Why some people are incapable of throwing out clutter
Most of us are guilty of keeping stuff we should throw out, but what if the need to keep things turns into a compulsion? Recent studies estimate that one in 200 of us are compulsive hoarders- incapable of throwing out the masses of clutter that surround us. Often regarded as a form of OCD, compulsive hoarding can ruin families and friendships. Reporter Anna Bailey spoke to Sylvie who has the condition. Jane talks to Karen Smith, a wife so distressed by her husband’s hoarding, that she suffered a nervous breakdown and has now organised a national conference to educate healthcare professionals about the condition. She’s also joined by Dr Liz Forrester, a consultant clinical psychologist at the South London and Maudsley Institute of Psychiatry.
Compulsive Hoarding Conference at St George's Hospital, Learning Centre, Stafford on Friday 17 October 2008
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