I have had a hoarding problem for going on 8 years. The problem started building after a close friend’s death. Books and random junk piled on furniture, piles building til they fall over. My bathroom, bedroom and kitchen are serviceable, but also house too much junk. And when I think to part with something I keep thinking I’ll need it later. It’s sick. I live in fear of the next big home repair needed because I would die of shame if anyone saw inside my house. Before this, I kept an orderly place, but once my friend died I just stopped caring. There’s a dozen small repairs around my place I’ve been putting off, and I have gotten good at ignoring the problem in the daytime. But now, at night, it just takes over my thoughts. The problem is overwhelming. But I hope that by putting this all into words I will have the drive to make a first step tomorrow. If any of my friends were going through this I would want to help them, but I can’t bring myself to ask for help.