>> THIS HAS REALLY GOTTEN OUT OF
CONTROL.
>> SOMEBODY THAT CAME FROM A
NORMAL HOME AND WALKED IN THAT
HOUSE, THEY'D GO, "OH, MY GOD."
>> HER KIDS GOT PULLED FROM HER
HOME.
>> [ CRYING ]
IT'S A DIRTY, LITTLE SECRET
WHICH I'M ASHAMED OF.
>> THERE WAS A REALLY VERY CLEAR
AND PRESENT DANGER.
>> HE HAD MANAGED TO TRASH THE
PLACE.
>> I HATE WALKING THROUGH OUR
HOUSE.
TO SEE IT LIKE IT IS IS JUST
GROSS.
>> IF I WOKE UP TOMORROW AND
EVERYTHING WAS GONE, I WOULD
PROBABLY FREAK OUT.
>> MY NAME'S PATTY, AND I'M 48.
WELL, OUTSIDE THE HOME, I MEAN,
I'M VERY OUTGOING.
I DO A LOT WITH MY KIDS, YOU
KNOW, AT SCHOOL AND ATHLETICALLY
WITH THEIR SPORTS ACTIVITIES.
KIND OF LOOK FOR STUFF FOR ME,
FOR MY DAUGHTER.
IT'S LIKE LEADING A DOUBLE LIFE.
I HAVE TO BE ONE WAY OUTSIDE OF
MY HOME, AND THEN I COME INSIDE
OF MY HOME AND REALITY SETS IN.
EVERYBODY HAS THEIR ISSUES.
SOME OF THEM ARE MORE VISIBLE
THAN OTHERS.
AND MY ISSUE IS THIS.
NOBODY KNOWS, AND I'M SURE THEY
WOULD BE VERY SHOCKED.
[ SIGHS ]
AND ESPECIALLY SINCE, YOU KNOW,
WE HAVE, BASICALLY, ASIDE FROM
THIS, A VERY NORMAL LIFE.
>> I'M DAVE.
I'M PATTY'S HUSBAND.
WE'VE BEEN MARRIED SINCE 1987.
WELL, I THINK IT'S -- IN THIS
CASE, PATTY'S HOARDING IS
DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE
SHOPPING.
>> UH-HUH, I'M SEEING A
CLEARANCE TAG!
>> SHE LIKES TO SHOP.
>> AHA, PET EGG.
THREE CARTRIDGES.
FIVE-IN-ONE MAGNETIC TRAVEL GAME
SET.
I'M SEEING GIFT SETS.
I'M KIND OF A SUCKER FOR GIFT
SETS.
>> WELL, A LOT OF THE STUFF THAT
SHE PURCHASES, OR HAS PURCHASED
OVER TIME, IS STILL IN THE BAG
THAT SHE BROUGHT IT HOME IN,
STILL GOT THE TAGS ON IT.
NEW ITEMS, NEVER BEEN USED --
PROBABLY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.
MOST ASSUREDLY, THOUSANDS OF
DOLLARS' WORTH OF STUFF.
>> I DO HAVE IDEAS AS TO WHAT
BROUGHT ME TO THIS POINT.
PROBABLY ISSUES WITHIN MY
MARRIAGE.
>> IT WEARS ON YOU, BECAUSE IT
TENDS TO GET IN YOUR HEAD AND
YOU THINK ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME
AND YOU THINK ABOUT THE IMPACT
ON THE KIDS.
>> IT'S GOTTEN WHERE IT'S SO
OVERWHELMING THAT IT'S
DIFFICULT, AND THE DEEPER IT'S
GOTTEN THE MORE DIFFICULT IT'S
BECOME, ESPECIALLY AS FAR AS THE
KIDS ARE CONCERNED.
THEY WOULD LIKE TO HAVE FRIENDS
OVER.
THEY GO OVER TO FRIENDS' HOUSES,
AND THEY CAN'T RECIPROCATE.
AND I KNOW IT'S HARD FOR THEM,
AND IT HURTS THEM AND ME.
AND I HATE IT.
IT'S A DIRTY, LITTLE SECRET
WHICH I'M ASHAMED OF.
WHEN THE KIDS WERE TAKEN, I WAS
IN SHOCK.
MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE OUT
RUNNING AN ERRAND, AND DAVE AND
MY SON WERE HOME.
>> HE STARTED TOWARDS THE DOOR
AND CAME AND GOT ME AND SAID,
"DAD, THERE'S POLICE AT THE
DOOR."
AND I THOUGHT, "OKAY."
SO, I WENT DOWN AND OPENED THE
DOOR, AND I KNEW IMMEDIATELY WHY
THEY WERE THERE.
IT JUST -- I KNEW.
>> I GUESS SOMEONE HAD CALLED IN
ABOUT MY HOME.
I HAVE NO CLUE AS TO WHO.
AND THEY CAME WITH CAMERAS IN
HAND AND INSPECTED THE HOUSE.
>> THEY WALKED THROUGH THE
HOUSE, AND THEY BASICALLY STATED
THAT THE KIDS NEEDED TO GO
SOMEWHERE ELSE.
>> IT WAS THE WORST MOMENT OF MY
LIFE.
UNDOUBTEDLY THE WORST MOMENT OF
MY LIFE, WHEN THE POLICE PARADE
UP YOUR STREET AND TELL YOU YOUR
KIDS HAVE TO LEAVE.
>> I DON'T THINK PATTY OR I,
EITHER ONE, HAD ANY IDEA OF HOW
WE WERE GONNA GET OUT OF THIS
SITUATION.
>> AND THEN I WAS IN DESPAIR AND
SHOCK.
I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS GONNA
HAPPEN.
>> MY NAME IS BILL SQUIBB.
I'M 66 AND SEMI-RETIRED.
I'VE BEEN ACQUIRING THINGS
PROBABLY AS LONG AS I CAN
REMEMBER, AT LEAST IN MY
ADULTHOOD.
IT MUST GO BACK 30 YEARS.
MY ACQUIRING PROBABLY STEMS
AROUND RENOVATION MATERIALS,
TOOLS, CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS.
LIKEWISE, I COLLECT MAGAZINES,
BOOKS, HOW-TO MAGAZINES OR BOOKS
ON BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION.
KIND OF A HANDYMAN, DOING
RENOVATIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS.
[ SAW WHIRRING ]
I DON'T THINK OTHER PEOPLE
UNDERSTAND THE COMPULSION OF
HOARDING OR A HOARDER.
I'VE HEARD A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT
TERMS -- THE PACK RAT,
COLLECTOR.
THERE ARE THINGS THAT I JUST
WANT TO KEEP AND CAN'T THROW
OUT, AND I CAN'T REALLY EXPLAIN
WHY.
I DON'T KNOW THAT I FULLY
UNDERSTAND IT.
I HAVE A DISORDER, AND IT'S...
HOARDING.
>> THOSE MAY SAY THEY'RE MEDIUM
CHILIES, BUT THEY ARE "BLOW YOUR
HEAD OFF" CHILI.
>> OH?
>> MY NAME IS LORELEI AZARIAN.
I'M 57.
