The Different Levels of Hoarding Explained
Hoarding disorder is the inability to dispose of or get rid of goods due to a felt urge to keep them. Excessive collection of objects happens, regardless of their actual worth. Residences can be full, with only narrow paths twisting among piles of debris.
People with hoarding disorder may be oblivious to recognize the disease as a problem, making therapy challenging. Therapy can assist persons dealing with hoarding disease to understand how their beliefs and actions can be altered to live safer, more fulfilling lives.
The Dangers of Hoarding
Uncontrollable hoarding is usually a symptom of some underlying psychological 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 severity of the hoard.
The Five Levels of Hoarding
Once 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 degree is a typical household atmosphere that is a little messy. Clutter is not excessive, all doors and staircases are accessible, and there are no odors. The physical health of the hoarder is low risk; nevertheless, the person’s mental health is a crucial indicator.
Level 2: Guarded Blue
This home is habitually disorderly. Clutter and smells will remain relatively minimal at Level Two Hoarding. There may 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 flood cleanup Glen Allen are recommended to manage water damage problems.
Level Three: Elevated Yellow
Level Three Hoarding will exhibit much of the same symptoms as Level Two, except that scents will become apparent. In this phase, the mounds of goods and clothing spills and unhygienic conditions will represent a health risk. A hoarding restoration service like PuroClean is an absolute necessity.
Level Four: High-Risk Orange
Sewer backup, faulty electrical wiring, flea infestation, rotting food on counters, lice on beds, and pet damage to the home are common symptoms of unsanctioned hoarding. Level Four is exceedingly harmful to one’s health. A coordinated team of service providers is needed primarily to check for any fire risks. Look for reputable companies with vast experience; you can visit them here.
Level Five: Severe-Risk Red
Level Five has the most challenging hoarding situations. Residences will undergo structural damage and become exceedingly harmful. Rodent infestation is apparent, and the kitchen and bathroom are unusable because of the mess. Hoarders might gather urine in bottles that are not thrown, and human excrement might pile on the floor.
Conclusion
If you or a loved one is manifesting symptoms of hoarding disorder, 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, cops, fire, or animal welfare organizations.
There is no known treatment to avoid hoarding disorder because little is known about what triggers it. Nevertheless, like with many mental health problems, seeking treatment as soon as a problem occurs may help avoid hoarding from getting worse.
