Westport-Weston Safer Homes Task Force Warns Of Signs Of Hoarding

WESTPORT, Conn. -- The Safer Homes Task Force, a group of town department representatives from Westport and Weston, is reminding residents to be alert for potential signs of hoarding.

The Safer Homes Task Force of Westport and Weston wants residents to be on the lookout for signs of hoarding.
Photo Credit: *Wikimedia Commons*

Joe Jenkins

05/31/2014 4:00 a.m.

Hoarding is a complex mental-health condition that often begins in early adolescence and the symptoms become exacerbated in midlife due to a life changing event such as divorce, trauma, and death of a family member.

It is estimated that two to five percent of the adult U.S. population suffers from this disorder and it crosses all income and socio-economic lines, according to the Safer Homes Task Force.

Compulsive hoarding behavior can be characterized by the following:

Acquiring and failing to throw out a large number of items that would appear to have little or no value to others.
Severe cluttering of the person's home so that it is no longer able to function as a viable living space.
Significant distress and/or significant impairment of one's work or social life.

For more information on hoarding or The Safer Homes Task Force, contact registered nurse Loren Pace at 203-227-9571, ext. 231 or visit www.ocdfoundation.org/hoarding.

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