AND I'VE BEEN PARTNERS WITH BILL
FOR 25, MAYBE 26 YEARS.
THIS WILL BE READY IN
20 MINUTES.
CAN YOU TACKLE THAT AND FIND A
PLACE FOR YOUR EGG CARTONS?
>> OKAY.
>> THANK YOU.
>> THE LEVEL OF DISARRAY THAT
BILL SEEMS TO EITHER ENJOY OR
SUCCUMB TO IS CRAZY-MAKING FOR
ME.
I'M TIRED OF BEING LUMPED IN
WITH THINGS.
I'M TIRED OF LIVING IN A HOME
WHERE I CAN'T INVITE FRIENDS IN
BECAUSE I'M MORTIFIED.
WE HAVE NO SOCIAL LIFE.
WE CAN'T RECIPROCATE AN
INVITATION TO DINNER.
WE ALWAYS MAKE EXCUSES, BUT THE
EXCUSES HAVE TO END.
IT'S TIME.
>> THE STUFF THAT'S IN THE HOUSE
IS DIMINISHING THE SPACE THAT WE
HAVE AVAILABLE, AND IT'S
CLUTTER, I'M SURE, TO MOST
PEOPLE, EVERYWHERE.
>> BILL'S "STUFF," AS WE
LOVINGLY CALL IT.
IT'S LIKE A SAILOR IN THE SEA --
IT'S BILL AND HIS STUFF.
AND IT'S NOT ANYTHING YOU CAN
COMPETE WITH BECAUSE IT'S SO
PRECIOUS TO HIM.
WHEN I LOOK AT THE STUFF IN THIS
HOUSE, I HATE IT.
I TRULY HATE IT.
>> THE CONDITION OF THE HOUSE
AND THE DISORDER CAUSES STRESS
ALL AROUND, STRESS IN OUR
RELATIONSHIP, STRESS IN OUR
DAUGHTER AND OUR RELATIONSHIP.
>> AND BE CAREFUL. IT'S HOT.
>> THANK YOU.
>> OKAY, SWEETIE.
>> MY NAME'S AMELIA SQUIBB, AND
BILL SQUIBB IS MY FATHER.
MOST DIFFICULT THING ABOUT
LIVING WITH HIM IS THE FEELING
OF NOT HAVING A REAL HOUSE.
WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, I DIDN'T
REALLY REALIZE -- I KNEW THAT,
LIKE, MY HOUSE WASN'T CLEAN OR
IT WASN'T NORMAL, I GUESS, WITH
NORMAL SETTING AND STUFF.
BUT I USED TO STAY AT FRIENDS'
HOUSES A LOT, I NOTICED, WHEN I
WAS YOUNGER.
I'M NOT COMFORTABLE IN MY HOUSE.
>> AMELIA PROBABLY SPENDS MOST
OF HER TIME IN HER ROOM.
>> MY ROOM IS DIFFERENT THAN THE
REST OF THE HOUSE.
>> I'D SAY IT'S A CLEAN,
ORGANIZED ENVIRONMENT, NOT A
CLUTTERED ENVIRONMENT AS THE
REST OF THE HOUSE IS.
>> I KIND OF HAVE MY SANCTUARY
OF MY BEDROOM THAT I WALK
DIRECTLY TO.
I THINK BY ME HAVING MY ROOM THE
WAY IT IS, I THINK HE THINKS
THAT'S OKAY AND THAT'S ENOUGH.
I FEEL LIKE HE'S LIKE, "ALL
RIGHT, SHE'S CONTENT.
SHE HAS THAT ROOM."
WHICH, OBVIOUSLY, I'M NOT
CONTENT WITH JUST MY BEDROOM.
THAT MAKES NO SENSE.
I DON'T ACTUALLY GO INTO THE
REST OF MY HOUSE UNLESS I'M
GOING TO DO LAUNDRY, 'CAUSE I
HATE WALKING THROUGH OUR HOUSE.
I HATE SEEING THINGS.
I HATE IT.
IT'S FRUSTRATING FOR ME TO JUST
WALK UPSTAIRS AND SAY SOMETHING
TO SOMEONE UPSTAIRS.
AND IT'S REALLY DIFFICULT TO
DEAL WITH.
>> I DON'T THINK I REALLY
FOCUSED ON THE IMPACT IT WAS
HAVING ON ME AND MY FAMILY.
LORELEI RECENTLY, THIS PAST
YEAR, FELL, INJURING HERSELF
SEVERELY.
>> NOT REALIZING THAT BILL HAD
MOVED ONE OF THE BOXES AT THE
FOOT OF THE STAIRWAY, I ENDED UP
HAVING AN ACCIDENT.
>> SHE FELL DOWN THE STAIRS,
BROKE HER ARM.
>> AND I WAS REALLY ANGRY WITH
BILL.
AND TO THIS DAY, AND IT'S NINE
MONTHS LATER, THOSE BOXES STILL
AREN'T MOVED OFF THE STAIRWAY.
I CAN'T LIVE IN AN ENVIRONMENT
WHERE STUFF COMES BEFORE PEOPLE.
HE'S GONNA HAVE TO MOVE.
I CAN'T DO THIS ANYMORE.
>> WELL, AFTER THE KIDS WERE
REMOVED, PATTY DID TRY.
SHE TRIED TO START IN AND CLEAN
THINGS UP.
SHE GOT NOWHERE WITH IT.
I MEAN, SHE WAS ACTUALLY TRYING,
BUT SHE COULDN'T DO IT.
SHE JUST COULD NOT DO IT.
SOMETHING HAD TO GIVE SOONER OR
LATER.
I THOUGHT THAT WE WERE PROBABLY
HEADED TOWARDS DIVORCE BECAUSE
THAT WAS PROBABLY THE ONLY WAY
THAT I WAS GONNA BE ABLE TO
RETAIN CUSTODY OF THE KIDS,
VERSUS BOTH OF US LOSING
CUSTODY.
>> I KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM
BEFORE THEN, BUT I THINK THAT
WAS THE DEFINING MOMENT AS FAR
AS, "THIS HAS REALLY GOTTEN OUT
OF CONTROL."
>> THE SHORT ANSWER IS THE HOUSE
WAS GONNA HAVE TO BE CLEANED UP.
AND PATTY WAS GONNA HAVE TO GET
HELP.
>> I WISH I COULD BLINK MY EYES
AND SNAP MY FINGERS AND MAKE IT
ALL GO AWAY.
BECAUSE IT'S SO OVERWHELMING.
IT'S SO OVERWHELMING.
>> I'M DR. RENAE REINARDY.
I SPECIALIZE IN WORKING WITH
PEOPLE WITH COMPULSIVE HOARDING,
OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE DISORDER,
AND OTHER ANXIETY DISORDERS.
>> COME ON UP.
WE'LL HEAD TO THE KITCHEN FIRST.
>> OKAY.
>> THIS IS MY MESSY, CLUTTERED
KITCHEN.
[ SIGHS ]
>> I'M A COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL
THERAPIST, WHICH MEANS THAT I
MOSTLY TEACH PEOPLE SKILLS THAT
THEY NEED TO LEARN IN ORDER TO
GET CONTROL OVER THEIR SYMPTOMS.
