight face which I thought very unprofessional while he was on camera. I found it a very interesting programme - I was very unimpressed with the psychologist who walked away because Mr Wallace was unable to accept that he had a mental health problem, this is something which has always infuriated me, a person cannot be treated until they accept they need treatment yet their very disorder prevents them from being able to understand they are ill. Yet the landscape gardener with no knowledge of mental health matters acheived a breakthough by purely offering friendship, compassion and some help with physical work. I got the feeling that some of the villagers also discovered that ignoring and fencing in the problem was counterproductive and that befriending Mr Wallace and trying to make him feel part of the community was much more likely to achieve progress.<br /> I think we can all learn important lessons from this programme. </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/obsessive-compulsive-hoarder#post-61921 Thu, 22 Dec 2011 00:45:43 +0000 blueboy 61921@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>i remain neutrel on this ,except that it is a very difficult subject for all concerned.. not least the man concerned; and as we all know ..the human mind does not fit into psychological neat little boxes..they dont really know what causes hoarding. </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/obsessive-compulsive-hoarder#post-61920 Thu, 22 Dec 2011 00:16:52 +0000 Truddles 61920@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>This will have to be quick as I've been struggling for hours to finish the washing and desperately need to get to bed as don't feel at all well.</p> <p>It didn't say that OCD was immoral, the man was saying that the situation, that is having to live with the rubbish was immoral. Mr Wallace didn't help his case by saying that if people rubbed him up the wrong way then he would deliberately collect more rubbish.<br /> The programme was made because of the court case and not because of the competition.<br /> I hoard as part of my OCD (but not rubbish) and think that he was treated fairly by the programme makers especially as they kindly called it clutter, when most of it was rubbish, a lot of it insanitary.</p> <p>My sympathies were mainly with the people living in the other half of the semi that he had filled with his highly flammable rubbish.</p> <p>What I want to know is what the hell where the fire brigade thinking of? They put in some smoke detectors but didn't take steps to disconnect the cooker - a naked flame surrounded by flammable material &lt;img src=&quot;http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/bb-plugins/bb-smilies/default/icon_neutral.gif&quot; title=&quot;:|&quot; class=&quot;bb_smilies&quot; /&gt; </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/obsessive-compulsive-hoarder#post-61912 Wed, 21 Dec 2011 22:47:52 +0000 slogsweep 61912@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>You didn't Wannabe, the only thing that has upset me is the dross of this programme. Things are getting better for him now, the compulsory TV gimmick. Probably hoping we'd forget about the derisory way in which the disorder was portrayed for the majority of the programme.</p> <p>I'll see what others say, if the reaction is bad I'll be one of hopefully many to make a complaint. As you can probably tell I'm not impressed!</p> <p>Sorry Wannabe if my anger's made you worry, you've nothing to worry about at all! You're one of the kindest people on here. </p> <p>Slog </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/obsessive-compulsive-hoarder#post-61911 Wed, 21 Dec 2011 22:44:09 +0000 wannabefree 61911@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>Yes Slog, you are right... There wouldn't have been a programme made if those very posh people didn't want to win a competition... It certainly didn't really achieve much, for the chap himself, save fixing his garden... I agree in hindsight that the fence wasn't really fair on Mr Wallace... I was amazed at how la de dah the residents of the village were... Real stockbroker belt...<br /> I wouldn't want to live amongst people like that, they were snobs a lot of them...<br /> Sorry if I upset anyone by my thoughts... I watched the thing from end to end, and didn't seem the chap as compusive anyway...