The Consequences of Forced Clean-Outs

If you have watched an episode of "Hoarders" you may feel there is some validity to engaging in rapid fire clean-outs that are rooted  in threats of impending consequences such as eviction, loss of children, loss of property or family ultimatums.  From our experience, forced clean-outs conducted in as short as a few days not only increase the resistance demonstrated by the client during the process but result in long term resentment, distrust of future help and may increase severity of the mental health issues that precipitated the compulsive hoarding.
Allow us to share with you some of our observations over the years of the implications of forced clean-outs:

• clients are extremely anxious during the process which is only escalated as others are dictating what items or possessions will or will not remain.
• clients may yell, scream, withdraw, grow violent or engage in other illogical behaviour.
• clients have already demonstrated they have a lack of control as they have acquired so many items in their homes that the home is rendered inaccessible in many areas.  To remove what little control they may feel they have is inviting defiance.
• clients are likely to experience such a state of overwhelm from the numerous individuals handling their possessions and roaming throughout their home that the excessive doubting, fear and anxiety lead to irrational behaviours such as removing items from the dumpsters or bins to double check what has left their home.
• Symptoms of depression and anxiety will increase which may result in increased thoughts of suicide or self-harm.
• Following the forced clean-outs, clients may feel 'naked' or that their homes 'echo'.  Having resided in such congested environments for so long, lights may feel brighter, sounds may appear louder and rooms may feel overly large.  Clients may report feeling empty or lonely depending on how they regarded their items. This puts the clients at astronomical risk for immediate re-acquiring - often re-acquiring upwards of 90% of the items within the next 30-90 days.
• Clients are unlikely to re-engage in therapeutic supports as trust has been damaged if not abolished entirely.
• Clients may estrange themselves from family or friends involved in the forced clean-outs further compounding the intense grief and loss they are experiencing.

For all that has been stated above, in emergency situations where evidence of previous fires has been identified, threat and risk management strategies need to be employed to prevent loss of life and property damage.  If in doubt, contact the local Fire Department for a complete inspection of the residence for both guidance and threat management requirements. In all other cases, we encourage slower clean-outs that promote client involvement, client directed goal-setting, systematic de-cluttering, specialized active counselling and community case management.