ARE YOU ABLE TO COOK?
>> YEAH, YEAH, I JUST MOVE THE
STUFF OFF AND MOVE IT AROUND.
YEAH, I KNOW THIS IS NOT IDEAL
AT ALL.
I MEAN, DEFINITELY NOT.
>> WELL, AND IT'S --
>> THE WHOLE HOUSE ISN'T IDEAL.
>> WELL, WE WORK AT IT.
AND THEN YOU SAID THIS IS YOUR
DAUGHTER'S ROOM HERE?
>> YEAH.
>> OKAY, SO, IT LOOKS LIKE A LOT
OF TOYS AND CLOTHES, MOSTLY.
>> NORMALLY, YOU KNOW, SHE HAD A
WAY TO HER BED, BUT I'VE JUST
KIND OF BEEN TOSSING STUFF IN
THERE, TRYING TO GET RID OF IT
ELSEWHERE.
>> AND I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING
THAT WE'RE GONNA WORK A LOT ON
THIS WEEKEND, RIGHT?
SO, HOW ARE YOU FEELING ABOUT
GETTING HELP FROM OTHER PEOPLE
AND HAVING SOME OF THE CREW COME
IN AND --
>> RELIEVED.
>> YEAH.
>> VERY RELIEVED.
A CREW'S GONNA BE COMING IN TO
SORT AND ORGANIZE.
>> I'M DOROTHY BREININGER.
I AM NOT A THERAPIST, BUT I'VE
BEEN DOING THIS FOR OVER 10
YEARS AND REALLY RELATE TO THE
CLIENTS.
OKAY, AND SO I'D LIKE TO TELL
YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT THIS
IS -- A HOARDING JOB.
THAT MEANS WE HAVE A LOT OF
STUFF.
>> I'M FEELING A LITTLE ANXIOUS
THINKING OF ALL THE THINGS THAT
I SHOULD HAVE GONE THROUGH TO
MAKE SURE, YOU KNOW, MY PICTURES
AND MY SENTIMENTAL ITEMS DON'T
GET LOST.
>> UNFORTUNATELY, LIKE IN THE
BASEMENT OR IN THE GARAGE, WE'LL
HAVE SOME CRITTER DROPPINGS,
MAYBE.
WE'RE AT, UNFORTUNATELY, FECES,
DROPPINGS, ALL SORTS OF CRITTER
DROPPINGS.
YOU KNOW, YOU'RE FACING WHAT
COULD BE THE HANTAVIRUS.
WHAT WE DO NEED TO DO IS
PROTECT OURSELVES IN CASE.
THAT'S WHY WE'RE HANDING OUT THE
MASKS.
'CAUSE WE START, YOU KNOW,
MOVING THINGS AROUND, THE DUST
COMES UP, AND WE WANT TO REALLY
TAKE CARE OF OUR RESPIRATORY
SYSTEM.
>> IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT
PEOPLE WANT, BY ANY MEANS,
BECAUSE IT'S VERY EMBARRASSING,
AND IT'S VERY HUMILIATING.
>> IF I WOKE UP TOMORROW AND
EVERYTHING WAS GONE, I WOULD
PROBABLY FREAK OUT.
>> I REFUSE TO FEEL LIKE THIS IS
NORMAL ANYMORE.
I CAN LIVE WITH BILL, BUT I
CAN'T LIVE WITH THE STUFF.
AND IF IT DOESN'T GET SEPARATED,
THEN I'VE GOT NO CHOICE -- HE'S
GONNA HAVE TO MOVE.
>> HI, BILL? DAVID TOLIN.
HOW ARE YOU?
>> MY PLEASURE.
>> NICE TO MEET YOU.
>> LIKEWISE. PLEASE COME IN.
>> WELL, THANKS.
I'M DR. DAVID TOLIN.
I'M DIRECTOR OF THE ANXIETY
DISORDERS CENTER AT THE
INSTITUTE OF LIVING.
WELL, SO, BILL, SHOW ME WHAT'S
IN HERE.
>> WELL, THIS WAS TWO ROOMS.
IT'S NOW ONE LONG ROOM.
AND OUR MUSIC/PLANT ROOM, SO TO
SPEAK, ON THIS END, AND THIS IS
THE DINING ROOM.
>> IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE A WHOLE
LOT OF MUSIC AND DINING IS GOING
ON HERE.
>> VERY LITTLE AT THE MOMENT.
>> OKAY.
MY FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS IS
GOING TO BE TO TRY TO GET TO
KNOW BILL AND TRY TO UNDERSTAND
WHY HE'S SAVING THESE THINGS.
>> THIS AREA RIGHT HERE IS
PRETTY MUCH A LIBRARY.
IT'S MOSTLY -- IT'S ALL BOOKS
AND MAGAZINES.
>> OKAY, EXCESSIVE, YOU THINK,
OR JUST RIGHT?
>> TO ME, JUST RIGHT.
MAYBE THAT'S ANOTHER PART OF MY
HOARDING, IS INFORMATION
HOARDING.
>> JUST KIND OF LOOKING, A
COUPLE THINGS CAUGHT MY EYE.
I SEE A "BEST BUYS FOR YOUR
HOME" FOR 2002 AND A TAX GUIDE
FOR 1988.
DO YOU THINK MAYBE YOU'RE
HANGING ON TO THINGS THAT ARE
NOT GONNA BE THAT HELPFUL FOR
YOU?
>> UH, A LITTLE OUT OF DATE IN
SOME CASES, YEAH.
I'M NERVOUS, A LITTLE SCARED.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE ENTIRE
PROCESS IS, SO THERE'S THAT, I
GUESS, FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN.
>> BILL, THIS IS CALLED A
NON-SHOPPING TRIP.
>> NON-SHOPPING.
>> NON-SHOPPING TRIP.
RIGHT NOW WHAT'S HAPPENING IS
THAT BILL IS GOING OUT AND
BRINGING EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF
THINGS INTO THE HOME.
SO THE FIRST PIECE IS TO STOP
WHAT'S COMING IN SO THAT AT
LEAST WE CAN CONTROL THE DAMAGE.
>> MY TENDENCY IS TO GET LOST IN
HOME IMPROVEMENTS OR
LUMBERYARDS, PARTICULARLY IF
THERE'S THINGS ON SALE.
>> WHAT DID YOU FIND?
>> THEY GOT SOME NEW DISPLAYS ON
KITCHEN CABINETS.
>> YEAH?
>> WHEN I SEE THINGS THAT ARE
GREAT BUYS, IT'S ALMOST
IRRESISTIBLE.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S ALMOST A
COMPULSION.
THAT WOULD JUMP AT ME AS OF
INTEREST.
>> THIS ONE.
>> YES.
IF THERE ARE SALES OR SOMETHING
THAT I'M REALLY GETTING A BUY
ON, IT'S LIKE A MAGNET, AND I
BOUGHT KITCHENS, A WHOLE ARRAY
OF CABINETS FOR AN APARTMENT I
WAS GOING TO RENOVATE.
AND WE WOULD HAVE RENTED IF IT
WASN'T FOR THE FACT THAT IT'S
FULL OF MY STUFF.
