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Post by disorganizeddragon on Jun 1, 2010 4:21:54 GMT -5
Here are the brief "one year later" updates on some of the participants from Season One of A&E's Hoarders:
Betty: Betty and her husband were living in a motel because Adult Protective Services wouldn't permit her chronically-ill husband to return to the home after being removed by emergency personnel during a small house fire. The home was cleaned enough during the initial filming that Betty's husband was allowed to return home for a short time. However, Betty immediately began hoarding again and her husband was once again removed from the home, going to live with their son. Betty received notice from the city to either clean her home or go to jail and was given a six-month deadline for completion. As of the filming of the update, she had less than six months to go, had done no work on the home, and did not seem concerned about facing possible jail time.
Paul: Paul collected scrap metal to sell as a means of making money to have for his grandchildren. However, he never got around to selling most of the scrap, which got him in trouble with his neighbors and the local authorities. He even served a week in jail on a charge of criminal littering. The initial cleanup removed approximately 25-50% of the scrap from his property and was enough to keep him from facing further jail time at that moment. While he did not begin hoarding scrap again, he did not make much progress clearing the remainder of the property. Paul is now receiving new citations from the county every two weeks and may be in danger of losing his home, the surrounding property, and everything on it.
Jill: Jill hoarded food and believed that expiration dates meant nothing, particularly if the food had been refrigerated or frozen. Her entire home was cluttered and dirty, much of the mess created by various types of rotting fruits and vegetables, and she was facing eviction. The initial cleanup removed much of the old food and garbage; her landlord gave her a reprieve based upon the work that had been done. Jill continued to work with an organizer after the filming and her home continues to be neat and organized. However, she still has a compulsive need to buy too much food and hang on to items way past their expiration dates. She has begun work with a therapist in an effort to overcome her need to hoard food.
Bill: Bill's hoarding had taken over his entire home and the rental apartment above it; his partner and their daughter had had enough and told him to clean up or get out. The initial clean-up was labeled a failure because Bill resisted every attempt to get rid of each item; only a small table and a stairwell were cleared. After the first filming, his partner, who had already previously broken her arm tripping over his stuff on the stairwell, suffered a massive heart attack. This prompted Bill to begin therapy and to clear out some of the downstairs areas, like the living room and the kitchen, but much of the rest of the house remained cluttered. His partner has now lost her job and the family faces possible foreclosure. If Bill clears out the rental apartment above their home, it will give them much of the money they need to make up for what has been lost. However, while Bill continues to make make progress in therapy, he has not made much progress on clearing the rental property. The bank has granted them a trial period to make regular mortgage payments; if this is done, they will permit a loan modification to avoid foreclosure.
Jake: Jake was living with his alcoholic father in a home with dangerously squalorous conditions. Jake, suffering from OCD, never threw anything away, including loose fur from his dog: he was afraid he would cause his dog to die if he disposed of the fur. Most of the house was cleaned out during the initial filming and Jake continued working with a therapist. He and his father have kept the home neat and clean, his dad has greatly reduced his drinking and Jake has started college. He plans to continue therapy and says he now feels as if he has direction in his life.
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Post by mrsmess on Jun 1, 2010 6:06:20 GMT -5
Thank you for sharing this. We don't get this program here, so I find it interesting just reading these case studies. Certainly can see a bit of myself in Jill....my family are always ticking me off for keeping food way after the expiry date.  |
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Post by CourageouslyLion SeeksSerenity on Jun 1, 2010 8:21:24 GMT -5
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Post by mafixit on Jun 1, 2010 9:07:41 GMT -5
thank you for posting the updates, I missed the update show yesterday.
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Post by success19 on Jun 1, 2010 13:26:33 GMT -5
Thanks - stopped getting that channel - so nice to know how things are going - sad to say not too well for most of them.
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Post by clutterfree on Jun 1, 2010 16:20:49 GMT -5
That's depressing as hell, but at least a couple of them have brighter endings.
It's very much like The Biggest Loser. Most people regain weight very quickly, because of the too-fast, sensationalized approach.
I'm glad it helps some people, but can only imagine how more defeated the others feel when they've had this "help" and still can't get a handle on the problem.
