I perhaps shouldn't have posted. My intention was to add weight to the 'this isn't your issue to fix' posters, and warn that reporting to statutory services is unlikely to make anything better.
Also that loading stigma onto an already stigmatized M/H condition isn't helpful, and causes more misery and stores up future problems for many, including those who care about them.
MummyMeister IMO sometimes what you have to do is weigh up a situation and realise if you can't help (which is beyond understandable) maybe you have to accept stepping back, and not trying to now control the other person's life, beyond pointing out where things are going and where your line is drawn, and if you are a friend, helping pick up the pieces wherever they fall.
IMO deciding if someone else's issues should be interfered in because you can't help, should only happen if a vulnerable person is at risk and reporting would help make it better. Then it's a responsibility. However the description given here is of someone competent, but unrealistic and in denial.
Most hoarders are reported because someone is trusted to help, then gets frustrated or angry when they can't, but decides the person with the issue is now their responsibility for letting them in on the situation and reports them, often making the situation worse. The hardest thing can be to do nothing.
It's one of the big reasons people with the disorder often keep all their friends and family away, and wont ask for help or trust others to come in.
Thismonkeysgonetodevon I'm not referring to the op when talking about unpleasant comments and othering of people with hoarding disorder. There's cathartic humor and then there's just stereotyping.
I did make it clear I had personal experience of being on the other end of extreme hoarding. My parent was forced to choose, and eventually choose a roof over their mainly destroyed, contaminated possessions and filth, leaving me to be taken away, which freed up a tiny bit of space, at huge cost. I have a very dark sense of humor about some of it, but doubt it would be shareable here, or thought funny.
Ultimately parent lost everything including their life, and mine was damaged both by no real relationship, their illness, having to address what they left behind, and what happened to me afterwards.
Titania, I have worked alongside and at one point for, statutory services, which is what's lead me to form those opinions. It's because there's no power to enforce decluttering, but other powers can be used, that the response has quite often been to make or aid making the person homeless, despite knowing housing services will declare them intentionally homeless.
I've twice had to give evidence at coroners court as a result of that decision.
No I don't run a private service or charge, and have a low view of those charging extortionate fees to people in distress.
I volunteer with one of the few social practice services, and receive traveling and cleaning materials costs only, with a very different business that I make my living from.
As with others in the same line, I give time and energy because I've (some) insight into the condition, some empathy for those suffering it, and a practical response to dealing with filth and how people can feel about being judged for having lived in, or created it, and don't get angry or frustrated by people suffering from the condition. It's one of the few positives of growing up in it.
My user name's from the legacy that I have to have organisation and cleanliness in my own home for my sanity, not from any work I do.