>> THERE ARE AREAS WHERE WE
COULD BE BRINGING IN RENTAL
INCOME OF PROBABLY $4,000 A
MONTH.
BUT THOSE APARTMENTS HAVE NOT
BEEN RENTED FOR YEARS, FOR AS
LONG AS I'VE KNOWN BILL.
SO IT IS A HUGE MONETARY COST TO
US.
>> DEFINING YOURSELF AS A
HANDYMAN IS FINE IF THE REASON
YOU DO IT IS THAT YOU ACTUALLY
ARE BUILDING AND FIXING THINGS.
ON THE OTHER HAND, IF YOU'RE
DERIVING THAT SENSE OF IDENTITY
BECAUSE OF THE THINGS YOU OWN,
THEN ALL THAT'S REALLY DOING IS
FOOLING YOURSELF AND GIVING
YOURSELF MORE AND MORE REASONS
TO LET THINGS PILE UP AND LET
YOUR ACTUAL QUALITY OF LIFE
DETERIORATE.
DO YOU GET A SENSE THAT THIS
POSES ANY KIND OF A HAZARD?
>> IT DOES.
>> IT DOES?
>> LORELEI GOT INJURED BECAUSE
OF COMING DOWN THE STAIRS IN THE
NIGHT.
SHE FELL AT THE BOTTOM OF THE
STAIRS AND BROKE HER ARM.
>> SO AFTER SHE BROKE HER ARM,
DID YOU CLEAR OFF THE STAIRS?
>> UH, NO, NOT REALLY.
UH, IT NEEDS TO BE DONE.
I HATE TO SAY THAT IT TOOK
SOMETHING LIKE THAT TO OCCUR TO
MAKE ME WANT TO FOCUS AND GET
THE HOUSE PICKED UP AND CLEANED
UP.
WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT
THIS.
IT'S NOT GONNA BE AN EASY
PROCESS.
I DON'T EXPECT IT TO BE.
IT'S GONNA BE A VERY DIFFICULT
PROCESS.
>> OKAY. YEAH.
OH, BABY.
SO YOU'RE JUST SEPARATING BAGS
AND BOXES.
THAT'S IT FOR NOW.
YEAH, I'M A LITTLE NERVOUS,
BUT PART OF ME IS RELIEVED THAT
THIS IS GETTING DONE.
ANOTHER PART OF ME IS A LITTLE
ANXIOUS ABOUT THINGS POSSIBLY,
YOU KNOW, GETTING TOSSED THAT
ARE OF IMPORTANCE.
BUT I WANT MY KIDS BACK, AND
THAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE.
HEY, DOROTHY?
CAN YOU MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE
GOING THROUGH THE BOXES
THOROUGHLY AND NOTHING IS LEFT
IN THE BOXES?
>> OH, YES.
THEY CAN'T FLATTEN A BOX WITHOUT
MAKING SURE STUFF IS OUT.
>> OKAY.
>> BUT STILL, NOTHING'S BEING
THROWN AWAY.
>> I KNOW THAT.
>> YEAH.
>> I GUESS ONE THING THAT
WORRIES ME IS THE POTENTIAL
TRASH PILES.
LIKE THE WAGON THAT'S OVER
THERE.
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
>> NOT TRASH.
>> NOPE.
>> SO I DON'T KNOW WHY IT'S OVER
THERE.
WELL, DOROTHY HAS TOLD EVERYBODY
THAT IT'S IMPORTANT NOT TO THROW
THINGS OUT, CATEGORIZE THINGS,
ORGANIZE THINGS, AND IT'S
IMPORTANT TO ME.
HEY, GUYS?
ARE YOU FOR SURE NOTHING IS --
>> YEAH, WE SORTED THROUGH ALL
THAT STUFF.
>> ALL THOSE BOXES ARE SORTED
THROUGH.
>> EVERYTHING WAS EMPTIED OUT,
AND IT'S JUST CARDBOARD BOXES.
>> OKAY. ALL RIGHT.
>> WELL, UP TO THIS POINT -- AND
I'M SURPRISED SHE AGREED TO DO
IT IN THE FIRST PLACE -- I'M A
LITTLE SKEPTICAL...
JUST TO SEE HOW THIS IS ALL
GONNA HAPPEN.
TO SEE ALL THE STUFF THAT'S COME
OUT OF THAT GARAGE, IT'S AMAZING
TO SEE IT ALL SCATTERED OUT ALL
OVER THE DRIVEWAY AND THE LAWN.
WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN WITH ALL
THIS STUFF?
IS PATTY GONNA LET LOOSE OF IT?
IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN.
>> KITE STRING IS GOOD.
>> WAGON -- KEEP.
VALENTINE CONTAINER IS GOOD.
>> VALENTINE CONTAINER IS GOOD.
THIS I WANT TO KEEP.
KEEP. KEEP THAT. KEEP.
AND THE TOASTER.
SENTIMENTAL VALUE.
[ LAUGHS ]
EW, EW.
>> AND THIS IS...?
>> AND THAT I HAVEN'T DECIDED
YET.
[ LAUGHS ]
THAT'S IN THE "I'M NOT SURE"
PILE.
OH, MY GOSH.
THERE'S JUST SO MUCH STUFF.
THERE IS SO MUCH STUFF.
>> HERE YOU GO.
HERE YOU GO.
>> ANYBODY NEED A SHOVEL?
WHEN WE GET INTO A BASEMENT AND
INTO A GARAGE, WE WIND UP, WELL,
COMING HEAD-ON WITH SOME
CRITTERS.
AND IN ADDITION, WE ACTUALLY
HAVE USED SOME SHOVELS.
YOU KNOW, WHEN WE GET INTO THE
BASEMENT, THINGS KIND OF CRUMBLE
A LITTLE BIT.
THERE'S NO WAY TO PICK IT UP
WITH YOUR HANDS.
AND THAT'S DISTURBING.
IT'S DISTURBING FOR US TO HAVE
TO DO IT, FOR HER TO SEE IT, AND
IT'S WHAT'S SO.
THAT'S THE REALITY OF IT.
>> [ SOBBING ]
GOT TO ME WITH THOSE CRITTER
DROPPINGS.
I KNOW THEY'RE THERE, BUT...
>> MM-HMM.
>> ...IT JUST HURTS TO HEAR.
>> I THINK IT'S REALLY
HUMILIATING.
>> THERE'S NO WAY TO FIX IT.
>> YEAH, THERE IS.
>> NO, THERE ISN'T.
>> EVERYTHING CAN BE FIXED.
AND NOTHING HAS TO BE PERFECT.
>> I WAS FEELING A LITTLE
REVEALED -- A LOT OF REVEALED, A
LOT OF EXPOSED.
YOU KNOW, THIS HAS BEEN KIND OF
MY DIRTY LITTLE SECRET FOR QUITE
SOME TIME, AND, YOU KNOW, TO
KNOW THAT PEOPLE ARE SEEING THIS
AND THAT I'M HAVING TO EXPOSE
MYSELF -- IT'S A LITTLE
DIFFICULT.
MM.
>> SO, WHERE ARE WE STARTING?
>> DINING ROOM.
>> THE DINING/MUSIC/DUMPING
GROUND.
