This group is for those who care about someone who is a hoarder. It is not a therapy group. Here we share information which may be useful in understand those whose lives are impacted by hoarding. Perhaps some ideas for approaches will prove useful.

As always, seek both knowledge and wisdom in knowing how to approach your own part in this frustrating malady of someone you are concerned about.

Some may wish to approach professional mental health workers or medical professionals for guidance on how to proceed. Others may wish to educate themselves through books and reliable websites which may be suggested.

The book called Digging Out: Helping Your Loved One Manage Clutter, Hoarding, and Compulsive Acquiring by Michael A., Ph.D. Tompkins and Tamara L. Hart is available for education and help to those who are concerned about hoarders in their lives. It offers a plan that has proven successful in alleviating the problem in some circumstances. The book STUFF by Frost and Steketee is excellent and has a chapter called A Packrat in the Family.

A website dedicated to those who are struggling to overcome hoarding on their own part is available on the online Support Group page of www.messies.com website. You may also want to contact www.ocfoundation.org and search the internet for more valuable information on this subject. The web site www.ChildrenOfHoarders offers invaluable resources to all who care about a hoarder in their lives.

I'm Sandra Felton, The Organizer Lady®, founder of Messies Anonymous. Check out all of the organizing helps we have on http://www.messies.com.