Overcoming Compulsive Hoarding: Why You Save & How You Can Stop

by Fugen Neziroglu, Jose Yaryura-Tobias, Jerome Bubrick, et al.

Book Overview

Although the much-satirized image of a house overflowing with National Geographics and infested with cats may make us chuckle, the reality of compulsive hoarding is no laughing matter. The most common reason for evictions in the US and a significant risk factor for fatal house fires, compulsive hoarding is a treatable condition related to obsessive-compulsive disorder. It is characterized by the acquisition of possessions that have little or no value,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 157224349X
• ISBN13: 9781572243491
• Release Date: January 2004
• Publisher: New Harbinger Publications
• Length: 146 Pages
• Weight: 0.54 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

was very helpful for my case

This book has been very helpul, I've gotten rid of 420+ books, several stacks of old newspapers, 150+ magazines, hundreds of pounds of metal, boxes of bills from 10 years ago, bags of clothes, etc. If you're not a hoarder, then this book won't be very useful to you because you just won't relate to the reasons they present as to why you save stuff. They also don't list all the reasons why people save, but you can apply their techniques and insights to whatever reasons you have for saving. I didn't go through the flashcards exercise (too cumbersome) but the method is useful if you just remember and apply the reasons. The Exposure with Response Prevention (E/RP) technique was new to me and I've found it very useful to prevent the acquisition of new stuff, mostly magazines. In conclusion, if you hoard and save stuff, then this book is highly recommended. If you're not a hoarder, then this material will just seem foreign to you.

Overcoming Compulsive Hoarding

This book is what I needed years ago. I finally understand why I have too much clutter and where to start undoing it. I'm glad there is a name to put on my problem, and not just feel like I'm a slob.(which I am a perfectionist instead) I highly recommend this book for anyone who lives with clutter, who collects everything and can not throw anything out, or knows a person like that.

it saved my boyfriends life !!

ok so did anyone see Oprah like me or at least heard about it.. the woman who was a hoarder was the subject. well that was the first I ever heard of this disorder. I thought my boyfriend was just a slob. I have done everything. bought him organizational books one after the next, bought cleaning products for him, and even tried to organize his house myself. I have even cleaned it ! However until this book was recommended ( I called the doctors who wrote this book, their office recommended the book) it clicked ! he immediately felt understood.I cannot believe that this book can change someone so drastically, but it has.. if you even think someone you know has a hoarding problem, this book is a staple you must have. My boyfriend is 27 and this book saved him from years of what could have been a disaster.He was on his way.. he was afraid to even throw out take -out wrappers and garbage! He now has a clean house and is not afraid to throw things out. I hope if you are even considering this book, I can make a difference with this review and help someone too !! By the way, you should still see a therapist to totally fix the problem.but this is priceless !!

This book saved my life!

Overcoming Compulsive Hoarding saved my life! It's the first book I have read that accurately addresses why I hang onto things and why I can't let them go. I have had to deal with clutter all my life. I have felt shame and been hard on myself until I read the book. The invaluable insights in this book have helped me to clear the clutter. Once I know why I'm hanging onto something it's much easier to let go of it! Other organizational books have not worked for me because the books assume I have no emotional obstacles to becoming organized. This book is a must-read! I am very pleased with this book and recommend it to anybody, hoarder or non-hoarder, who has difficulty with clutter and organization.