>> CORRECT. THAT'S A GOOD PLACE.
>> SO, TELL ME WHAT WE HAVE
HERE.
>> THE ENTIRE BAG THAT YOU HAVE
IN YOUR HAND IS "KEEP."
>> WHY DON'T WE TAKE A LOOK AT
THAT BEFORE WE MAKE THAT
JUDGMENT?
>> ALL RIGHT.
THIS IS A "KEEP."
IT'S A BAG OF KEYS.
THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL...TOOL.
>> MM-HMM.
>> I ACTUALLY DON'T KNOW HOW
THAT GOT IN THERE.
>> I HAVE NO IDEA.
>> UH, ANOTHER ELECTRICAL
INSTRUMENT.
BACK BRACE.
SAW BLADES.
A HAT.
>> WHAT IS THAT?
>> IT'S VERY BECOMING, ALSO.
STUD FINDER. THAT'S "KEEP."
>> LET ME ASK YOU A QUESTION
HERE, BILL.
HOW MANY STUD FINDERS DO YOU
HAVE?
>> TWO.
>> TWO?
HOW MANY STUD FINDERS DO YOU
NEED?
>> TWO.
MY CONNECTION TO MY THINGS IS
MULTIFOLD.
IT'S IF I THROW IT AWAY, I'M
GOING TO NEED IT, OR, BETTER, IF
I THROW IT AWAY, THEN I'M GONNA
IMMEDIATELY NEED IT AS SOON AS
I'VE THROWN IT AWAY.
>> THOSE USED TO BE MY MAKEUP
CLEANERS.
>> YEAH, THEY WERE HAND
CLEANERS.
I'M NOT SURE THAT THERE'S EVEN
ANY IN THEM.
YES, THERE ARE.
>> THOSE WERE FACE WASHERS, AND
THEY'RE DEFINITELY DRIED OUT.
THAT'S WHY I THREW THEM AWAY.
>> WAIT.
AMELIA, YOU THREW THESE AWAY?
>> YEP, IN MY GARBAGE.
>> YOU THREW THEM AWAY IN THE
GARBAGE.
>> HE GOES THROUGH MY TRASH.
WHEN I THROW AWAY GARBAGE -- HE
ALWAYS TAKES OUT THE GARBAGE ON
FRIDAYS, AND HE ALWAYS GOES
THROUGH MY GARBAGE 'CAUSE
EVERYTHING NEEDS TO BE RECYCLED.
>> HOW DID THEY MAKE THEIR WAY
IN HERE, BILL?
>> THEY GET RECYCLED.
I USE THEM TO WASH GREASE OFF MY
HANDS.
>> YOU WENT INTO THE GARBAGE CAN
AND GOT THEM.
>> NO, THERE'S A --
>> HER BEDROOM BUCKET.
>> YEAH, HER BEDROOM TRASH CAN.
>> RIGHT.
>> OKAY.
>> I SEE A NEED TO RECYCLE
EVERYTHING, PROBABLY TO AN
EXTREME.
>> RECYCLING'S FANTASTIC.
HOARDING -- HOARDING IS NOT SO
FANTASTIC.
AND THERE'S A FINE LINE HERE,
AND I JUST -- AS LONG AS WE CAN
MAKE SURE YOU STAY ON THIS SIDE
OF THAT LINE.
>> SHOULD WE TELL THEM TO TAKE
THIS GAZEBO, OR IS THAT NOT A
GOOD IDEA?
>> I THINK THAT -- I THINK THAT
THAT'S A GOOD IDEA.
IT'S NOT -- IT'S TRULY NOT GONNA
GET USED.
THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER THINGS
THAT HAVE TO GET TAKEN CARE OF
FIRST.
>> MY ISSUE IS THAT WE'RE DOING
STUFF BEHIND HIS BACK, AND I'M
KIND OF SCARED HE'S GONNA NOT
TRUST US ANYMORE.
>> UM...
>> WOULD YOU GET THAT SCREEN
ACTUALLY BACK OUT -- THE WOODEN
ONE?
I DECIDED IT WAS GONNA GO 'CAUSE
IT'S ALL RIPPED.
IT'S RATTY.
AND THEN I HAD THIS HORRIBLE
FEELING OF MY FATHER YELLING AT
ME AND JUST BEING SO ANGRY AT ME
FOR MOVING IT.
AND I COULD JUST SEE SUCH BAD
THINGS COMING FROM IT AND
DECIDED TO HAVE THEM GO TAKE IT
OUT OF THE TRUCK AND BRING IT
BACK ONTO OUR PORCH,
UNFORTUNATELY.
>> THIS IS ALL CONSTRUCTION
SUPPLIES.
>> NO, IT'S NOT.
>> IT'S NOT.
>> SEEING HOW DIFFICULT IT IS TO
LET GO OF THINGS, AMELIA WAS
GETTING FRUSTRATED WITH ME
AGAIN.
>> THAT'S FOR A PAPER-TOWEL
HOLDER FOR THE BUILDING.
>> WHAT BUILDING?
>> WHERE WE'RE WORKING.
>> WHY IS IT HERE?
>> HUH?
>> WHY IS IT HERE?
>> BECAUSE IT HASN'T GOTTEN OVER
THERE YET.
>> WE HAVE THIS HORRIBLE PROBLEM
OF THE TWO OF US BOTH YELL AT
EACH OTHER NOW, LIKE, 'CAUSE WE
INSTANTLY GET INTO AN ARGUMENT
THAT ESCALATES WAY TOO FAST WHEN
WE SHOULD JUST BE TALKING.
AND IT'S THE FRUSTRATION COMING
OUT, PURELY, AND I KNOW THAT.
I DON'T THINK WE REALLY NEED
CHALK, SO I WOULD SAY THAT WOULD
BE GONE.
>> THAT IS ALL CONSTRUCTION
SUPPLIES.
>> HOW ABOUT THIS?
>> OH, STRINGS, ALL RIGHT.
>> AND THIS.
AND A PEANUT-BUTTER JAR OF
CONSTRUCTION SUPPLIES?
>> YEAH.
IT DOESN'T BELONG HERE IN THE
HOUSE.
>> RIGHT.
>> I AGREE.
>> YOU'RE SAYING THIS HAS
NOTHING TO DO WITH OUR HOUSE.
IT REALLY BELONGS TO ANOTHER
APARTMENT, ANOTHER PLACE.
>> CORRECT.
>> IT'S JUST HAPPENED TO HAVE
"LANDED" HERE.
BUT EVERYTHING HAPPENS TO LAND
HERE, SO IT DOES AFFECT US
GREATLY.
>> I GUESS I ACQUIRED FOR A
PURPOSE, BUT TO JUST DISPOSE OF
IT IS WASTEFUL.
>> YES.
HERE'S WHAT I'M HEARING YOU SAY.
"I PICK UP THESE THINGS, AND I
SAVE THESE THINGS SO THAT I CAN
MAKE A NICE HOME FOR MY FAMILY."
IS THAT HOW IT GOES?
>> THAT'S A MUCH BETTER WAY OF
PHRASING IT.
>> HOW IS THAT WORKING FOR YOU,
BILL?
