Hoarding disorder is a beast.

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Do you spend an ungodly amount of time sorting your stuff? Do you acquire more possessions, knowing full well you don’t have room? Have you ever tripped over a pile in your home? Are you too embarrassed at the state of your place to invite friends over? Does your reluctance to part with things cause friction with family members?

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If so, join the club, of which I’ve been a longtime member. My name is Leslie Robinson, and I’ve never met a piece of paper I couldn’t hoard. I know the struggle. And I’m ready to help you face yours.

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The first thing to understand is that none of us asked for this burden. Hoarding disorder earned its own spot in the most recent version of the DSM, the Bible of the mental health field. It’s an illness, and if you’re afflicted, that’s not your fault.

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Another truth is that the older you get, the harder it is to cope with all your stuff. Health challenges, reduced energy, even cognitive changes make it more difficult to purge. Unless you like the idea of leaving your mountains of belongings for your family to dig through after your demise, the time to tackle your accumulations is sooner rather than later.

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It’s not easy work. If it were, you’d have done it by now. But if you’re motivated, I’m here to help you make the decisions you’ve been putting off. We’ll discuss your hoarding habits and identify where we can make change. We’ll establish what’s genuinely important to you, and, in more ways than one, lighten your load.

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We’ll make a deal. I won’t get rid of anything without your permission, and you’ll agree to be as open as you can to the idea of decluttering. I don’t aim for miracles. We won’t empty your home. My goal is to help you achieve a more balanced and fulfilling life. The kind of life, for instance, that includes having friends over again.

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