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Post by puppybox on Jun 1, 2010 16:33:11 GMT -5
part of recovery is relapsing, though, I have heard with regard to substance abuse. its certainly true I have been progressing 3 steps forward, 2 steps back in my squalor.
thanks for the updates. i didn't see the show but liked reading them anyway
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Post by hurtnbroke on Jun 1, 2010 17:35:09 GMT -5
Sounds like an interesting show but since I don't watch TV and cannot figure out how to connect digital converter anyways I'll just go on what I read and hear. I think I'd find myself or someone a lot like me on that show (I'm sure of it).   Hmmmmmmmmm, so what if you don't believe in "therapy" (aka psychobabble)? I detest most of the shrink wrappers and believe they have no legitimacy whatsoever since I do not see where psychobabbling qualifies as either a science or profession. Guess this might just explain why so many of the hoarders do not improve despite the touchy-feely-good-just-think-warm-pink-fuzzy-thoughts brigade. |
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Post by CourageouslyLion SeeksSerenity on Jun 1, 2010 19:04:23 GMT -5
Those websites usually have one or two or three of the full episodes online ... you can view an entire episode via the internet. They rotate which episodes are available online. If the one you want isn't there, check back in a week.
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MiSC
Banned
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,611 
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Post by MiSC on Jun 1, 2010 19:28:12 GMT -5
Sounds like an interesting show but since I don't watch TV and cannot figure out how to connect digital converter anyways I'll just go on what I read and hear. I think I'd find myself or someone a lot like me on that show (I'm sure of it). Hmmmmmmmmm, so what if you don't believe in "therapy" (aka psychobabble)? I detest most of the shrink wrappers and believe they have no legitimacy whatsoever since I do not see where psychobabbling qualifies as either a science or profession. Guess this might just explain why so many of the hoarders do not improve despite the touchy-feely-good-just-think-warm-pink-fuzzy-thoughts brigade. No comment whatsoever. |
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Post by clutterfree on Jun 2, 2010 16:50:24 GMT -5
No, so many don't improve because it's a television show designed for drama and ratings, and far less about actually helping someone. And recovery simply takes time.
From the time I started to the time I actually had my house under control it took a bit over 2 years, and that was not steady work. It was starting and stopping, and only the last few months really represented huge strides. And I'm not even a hoarder.
touchy-feely-good-just-think-warm-pink-fuzzy-thoughts brigade
A brigade like that would most certainly fail. Fortunately, counseling is nothing like that.
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Post by WestsideStory on Jun 3, 2010 2:22:15 GMT -5
re: touchy-feely-good-just-think-warm-pink-fuzzy-thoughts brigade
a number of people, not just guys, may not respond well to therapy which could be described as touchy-feely-good-just-think-warm-pink-fuzzy-thoughts brigade.
there are many different approaches to therapy. some people are more responsive to one type, and others might respond better to another.
similarly, some approaches are more effective for one type of issue or presenting problem but may not be as effective for another/others.
the only approach to compulsive hoarding which has scientifically documented success in a significant number of cases is the cognitive-behavioral therapy program developed by Randy Frost, Gail Steketee and David Tollin. It's not particularly touchy-feely or pink. See the books Buried in Treasures or Stuff. My impression is that the people who did better on Hoarders after a year were the ones who availed themselves of after-care. A magic wand and quick clean-up doesn't change the behavior, thought patterns and emotions which created these homes, so it is not surprising (although Very Sad and Depressing) that some people's homes and situations reverted back to the same crisis level as before.
WestsideStory
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Post by lozzylooloo on Jun 3, 2010 6:09:12 GMT -5
thaks for the excellent updates. I don't have paytv and haven't had time to watch online, but those updates give us a really good idea of the initial show as well as the update. really interesting, thanks  |
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Post by CourageouslyLion SeeksSerenity on Jun 18, 2010 13:41:45 GMT -5
- Ms. Dragoness, thanks for your comprehensive write-ups of the follow-ups! The follow-ups (Jill, Betty, Jake, Paul, and Bill) are are now available on a single DVD here: shop.history.com/detail.php?p=262860The follow-up DVD sells for $24.95 +shipping
You can now purchase DVD of entire Season One (without the followups) for $19.95 +shipping. shop.history.com/detail.php?p=259947(This is way cheaper than paying for individual episodes).
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