>> I'M SCARED THAT HE'S GONNA
COMPLETELY BREAK DOWN OF IT AND
NOT BE ABLE TO DO IT.
I HAVE A FEAR THAT HE'LL HIT A
POINT OF, "NO, NOT DOING IT.
NO, I NEED THAT.
THAT CANNOT GO," AND JUST NOT
GETTING ANY RESULTS.
>> I CAN FEEL MY ANXIETY
BUILDING UP, AND I CAN FEEL
MYSELF TIGHTENING UP.
>> YEAH.
>> WE JUST DON'T NEED TO BE
SAVING THIS MUCH STUFF TO BEGIN
WITH.
WE SUFFER AS A FAMILY, AND IT
MAKES ME ANGRY AND RESENTFUL AND
GIVES ME LARGE FEELINGS OF
HOPELESSNESS.
>> BILL, WHAT'S GOING THROUGH
YOUR MIND AS YOU'RE HEARING
THIS?
>> DESPAIR.
I DON'T SEE A LIGHT AT THE END
OF THE TUNNEL.
I'M UPSET.
>> YEAH.
TELL ME ABOUT THE UPSETNESS.
LET'S GET IT OUT THERE.
>> I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN RIGHT
NOW.
I THINK I JUST NEED TO TAKE A
BREAK FROM IT, IF I MAY.
>> ABSOLUTELY, THAT'S FINE.
>> RIGHT.
>> ALL RIGHT.
>> [ SIGHS ]
>> IS THERE A POSSIBILITY THAT
BILL MIGHT QUIT?
ABSOLUTELY.
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS ]
>> [ SIGHS ]
THE MOST DIFFICULT PART OF THE
WHOLE PROCESS IS THE WHOLE
PROCESS.
WENT IN THIS MORNING SEEING HOW
MUCH THERE WAS LEFT TO DO.
I WAS A LITTLE DISHEARTENED, I
GUESS, BECAUSE THERE WAS SO MUCH
LEFT TO DO.
>> DAVE?
>> YEAH?
I WAS EXTREMELY FRUSTRATED THIS
MORNING JUST AT THE PACE OF
THINGS.
AND WE HADN'T EVEN GOTTEN INTO
THE MAIN LIVING AREA OF THE
HOUSE YET.
WHAT CONCERNS ME IS NOT ONLY
FINISHING THIS WEEKEND BUT, DOWN
THE ROAD, I GUESS I DON'T EVEN
KNOW IF WE'RE GONNA GET TO THE
POINT WHERE THE KIDS ARE GONNA
BE ALLOWED TO COME BACK HOME.
>> WELL, THE PROGRESS IS A
LITTLE SLOWER THAN WE EXPECT.
IT ALWAYS GOES THAT WAY.
WE HAVE TO HAVE ALL THIS
SOMEWHERE BEFORE WE LEAVE TODAY.
IT'S NOT EASY TO SEE YOUR THINGS
BEING SHOVELED AROUND AND MOVED
INTO BOXES.
IT IS GOING TO STING A LITTLE
BIT.
WE DON'T HAVE THE LUXURY OF TIME
IN ORDER TO BUILD UP ALL OF
THESE SKILLS AND DEAL WITH
THINGS IN A MORE CONTROLLED WAY.
>> HEY, GENE.
>> ALL RIGHT.
WE'RE GONNA CHITCHAT TRASH.
>> YEAH.
THANK YOU.
I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S LETTING GO
OF THINGS.
I DON'T KNOW IF I FORM
ATTACHMENTS TO THEM, SENTIMENTAL
ATTACHMENTS.
THAT IS...ACTUALLY A GOOD SHIRT.
ESPECIALLY TO SOME OF MY
CHILDREN'S THINGS.
OR I THINK, GOSH, I MIGHT HAVE
A NEED FOR THAT LATER ON DOWN
THE ROAD.
A BIG SLURPEE CUP -- DO I NEED
THIS?
>> WELL, LET ME JUST ASK YOU.
YOU KNOW WHAT'S IN THE HOUSE,
AND YOU KNOW WHAT'S RIGHT THERE,
AND YOU KNOW WE'RE DESPERATE FOR
SPACE.
>> YEAH, THAT'S TRUE.
>> SO HOW WOULD YOU MAKE THE
CHOICE?
>> I CAN'T.
>> ALL RIGHT.
>> I'M FEELING REALLY STUPID,
DOROTHY.
>> OKAY, YOU DON'T KNOW.
>> THAT'S STUPID.
I'M FEELING BIG-TIME STUPID.
>> MAYBE THAT'S A GOOD THING.
>> THAT'S -- YEAH, THAT I FEEL
STUPID AND HUMILIATED AND REALLY
STUPID AND HUMILIATED --
BRILLIANT.
YEAH, I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU.
>> OKAY, SO...
>> COMING INTO THIS, I WAS
ENVISIONING THIS WHOLE HOUSE
BEING CLEARED.
AND THERE'S OBVIOUSLY STILL A
LOT OF STUFF HERE, AND THAT
MAKES ME NERVOUS BECAUSE WE'RE
RUNNING OUT OF ROOM.
I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE REST OF
THIS STUFF IS GONNA GO.
AND THAT'S A BIG CONCERN.
>> THERE WERE SOME ANXIETY
POINTS FOR PATTY THROUGHOUT THE
DAY.
>> WE HAVE SO MUCH MORE TO GO.
>> YES, WE DO, BUT WE'RE OKAY.
>> OKAY.
OVER IN THAT CORNER SOMEWHERE IS
A BIG, HUGE PICTURE OF MY
DAUGHTER, OKAY?
>> EVEN THOUGH SHE TRUSTS US,
EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, YOU KNOW,
SHE'S GOT A GROOVE THAT HAS BEEN
MANAGED ONE WAY, WHICH IS,
"NOBODY CAN EVER UNDERSTAND MY
STUFF OR TREAT IT WITH THE
RESPECT THAT I WANT THEM TO."
>> BE CAREFUL WITH THAT ONE,
OKAY?
>> BRING IT OVER.
>> NO DIRTY FINGERS, NO NOTHING.
UNH-UNH-UNH, WATCH, WATCH.
WATCH OUT, PLEASE.
OH, YEAH, GET HELP SO THE BOTTOM
DOESN'T FALL OUT.
>> PATTY, DO YOU WANT TO BE
ELSEWHERE, OR ARE YOU OKAY?
>> OOH, OOH, THERE'S PAPERWORK
ON THE BACK OF IT.
YOU'RE DROPPING PAPERWORK.
>> YOU WANT TO BE WITH US, OR
YOU WANT TO MOVE OUT?
>> I'LL BE BACK.
I NEED SOME MEDITATION.
>> WELL, IF EVER YOU NEED ONE OF
THOSE...
[ GASPS ]
YOU NEED TO COME IN CLOSE ON
THIS.
THE 10 COMMANDMENTS OF CLUTTER.
THERE'S AN IRONY ABOUT THIS
SOMEWHERE.
I DON'T THINK THIS IS GOING TO
BE AN EASY CHANGE FOR BILL.
