KANSAS CITY, Mo. (WDAF, April 28, 2014) — Helen Stringer is a professional organizer in the Kansas City metro. She says she’s worked with a number of hoarders throughout her career. She says hoarding is a psychological condition that can often cause a lot of stress not only on the hoarder, but also his or her family.
“Before it was simply a symptom of obsessive compulsive disorder, now it has its own separate diagnosis, which means people can actually get better counseling and support for you know the psychological challenges that come along with it,” Stringer said.
Stringer also says most hoarders are highly successful, energetic and creative people.
Andy, a self-proclaimed hoarder, fits that description. He’s a professional artist who never seems to stop moving. Andy’s hoarding began as a simple interest in going to auctions to find deals, over the years, that interest became a collection and eventually Andy became a hoarder. He says he’d have it no other way. He’s proud of what he has, and he never plans to get rid of his belongings.
“A lot of it is stuff that is hurt a little bit, and it’s gonna be thrown away, and I think maybe that goes to age,” Andy said. “I’m thinking, I might be old and hurt but I’m still good.”
To find out more about local hoarding resources, follow the links below:
