[revral]

Originally Posted by Caldercup

I am fascinated by those shows, but my DH can't watch them -- family members of his have suffered from severe depression and the sight of those homes just make his heart hurt...

Looking it at it from a depression perspective, I can see how some people could get to that point (if it isn't just a natural inclination to live in chaos and mess.) I'm so happy for the people on these TV shows who get the help cleaning up and alway am glad when it seems to have helped them deal with the situation. Hopefully, it will give them the relief they need to help solve their other issues (assuming that they have them.)

It's one of those situations that easy to make judgement about, but we need to keep in mind that not all people think, feel, and act the way we do.
Eileen

I apologize in advance if I offend as I don't mean to. However this is a very personal and therefore touchy subject for me.

Well said, Eileen. I didn't see the show but I have seen the promo's for it. Some people are hoarders and others it just sneaks up on or theirs an illness or crisis that sets off a downward spiral. I've been there perhaps for different reasons than the couple in the showand I may or may not have been as bad but I have most definitely been there. It's extremely difficult to not only dig yourself out but than keep yourself dug out and medical problems and depression don't help. Neither does judgement or attempts to shame and or guilt the person in to changing. The task of cleaning it up becomes too overwhelming and you have no idea of whereor how to start. Thanks to Flylady, I'd gotten myself dug out and was doing very well at staying that way when my grandmother died and depression hit and I backslid. Well I had just started to dig out again when my granfather died 8-9 months later followed 11 months later by my grandmother's brother and 2 months after my grandmother's brother died a friend died. Needless to say I was emotionally and mentally numb, exhausted and depressed. In fact my doctor actually asked me if I need an antidepressant. The result I did some major backsliding and 2 years later am still working to reach the place I was before my grandmother died. So if you must pass judgement please do so silently.