Understanding Different Levels of Hoarders
Hoarding disorder is the inability to discard or part with goods due to a felt desire to keep them. Excessive collection of objects occurs, regardless of their actual worth. Residences can be full, with only narrow routes twisting among piles of debris.
People with hoarding disorder may be oblivious to acknowledging the condition as a problem, making therapy difficult. Therapy can assist persons suffering from hoarding disease to comprehend how their beliefs and actions can be altered to live safer, more fulfilling lives.
The Dangers of Hoarding
Compulsive hoarding is typically a symptom of some underlying mental condition. Hoarders have difficulty eliminating objects that many consider rubbish, which accumulate over time to pose a fire risk. Hoarding cleaning may necessitate personal protective equipment (PPE) depending on the extent of the hoard.
The Five Levels of Hoarding
The moment you understand the five levels of hoarding, you will be able to build a strategy specific to your loved one’s needs, just as our highly trained specialists do every day in the field.
Level One: Low-Risk Green
This level is a typical household atmosphere that is a little dirty. Clutter is not excessive, all doors and staircases are accessible, and there are no scents. The physical health of the hoarder is low risk; however, the person’s mental health is an important indicator.
Level Two: Guarded Blue
This home is habitually chaotic. Mess and smells will remain relatively minimal at Level Two Hoarding. There might also be indicators of mold and mildew growth and a rodent infestation developing. The risk is still slightly lower but higher than in a Level One hoard. A competent organizer and a property restoration company are recommended to handle water damage issues. Check out this “water mitigation company near me” page for a highly recommended water restoration service.
Level Three: Elevated Yellow
Level Three Hoarding will show much of the same symptoms as Level Two, except that scents will become noticeable. The mounds of goods and clothing spills and unhygienic conditions will represent health risks in this stage. A hoarding restoration service is an absolute necessity. Check this out for more info.
Level Four: High-Risk Orange
Sewer backup, defective electrical wiring, flea infestation, decaying food on counters, lice on beds, and pet damage to the home are common symptoms of unsanctioned hoarding. Level Four is highly hazardous to one’s health. A coordinated team of service providers like PuroClean restoration company is needed primarily to check for any fire hazards.
Level Five: Severe-Risk Red
Level Five has the most harrowing hoarding circumstances. Residences will undergo structural damage and become exceedingly dangerous. Rodent infestation is apparent, and the kitchen and bathroom are unusable because of clutter. Hoarders might collect urine in bottles that are not thrown, and human excrement may pile on the floor.
Conclusion
If you or a loved one is manifesting hoarding symptoms, seek advice from a doctor or a mental health specialist immediately. Suppose their hoarding condition jeopardizes their health or safety. You might need to alert local authorities such as public health, child or elder protective services, police, fire, or animal welfare organizations.
There is no known treatment to avoid hoarding disorder because little is known about what causes it. Nonetheless, like with many mental health concerns, seeking therapy as soon as a problem occurs may help avoid hoarding from worsening.
