Ottawa hoarding study helps combat potentially dangerous disorder

A year-long study of hoarders in Ottawahas armed social workers and housing officials with new tools and understanding to helpcombat the disorder.

OptionsBytown, a non-profit housing corporation,andMontfortRenaissance, a francophonecommunity health agency,presented the results of their study on Wednesday.

Their research tracked 15 Ottawa residentsand found many of theparticipantsstruggled with serious mental health problems.

However the study foundthose subjects who worked with so-called "clutter coaches" saw a more than 40 per cent improvement in their living standards.

LiseGirardis the senior director of mental health and addiction atMontfortRenaissance. She said her agency wanted to tackle theissue of hoarding because itrecognized the serious health threats it poses.

Hoarding leads to isolation

Girardsaid shesaw clients growing more isolated as a result of their clutter.

"They were ashamed of inviting people over to their apartment or their house because there was no place to sit. Stuff was all over the place. They couldn't find the things they needed."

Girardsaid some of the 15 subjectsalso feared eviction as a result of their hoarding habits.

MichelleNouwens, 57, said that was a real concern for her."The owner of my house comes into my room quite regularly and she's the one who decided that I had too much stuff in my room," saidNouwens, one of the 15 subjects of the study.

Nouwens called the city to help her get her hoarding under control and was directed to Montfort Renaissance.

"It took a few months, but slowly but surely, with lots of patience and respect they helped me de-clutter my room," she said.

Hoarding dangerous,fire officials warn

GwenLewis, a fire prevention officer with the Ottawa Fire Service, saidit's important for firefighters to know when they're entering a hoarding house for their own safety.

"If suppression crews arrive to a working fire and they're alerted already that it is a possible hoarding case, they know that the fire [will] burn differently because there will be an excessive fire load, and that load can affect neighbouring units or neighbouring houses," she said.

Lewissaid six per cent of the population have hoardingtendencies.Ottawa Fire Service works with the mental health associations and Ottawa Public Health to make sure hoarders remain safe.

"[Hoarding] is recognized as a mental health issue," said Lewis.

Shesaid fire officials keep tabs on hoarders when they get information from the public.

"If we receive complaints that individuals are possible hoarders, we can respond and we will check in on them to make sure that they do have a working smoke alarm on every level of their home."

Why do people hoard?

ElaineBirchallis a hoarding behaviour specialist in Ottawa who hascounselledpeople struggling with the disorder for 14 years.Birchallsaysthree main factorsinfluence hoarding:

• Genetics: A high proportion of people who hoard have a close family member who also hoards. "That means a mother, father, sister, brother," saidBirchall. Hoardersoften model their behaviour on thatof family members.
• Co-morbidity: Having an accompanying mental or physical health disorder puts people at a higher risk of hoarding. Suffering from depression, generalized anxiety, OCD,bipolardisorder or addiction can make people susceptible. "They don't cause the hoarding but what they seem to do is add anadditionallayer of vulnerability,"Birchall said.
• Chronicdisorganization: People who are very disorganized can become hoarders after a traumatic incident. "A big event happens that destabilizes them, or a series of smaller events happen and there isn't time tore-calibrate," saidBirchall. "They get to a point where they are overwhelmed and things get out of hand quickly."

When it comes to confronting the issue,Birchallbelieves shame plays a big role in keeping peoplesilent. She also believes the stigma surrounding the disorder keeps people isolated from their family and friends and prevents them from seeking proper treatment.

"Nobody gets rewarded for being a hoarder. No one says job well done. But if you go to the other extreme and you are excessively neat and tidy and meticulously, scrupulously clean, you'll get a high five."