The world of Tzu Chi December 2020(Vol.129)

How to help someone with hoarding disorder? Meet and understand the person concerned • Understand the behaviour. • Understand the emotional connections to objects. Be considerate and understanding • The hoarder cannot throw things away immediately. • Stop collecting things would make the hoarder anxious and uncomfortable. Try to accept the behaviour • Discuss and educate on hygiene and health issues. Help the hoarder • Declutter – Start with unimportant or small numbers of items. • Let the person decide how and where to start. Do not force as it would cause emotional stress. • While decluttering, listen to him (emotional process of decluttering). • Understand what that object means to the hoarder. Praise and encourage • Praise them appropriately when they start to declutter, e.g., “It looks much tidier after cleaning up.” Encourage the hoarder to participate in social activities • Leisure activities, sports, etc. • Develop new hobbies and learn new skills. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Source: Lee Voon Yee TZU CHI 129 19 Decluttering–The Art of Living