Interventions

COH & ACOA Joined: Jul 22, 2006 Posts: 2032 Location: Cabo

For anyone considering an intervention, here is some miscellanous info. I've recently come across:

Hoarding and Intervention
Helping Hoarders Get Treatment
http://www.adaa.org/GettingHelp/newsletter/2007/Hoarding_Intervention.asp
Fugen Neziroglu, Ph.D., ABBP, ADAA Member/ Estee Acobas, M.A.
Bio-Behavioral Institute/Great Neck, New York

Quote from it:

Quote:

Taking Steps to Help

When a hoarder resists the idea of getting help, a family member may contact a therapist for guidance on effective methods of treatment. One such method is an intervention strategy, adapted by Fugen Neziroglu and colleagues from techniques used for substance abusers.

Family members meet with a therapist several times to learn more about hoarding and treatment options, who should be involved and what to say at an intervention, and how to prepare mentally for what may become an ordeal. They must have the conviction that they are doing the right thing because a hoarder cannot be helped if the family fears anger or consequences of an intervention. Often family members attend a practice session before the intervention takes place.

The goal of those at an intervention is to have the hoarder make one visit to an experienced therapist. At a prearranged time, family members approach the hoarder to talk about the effect of clutter on their lives and explain that help and support are available. Each person explains in a non-confrontational and non-judgmental manner why he or she is concerned. It is important that all participants speak with genuine care, but they make it clear that treatment is mandatory. Arrangements for treatment are usually made before an intervention takes place; ideally a session follows immediately.

Details of an intervention can vary: The consulting professional may or may not be present; it may take place in an office or a home; and the hoarder may or may not be made aware of the upcoming event.

Facing a cohesive group, a hoarder cannot hide or minimize the problem. Intervention is a big step in the right direction, but the hoarder and those involved have much work to do. The hoarder must commit to treatment, and family members must address personal issues and learn to handle issues that may come up as the treatment progresses.

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" Setting the bottom line " video, Intervention Show on A&E:
http://www.aetv.com/videos/display.jsp?id=INTERVENTION_60
(scroll down to last video clip listed)

COH & Moderator Joined: Aug 01, 2006 Posts: 474

Oh, my goodness.

I'd love to see a TV show about a hoarder intervention. Several differences leap to mind.

With a drug addict or alcohol addict, I would think that it would be much easier to get everyone in the family to agree that there is a huge problem. With hoarding, ahhhh maybe not so easy. It seems like lots of families disagree on the right of the hoarder to live their life however they please.

With the drug and alcohol addict, it seems like the intervention is for children, by the concerned parents, grand-parents, brothers, sisters, etc. There appears to be some level of respect for the opinions of the interveeners. With hoarders, not so much.

For drug and alcohol addicts, there are a lot of experienced recovery centers with track records that are pretty good. I haven't heard of anyone with a good track record in helping hoarders get better. This would make it even tougher for the family.

The author has this quote:

Quote:

Family members meet with a therapist several times to learn more about hoarding and treatment options

Can someone please let us know where these knowledgeable therapists are?

My biggest question is this. One quote says:

Quote:

It is important that all participants speak with genuine care, but they make it clear that treatment is mandatory.

A second quote says:

Quote:

The hoarder must commit to treatment, and family members must address personal issues and learn to handle issues that may come up as the treatment progresses.

There seems to be an implied "or else". What's the "or else" for a hoarder.
Mom, you have to go into therapy, or else we won't come and clean up any more? The hoarder may start cheering.
Mom, you have to go into therapy, or none of us will ever talk to you again? Most families aren't willing to take this step.
Mom, you have to go into therapy, or the authorities will be notified, and you'll have to deal with them on your own? This one might work, but it would be incredibly tough. Any division would probably be exploited immediately.

Exciting news if it works. I can just see my mom writing off every single person in her family, all her friends. "God, it's just you and me against the world."

norse

COH & ACOA Joined: Jul 22, 2006 Posts: 2032 Location: Cabo

All excellent points about Real Life with a hoarding loved one VS Textbook answers ...that are largely out of touch with most of the real situations we face here in Real Life Land. (having low-insight hoarding loved ones that aren't interested in changing and will likely welcome solitude and non-interference to continue hoarding without being nagged about it.)

Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2007 5:13 pm Post subject:

Norse,

Great job identifying what is probably the biggest problem for COH's to deal with, that the "professionals" truly just don't understand and are not able to give the care and the knowledge needed to really help solve the problems we all share.

I hope these said "professionals" are paying attention to this web sight and what is being said if they really want to make a real impact in the hoarders and the COH's lives.

Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2007 9:06 pm Post subject: Interventions

I'd love to see that A & E show "Intervention" do a show about hoarders. I wonder if they would do a better job than Oprah... *snort*.

COH & ACOA Joined: Jul 22, 2006 Posts: 2032 Location: Cabo

In case anyone is interested in what is "out there"....

Collected from search results returned for "how to help a hoarder."
http://www.childrenofhoarders.com/coh18.php

COH & ACOA Joined: Jul 22, 2006 Posts: 2032 Location: Cabo

Roles that should be present in a hoarding intervention, from Cristina Sorrentino, PhD (studied under Gail Steketee)
Boston University School of Social Work
Pages 9-17 (pdf)

https://www.masshousing.com/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_2_2738_0_0_18/How_to_Talk_to_Someone_with_Hoarding_Problem.pdf

Supporter/Enforcer

Valued Member Joined: Jan 02, 2008 Posts: 3

I told my sisters that I thought we needed to do some intervention with my mother. They were EXTREMELY opposed to it. I'm not sure why. I would love to know if it has ever helped or not.