I'M TRULY HOPING THAT CLEARING
SOME SPACES WILL ALLOW HIM TO
SEE WHAT HE'S BEEN MISSING AND
ALLOW HIM TO CLEAR SPACE IN HIS
HEAD.
>> IF YOU THUMB THROUGH ANY
GIVEN MAGAZINE, YOU'LL FIND
SOMETHING THAT'S INTERESTING TO
YOU.
>> THAT'S TRUE.
>> I GUESS THE QUESTION IS DOES
A MAGAZINE FROM 2001 REALLY
WARRANT PLACEMENT IN YOUR HOME,
OR COULD YOU SIMPLY TAKE THE
RISK AND SAY, "I CAN GET THIS
ELSEWHERE IF I NEED IT"?
>> UH, I CAN COMPROMISE.
[ CHUCKLES ]
AMELIA'S EXPECTATIONS WERE MUCH
HIGHER THAN WHAT WE'VE
ACCOMPLISHED SO FAR.
AND I KNEW, WHEN SHE CAME UP THE
STAIRS, THAT SHE WAS GONNA BE
UNHAPPY.
I KNOW YOU'RE SHUDDERING.
>> YOU DON'T NEED THOSE.
>> I HAVE A COMPUTER THAT USES
THEM, YES.
>> NO, PUT THEM ON A CD OR A USB
OR SOMETHING, ON A FLASH DRIVE.
YOU DO NOT NEED THAT.
>> JUST LET ME LOOK AT THE BOX
FOR A MOMENT.
MY BUTTING HEADS WITH MY
DAUGHTER, AMELIA, HAPPENS
OCCASIONALLY.
SHE GETS QUITE FRUSTRATED.
>> THERE ARE MAGAZINES ON THE
FRICKING STAIRCASE.
>> THEY DON'T BELONG HERE.
>> THEY DON'T BELONG IN THE
HOUSE.
WHERE ARE YOU GONNA PUT THEM, IN
THE STORAGE SHED THAT YOU'RE
SUPPOSED TO GO THROUGH, AND MOVE
THEM BACK OUT INTO ANOTHER
PLACE?
>> THEN I'LL PUT THEM IN THE
SHOP WHEN I GET IT.
>> I'M GONNA MOVE THEM AND MOVE
THEM AND MOVE THEM.
THEY'RE GONNA BE IN A SHOP THREE
CITIES OVER THAT YOU'RE NEVER
GONNA BE ABLE TO GET TO TO READ.
>> SHE DOES HAVE A POINT.
>> IT'S SO FRUSTRATING.
>> SHE'S FRUSTRATED BY MY NOT
DOING IT.
I'M GONNA BE FRUSTRATED BY DOING
IT.
>> THAT'S RIGHT.
SOMEBODY'S GONNA BE FRUSTRATED
TODAY.
>> IT TAKES A VERY LONG TIME,
AND THAT WAS REALLY DISCOURAGING
TO ME, 'CAUSE JUST THE AMOUNT OF
STUFF WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH --
IT JUST DOESN'T -- IT CAN'T ADD
UP RIGHT.
LIKE, THERE'S NO WAY THAT IT'LL
EVER HAPPEN IF IT HAS TO
CONTINUE AT THE PACE THAT IT'S
GOING.
>> YOU'RE LOOKING FOR ME TO SAY
"QUALITY OF LIFE" OR SOMETHING.
AND I DON'T SEE HOW THAT'S GONNA
HELP OR ACHIEVE THAT.
>> YOU'RE NOT GONNA HAVE
NEWSPAPERS ON THE STAIRS THAT
MOM IS GONNA TRIP ON AND FALL
DOWN THE STAIRS.
>> THESE AREN'T NEWSPAPERS.
>> I REALLY FELT LIKE WE WERE
NEVER GONNA GET ANYWHERE WITH
THIS.
EVERY BOX WAS SOMETHING ELSE HE
HAD TO GO THROUGH.
EVERY MAGAZINE WAS SOMETHING
THAT HE WAS GONNA HAVE TO HAVE
TIME TO READ, AND HE WAS NEVER
GOING TO CATCH UP.
>> AT WHAT POINT, BILL, DO YOU
JUST SAY, "ENOUGH," DO YOU JUST
SAY, "IT ENDS NOW.
IT ENDS HERE.
I'M NOT GONNA BE A HOARDER
ANYMORE"?
>> I CAN'T DO THAT.
>> IN SOME WAYS, IT WAS THE
PERFECT STORM FOR BILL'S
HOARDING, BECAUSE IT CONTAINED
EVERY ELEMENT OF WHAT HE LIKES
TO SAVE, RIGHT THERE IN THAT
BOX.
>> I'M FEELING RESENTMENT,
ANGER, UM...AND THAT'S SHUTTING
ME DOWN.
AND, YOU KNOW, SHE'S VERY UPSET.
I CAN'T --
>> TAKE THE BOX. JUST KEEP IT.
>> I CAN'T SOLVE THAT RIGHT NOW.
I JUST CAN'T. I CAN'T DO IT.
>> I FEEL LIKE WE DIDN'T
ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING.
I FEEL LIKE IT'S GONNA BE BACK
TO WHAT IT WAS AND IT'S NOT
GONNA CHANGE.
>> SO I AM SHUTTING DOWN.
I'M NOT GONNA DEAL WITH IT.
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS ]
>> THE GAME PLAN FOR TODAY IS
FINISHING UP SOME OF THE
ODDS-AND-ENDS ITEMS THAT WE HAVE
TO DO, MAKING SURE THAT IT'S A
SAFE ENVIRONMENT.
THINGS THAT I'M DOING RIGHT NOW,
WITH PATTY'S PERMISSION, HAS
BEEN TO GO THROUGH, GET RID OF
ANY FOOD THAT'S EXPIRED.
AND THAT HAPPENS BECAUSE
THINGS -- WE DON'T GET TO THE
BACK OF THE FRIDGE.
WE DON'T ALWAYS GET TO THE TOP
OF THE FRIDGE.
SO ITEMS DO EXPIRE.
AND BEING CAREFUL ABOUT MOUSE
POOP WHEN IT'S ON STUFF OR ANY
KIND OF INDICATORS OF
CRITTERS -- WE WANT TO MAKE SURE
TO GET RID OF THAT TO MAKE IT A
SAFE ENVIRONMENT.
IF STUFF HAS BLACK MOLD ON IT...
>> RIGHT.
>> ...IT WAS SOMETHING THAT I
JUST DIDN'T LOOK TOO CLOSELY AT
IT.
>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY, YEAH.
I AGREE.
THIS IS PAINFUL DOING THIS.
YOU KNOW WHAT?
>> DO YOU WANT ME TO GO IN
INSTEAD?
>> NO, I CAN DO IT.
IT'S JUST -- IT'S EMBARRASSING
AND HUMILIATING, VERY.
[ SIGHS ]
ALL RIGHT, I'M GOOD.
>> OKAY, SO, WHAT DO YOU WANT TO
TELL ME ABOUT THE EMBARRASSMENT
RIGHT NOW?
>> [ SIGHS ]
'CAUSE THIS IS MY DAUGHTER'S
ROOM, AND IT SHOULDN'T LOOK LIKE
THIS.
