Bio-One Of Chula Vista decontamination and biohazard cleaning services

What are the Signs of Hoarder Behavior & How Can you Help?

What are the Signs of Hoarder Behavior & How Can you Help?

Bio-One of Chula Vista has had the opportunity of helping many families and property owners when the process of discarding things gets overwhelming. Serving San Diego County and surrounding communities, we understand that it might be scary to ask for help and feel judged. Bio-One’s hoarder cleaning specialists are a small family that will help you overcome these difficulties. You don’t have to fight hoarding alone.

The reality is: not everyone who collects specific items, or struggles with maintaining an organized living space, is necessarily a hoarder.

There are key elements that can help identify whether a person is struggling with Hoarding Disorder or if it’s showing early signs that could be addressed to avoid a severe condition. Hoarding scenarios are often dangerous and hazardous. The amount of clutter and trash has taken over the daily living spaces, and getting the easiest things like cooking, cleaning, bathing, or even sleeping done is impossible.

Identifying a Hoarding Scenario

According to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA), the common symptoms and behavior of a person struggling with Hoarding Disorder include:

The inability to throw away possessions

The thought of letting go of items like newspapers, magazines, clothing, and other elements that don’t seem to have a major purpose in their life, can cause anxiety and stress. An individual struggling with Hoarding Disorder has a different perception of these items; the value is not related to how much they cost but how emotionally important they are for them.

Severe anxiety when attempting to discard items

Even if they don’t admit to having a problem, you can identify if a person is struggling with hoarding when you ask them about discarding random items in their possession. If they react abruptly to this request, shut themselves or become aggressive, you could say the individual is struggling with hoarding.

Difficulty organizing or categorizing possessions

This is an important sign that helps identify if a person is struggling with Hoarding Disorder. A person who collects items is usually proud to display these possessions. They’re a reward for his efforts. It’s different for someone struggling with hoarding. They usually isolate themselves from others to avoid feeling ashamed or embarrassed about the mess in their house or property.

Functional impairments

An individual struggling with hoarding constantly fights to get the easiest things done. Their quality of life is severely affected by the clutter and trash. Furthermore, studies show that hoarding affects people over 60 and those struggling with other mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and OCD. These data and these symptoms make up for a very dangerous living environment. 

How our hoarder cleaning specialists can help

In the face of a hoarding situation, Bio-One of Chula Vista has one clear goal: getting the help the person deserves. As we mentioned, people often struggle with other mental health conditions. Bio-One works closely with Law Enforcement, Public Service Agencies, Victim advocates, and other organizations that can assist the individual in getting their life back on track. We also strive to make the house or property safe for them to return.

Our hoarder cleaning technicians can take care of potentially biohazardous situations that can put their lives at risk. 
Our hoarder cleaning technicians can take care of potentially biohazardous situations that can put their lives at risk. 

Compassion. Experience. Respect.

Bio-One is ready to address issues caused by unanticipated circumstances, such as death and serious trauma, at any time. We deploy our certified and experienced technicians as soon as possible so you can focus on more important things while the recovery process begins.

Biohazard Remediation and Decontamination Services

Hoarding cleanup and Recovery services

Locally owned, Bio-One of Chula Vista works closely with emergency responders, hoarding task forces, public service agencies, and other organizations to provide the most efficient service possible:

Proudly serving San Diego County & Surrounding communities!

We proudly serve the San Diego County location and surrounding cities and communities: Chula Vista, San Diego, National City, Lemon Grove, Spring Valley, El Cajon, Santee, Lakeside, Coronado, La Mesa, Imperial Beach, Bonita, Alpine, surrounding communities.

As proud National City Chamber of Commerce members and an approved HomeAdvisor company, we always offer free estimates for our services and are available 24/7! Contact us at 619-892-1744.

What is the Outlook for Someone with Hoarding Disorder?

Hoarding is a delicate condition that must be approached with care, compassion, and a non-judgemental take. People struggling with Hoarding Disorder constantly battle between their possessions and the compulsive need to buy, collect and save items, regardless of their economic value.

Bio-One of Chula Vista has assisted numerous families and customers struggling with Hoarding Disorder, as the house or property of the individual can turn into a hazardous environment. These are the most common signs and facts about Hoarding Disorder. Identifying these signs is useful to anyone who might be struggling with hoarding, directly (the affected individual) or indirectly (family and community members).

Basic Facts about Hoarding Disorder

People struggling with Hoarding Disorder usually face a diminished quality of life due to the clutter and accumulation of possessions. These possessions get in the way of performing normal, routine activities like using the kitchen, sitting on the couch in the living room, or even going to the bathroom. Basic facts about Hoarding Disorder include:

Hoarding Disorder affects an estimated 2 to 6% of the U.S. population - Some researches indicate that it’s also more common in males than females. Also, individuals usually live alone, and the elderly are more likely to struggle with Hoarding Disorder.

Hoarding Disorder is not the same as collecting - A person who collects (baseball cards, coins, art, magazines) is usually proud to showcase these items, as it might represent hours and research time to put a “collection” together. A person struggling with hoarding is usually embarrassed by their situation and likely isolates themselves from family and friends.