<br /> wannabe </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/obsessive-compulsive-hoarder#post-61910 Wed, 21 Dec 2011 22:38:26 +0000 citaloman 61910@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>Channel 4 will only make shows like that for one reason..! To let you stare and gawp at something unusual. Channel 5 are just as bad. Don't worry about it, I didn't watch it as I knew the line they would take. Fair play to him I say. </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/obsessive-compulsive-hoarder#post-61906 Wed, 21 Dec 2011 22:27:06 +0000 slogsweep 61906@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>But why are they helping him Wannabe, to save their own backs more than likely. Not to help a seriously ill and vulnerable man. Also, what the hell were Sky News doing? </p> <p>Middle England never ceases to amaze me. </p> <p>Slog </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/obsessive-compulsive-hoarder#post-61905 Wed, 21 Dec 2011 22:23:44 +0000 slogsweep 61905@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>I mean yes living next door to his house wouldn't be ideal, but fencing in a human being to win some poxy flower competition is more immoral than OCD ever will be. I knew it was a bad sign when nobody on here was praising the programme. </p> <p>I'm actually livid with the inhumane treatment of this poor man. No wonder it takes us 9 months to get treatment if the general public would rather have us fenced away! &lt;img src=&quot;http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/bb-plugins/bb-smilies/default/icon_exclaim.gif&quot; title=&quot;:!:&quot; class=&quot;bb_smilies&quot; /&gt; </p> <p>The man is ill. I hope the entire village feel so ashamed. </p> <p>Extremely livid. Sorry but I'm just dumfounded with pure rage. Think I might write to C4 and Ofcom if the programme continues in this way. </p> <p>Slog </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/obsessive-compulsive-hoarder#post-61904 Wed, 21 Dec 2011 22:20:12 +0000 wannabefree 61904@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>Have just watched it, it wasn't too bad, the situation that Mr Wallace finds himself in was handled quite sensitively and well... I was amazed at how much stuff he'd got in his home... To begin with it was a bit of a struggle, but they got the garden sorted out for him... The neighbours turned out in force to help him... It was only the beginning of a long journey though, cos they didn't get much done inside the house... I had to watch the whole programme to get the full viewpoint... He was finding it difficult to part with anything, much as I do.... I missed the bit where it was given that OCD be immoral, which it most certainly isn't, OCD is a normal condition for many, but I don't think it really covered OCD in my form...<br /> wannabe </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/obsessive-compulsive-hoarder#post-61903 Wed, 21 Dec 2011 22:18:24 +0000 thinkingincodes 61903@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>Me too slog. I'm nearly in tears. I'm so so angry! How is having OCD immoral? &lt;img src=&quot;http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/bb-plugins/bb-smilies/default/icon_sad.gif&quot; title=&quot;:(&quot; class=&quot;bb_smilies&quot; /&gt; </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/obsessive-compulsive-hoarder#post-61902 Wed, 21 Dec 2011 22:16:14 +0000 slogsweep 61902@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>I'm 15 mins in on C4+1 and am really angry and saddened. </p> <p>How did those who watched it at 9 feel?</p> <p>Slog </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/obsessive-compulsive-hoarder#post-61890 Wed, 21 Dec 2011 20:17:23 +0000 slogsweep 61890@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>Oh dear, not the Daily Mail, probably advocating for the mentally ill to be euthanised en masse. </p> <p>Normal news gives me anxiety, let alone the evil dross that rag publishes! &lt;img src=&quot;http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/bb-plugins/bb-smilies/default/icon_smile.gif&quot; title=&quot;:-)&quot; class=&quot;bb_smilies&quot; /&gt; </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/obsessive-compulsive-hoarder#post-61889 Wed, 21 Dec 2011 20:11:58 +0000 chazinglasgow 61889@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p><blockquote>You have a human right to hoard (even if your junk can be seen from space): Court victory for eccentric homeowner</blockquote> - Daily Mail has the story with pics @<br /> <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2076822/Richard-Wallace-hoarded-rubbish-seen-space.html">Daily Mail Hoarding story</a> &lt;img src=&quot;http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/bb-plugins/bb-smilies/default/icon_eek.gif&quot; title=&quot;8O&quot; class=&quot;bb_smilies&quot; /&gt; </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/obsessive-compulsive-hoarder#post-61888 Wed, 21 Dec 2011 20:01:49 +0000 playthoseblues 61888@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>Hmm, I might not watch it tonight, but I want to see what the feedback is. I may record it. </p> http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/topic/obsessive-compulsive-hoarder#post-61887 Wed, 21 Dec 2011 20:00:23 +0000 blueboy 61887@http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/ <p>I PUT IT ON MY MOBILE CALLANDER.. SO WILL BLEEP BEFORE ITS ON AND ALSO ON MY TV PLANNER ...THAT IT WILL GO AUTOMTACLY ON.. TO IT. I CANT FORGET THEN! &lt;img src=&quot;http://www.ocdaction.org.uk/forums/bb-plugins/bb-smilies/default/icon_lol.gif&quot; title=&quot;:lol:&quot; class=&quot;bb_smilies&quot; /&gt; </p>