HER ROOM SHOULD NOT BE THIS WAY.
IT SHOULD BE PRETTY AND NICE AND
NEAT.
>> IT SHOULD BE NICE AND NEAT.
I KNOW THAT.
>> IT SHOULDN'T LOOK LIKE THIS.
>> DID SHE DO ALL THIS?
>> NO, SHE DIDN'T DO ANY OF IT.
I DID IT.
I JUST FELT BURIED IN ALL THAT
STUFF.
AND IT WAS SO EMBARRASSING AND
SO HUMILIATING BECAUSE THEY
SHOULD BE MY KIDS' SPACE, AND
THEY HAVEN'T BEEN, AND I'VE
CREATED WHAT'S IN THERE, NOT MY
KIDS.
>> ALL RIGHT.
>> I THINK WE'RE GOOD.
I THINK WE'RE GOOD.
>> [ GROANS ]
[ INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS ]
>> IT WAS AN ANGRY SILENCE.
IT WAS CLEARLY OBVIOUS THAT HE
WANTED TO THROW IN THE TOWEL AT
SEVERAL JUNCTURES.
[ DOG BARKS ]
>> I WANT THIS TO HAPPEN AND GET
BETTER.
I DON'T WANT TO REGRESS.
>> I DON'T WANT YOU TO, EITHER.
I WANT SOMETHING TO HAPPEN, TOO.
BUT THIS -- WHAT I'M TRYING TO
SAY TO YOU IS I UNDERSTAND YOU
WERE DONE.
>> I WASN'T DONE.
>> AND I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU
WERE REALLY STRESSFUL.
>> WHEN I SAID I'M DONE, I
WASN'T DONE UPSTAIRS.
I WAS DONE WITH THE PROCESS.
I WAS AT OVERLOAD AND WANTED
NOTHING TO DO WITH -- ANY MORE
TO DO WITH HOARDING OR THE
SOLUTION OF THE PROBLEM OR
ANYTHING WHEN I CAME BACK IN.
I WAS FINISHED FOR THE DAY.
AND I WAS JUST -- I ALMOST
WALKED AWAY AND DIDN'T COME
BACK.
IF I HADN'T GONE FOR THAT WALK,
I WOULD HAVE -- THAT'S IT.
>> BUT IF WE JUST SAY, "WHEW,
WOW, THANK GOD THAT'S OVER.
YOU KNOW, IT WAS A GREAT
LEARNING EXPERIENCE, TA-DA," AND
KEEP ON GOING, WE'RE GONNA BE
BACK HERE IN LESS THAN A WEEK,
BECAUSE THERE'S MORE THAN ENOUGH
BOXES TO FILL THE SPACES WE'VE
CLEANED.
AND I DON'T WANT THAT TO HAPPEN.
THE RESULTS WILL BE DISASTROUS
FOR THE FAMILY.
>> MM-HMM.
>> MY BIGGEST CONCERN SEEING
RESULTS WAS I WASN'T HAPPY.
OKAY, SURE, HE CLEANED THE
STAIRS.
SURE, HE CLEANED OFF THE TABLE.
GREAT, WE STILL HAVE THIS ENTIRE
HOUSE THAT WE HAVE NOT EVEN
REMOTELY TOUCHED.
AND HE WAS HAVING SUCH A HARD
TIME GOING THROUGH THINGS THAT
SHOULDN'T EVEN MATTER.
>> THIS IS GOING TO BE MONTHS,
MAYBE EVEN YEARS.
IT'S GONNA TAKE BILL AND THE
FAMILY A LONG TIME TO GET RID OF
THIS.
THIS STUFF DIDN'T HAPPEN
OVERNIGHT, AND IT'S NOT GONNA
LEAVE OVERNIGHT.
>> ONCE THE DOCTOR'S GONE, ONCE
WE'RE BACK TO OUR DAILY LIFE,
IT'S JUST NOT GONNA CHANGE.
>> AMELIA HASN'T GOTTEN OVER HER
UNHAPPINESS AT THE MOMENT
BECAUSE OF THAT FEAR THAT IT'S
NOT GONNA GO FORWARD, THAT I'M
GONNA REGRESS.
IT'S HAPPENED IN THE PAST, AND
IT BECOMES A NEVER-ENDING
BATTLE.
I DON'T WANT THAT TO HAPPEN.
>> I TRULY FEEL THAT IF THIS
STARTS TO REVERT BACK TO THE WAY
IT WAS, ONE, I'M GONNA PICK
STUFF UP AND THROW IT OUT IN THE
BACKYARD -- IT'S GONNA BE DONE
WITH -- BUT I CAN'T LIVE THIS
WAY, AND IT'S GOING TO HAVE TO
BE AN ULTIMATUM.
HE'S GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE HIS
STUFF AND MOVE TO AN APARTMENT.
I CAN'T DO THIS.
>> OH, MY GOSH.
A MIRACLE HAS HAPPENED.
IT JUST GAVE ME, LIKE, THIS HOPE
AND ENLIGHTENMENT FOR HOW THINGS
ARE GOING TO BE FROM HERE ON
OUT.
I STILL HAVE THOSE VISIONS IN MY
MIND ABOUT ALL THE PILES OF
STUFF ON MY TABLE AND ON MY
COUNTER AND EVERYWHERE ELSE.
AND IT FEELS SO DIFFERENT NOW --
NO PRISON WALLS, NO STUFF, NO
CRINGING WHEN I WALK IN MY FRONT
DOOR.
IT FEELS GREAT.
IT'S LIKE A REBIRTH, A SECOND
CHANCE.
>> WHAT DO YOU THINK?
>> I'M THINKING HOW EXCITED MY
DAUGHTER'S GONNA BE WHEN SHE
WALKS IN THERE AND SEES A ROOM
THAT SHE CAN'T EVER REMEMBER
HAVING SEEN.
>> UH-HUH.
>> SHE'S GONNA BE TOTALLY
ELATED TO HAVE ALL THAT SPACE
THAT'S ALL HER OWN.
>> MM-HMM.
>> WELL, FROM THE TIME THIS
STARTED AND THE GARAGE DOOR
OPENED ON THE FIRST DAY, TO
WHERE IT IS RIGHT NOW AND HOW
FAR THIS HAS COME, IT'S
BOGGLING.
WHEN I WALKED INTO THIS ROOM, I
LOST IT.
I JUST -- I HADN'T SEEN THIS
FLOOR IN I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY
YEARS.
AND PATTY SAID SOMETHING ABOUT
THE KIDS, HOW THEY'RE GONNA
REACT, AND I JUST LOST IT.
THE BOTTOM LINE OF THIS WHOLE
THING IS THIS IS ABOUT THE KIDS.
THIS IS FOR THEM.
>> I MEAN, IT WAS REALLY, REALLY
DIFFICULT FOR ME TO DECIDE TO
OPEN MYSELF UP AND TO EXPOSE
MYSELF, BECAUSE THIS IS
SOMETHING THAT NOBODY LIKES TO
SHARE WITH ANYONE.
BUT I KNEW IT WAS MY ONLY CHANCE
AT GETTING MY KIDS BACK.