Hoarding Disorder can lead to dangerous living conditions - People struggling with hoarding accumulate things without being conscious of the dangers of this compulsive behavior. Houses and properties usually show signs of deterioration due to clutter and waste. 

People struggling with Hoarding Disorder will save all kinds of things - For someone struggling with hoarding, items have a different meaning. Things have a strong emotional value and have nothing to do with the item itself. Hoarders can save magazines, newspapers, books, food, home appliances, household items, clothing, and even animals.

While the cause of hoarding is unknown, several risk factors can help identify it - Medical experts have said that a traumatic life event can trigger Hoarding Disorder; or a history of mental illness such as depression, anxiety, and OCD. Anyone is capable of developing hoarding tendencies.

What is the Outlook for someone struggling with Hoarding?

Hoarding Disorder must be treated by a doctor. Hoarding is a condition that can be controlled and treated so that the individual can live a normal, functioning life. Individuals learn to manage their possessions, and the right treatment can reduce the need for saving and accumulating things. 

People struggling with hoarding can turn their life around, but they need help and support to overcome this situation.

Bio-One of Chula Vista cares, understands, and helps people with these difficult and sometimes overwhelming situations. We aim to help individuals get their life back on track and turn their house or property into a safe, hazard-free environment

Bio-One also works closely with the homeowner or their loved ones to ensure everyone is comfortable during the remediation process.

Hoarding cleanup with Bio-One specialists - Before and after.
Hoarding cleanup with Bio-One specialists - Before and after.

Compassion. Experience. Respect.

Bio-One is ready to address issues caused by unanticipated circumstances, such as death and serious trauma, at any time. We deploy our certified and experienced technicians as soon as possible so you can focus on more important things while the recovery process begins.

Biohazard Remediation and Decontamination Services

Hoarding cleanup and Recovery services

Locally owned, Bio-One of Chula Vista works closely with emergency responders, hoarding task forces, public service agencies, and other organizations to provide the most efficient service possible:

Proudly serving San Diego County & Surrounding communities!

We proudly serve the San Diego County location and surrounding cities and communities: Chula Vista, San Diego, National City, Lemon Grove, Spring Valley, El Cajon, Santee, Lakeside, Coronado, La Mesa, Imperial Beach, Bonita, Alpine, surrounding communities.

As proud National City Chamber of Commerce members and an approved HomeAdvisor company, we always offer free estimates for our services and are available 24/7! Contact us at 619-892-1744.

Crime and Trauma Scene Cleanup - Helping Through Tough Times

Bio-One of Chula Vista’s crime and trauma scene cleanup specialists understand the importance of supporting during the most strenuous and unfortunate situations. While there is no easy way of coping with them, having a caring, compassionate, and mindful team might make a difference in the aftermath of a tragedy.

In light of an unexpected event, like a suicide or a homicide, families may feel overwhelmed by the thought of facing such tragedy. Sometimes, life comes at us with difficult situations, and having the right people helping you get through the darkest hours might make the whole process a little more bearable. 

Helping you return to a safe, clean environment

When tragedy strikes a place that holds deep value to the affected families, like our home, the trauma and grieving process might be harder to endure. Beautiful memories are now tainted by an unfortunate, tragic accident that happened, and the first thing that comes to mind is: “How am I supposed to go back to that place?”

Bio-One of Chula Vista’s crime and trauma scene cleanup specialists work with the utmost care for you and the extreme challenge of returning to the place where you might have witnessed the scene or departure of someone you loved. Our Team is committed to helping you return these areas to a safe, healthy, pre-incident stage. We understand that the memory of tragedy might never be forgotten. Still, it’s a small yet significant step in the process of facing the aftermath of the death of a loved one.

Your and your family’s safety is our main priority

Besides the emotional distress caused by facing a tragedy like a suicide, homicide, or unattended death, multiple biohazards threaten not only your life but the lives of everyone living under the same roof where things happened. 

Deaths usually involve blood and other bodily fluids that can harm your health. Bloodborne pathogens are highly contagious and can lead to many diseases and infections. On the other hand, blood and body fluid residue can exude bacteria that easily travel through HVAC Systems, turning the whole property into a biohazardous environment.

Bio-One's biohazard remediation technicians.
Bio-One uses the latest technology and equipment to keep you safe during life's most difficult and challenging situations.

Compassion. Experience. Respect.

Bio-One is ready to address issues caused by unanticipated circumstances, such as death and serious trauma, at any time. We deploy our certified and experienced technicians as soon as possible so you can focus on more important things while the recovery process begins.

Biohazard Remediation and Decontamination Services

Hoarding cleanup and Recovery services

Locally owned, Bio-One of Chula Vista works closely with emergency responders, hoarding task forces, public service agencies, and other organizations to provide the most efficient service possible:

Proudly serving San Diego County & Surrounding communities!

We proudly serve the San Diego County location and surrounding cities and communities: Chula Vista, San Diego, National City, Lemon Grove, Spring Valley, El Cajon, Santee, Lakeside, Coronado, La Mesa, Imperial Beach, Bonita, Alpine, surrounding communities.

As proud National City Chamber of Commerce members, we always offer free estimates for our services and are available 24/7! Contact us at 619-892-1744.