What Are the Five Levels of Hoarding?
Hoarding disorder is the inability to discard or part with goods due to a felt urge to keep them. Excessive collection of items takes place, 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 acknowledging the condition as a problem, making therapy difficult. Therapy can assist persons experiencing hoarding conditions comprehend how their beliefs and actions can be altered to live safer, more fulfilling lives.
The Dangers of Hoarding
Compulsive hoarding is frequently a symptom of some underlying mental condition. Hoarders have difficulty eliminating objects that most would consider rubbish, which accumulates 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
The moment you understand the five levels of hoarding, you will be able to develop 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 messy. The clutter is not too much, all doors and stairways are accessible, and there are no scents. The physical health of the hoarder is low risk; however, the person’s mental health is a vital indicator.
Level Two: Guarded Blue
This home is habitually disorderly. Clutter 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 deal with water damage concerns. Check out the “customers in Glen Allen” page to learn more about water mitigation.
Level Three: Elevated Yellow
Level Three Hoarding will display much of the same symptoms as Level Two, except that scents will become apparent. The mounds of goods and clothing spills and unhygienic conditions will represent health risks in this stage. A hoarding assistance service is an absolute necessity.
Level Four: High-Risk Orange
Sewer backup, defective 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. Visit websites like puroclean.com for a reputable restoration company offering hoarding solutions.
Level Five: Severe-Risk Red
Level Five has the most challenging hoarding situations. Residences will undergo structural damage and become exceedingly unsafe. Rodent infestation is noticeable, and the kitchen and bathroom are unusable due to 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 endangers their health or safety. In that case, you may 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. Nonetheless, like with many mental health problems, seeking treatment as soon as a problem develops might help prevent hoarding from aggravating.