Collector Care Book Review: Buried in Treasures
Help for Compulsive Acquiring, Saving, and Hoarding.
By David F. Tolin, Randy O. Frost, and Gail Steketee.
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Buried in Treasures can be read by an acquirer, a saver, a hoarder, a loved one,
or a professional wanting to learn more about beating hoarding. If self-help books usually work for you, or self-help is the route you
want to take at this time in your life – read this book. It offers practical
methods to beating clutter with realistic timelines that work. The key point
is that you are dedicated to helping yourself, and that you do not give up.
Backsliding is normal, so keep on chugging. This book will help. It is easy to
read, and the authors are engaging. They will cheer you along the way. These
are the some of the most elite professionals in our field, this book is a gold
mine. Trust in them and trust in yourself.
If you are a family member or concerned friend, just know that hoarding
can be treated! Don’t give up on your loved one. By reading this book, you
might begin to understand what your loved one is actually going through. You will be given methods to help relieve YOUR
concern, anger, sadness and anxiety about your loved ones disorder. Buried in
Treasures will open your awareness on how to address this issue with your loved
one in a manner that works.
As a professional organizer I find this book helpful as a way to help my
clients beat hoarding. The questions at the end of each chapter are much like
the ones I use with my clients, in addition to many new ideas I plan to use
going forward. This book is a mandatory read if you want to be an ICD Hoarding Specialist. I recommend this book to any professional organizer who is
interested in hoarding.
Below are five topics from this book that I picked out and
commented on. There is a TON of info in this book and I only begin to scratch
the surface of all the "buried treasures" within this book.
- What is hoarding? This book is an excellent
resource for the answer to this question. A side note states “One of the key features of
compulsive hoarding is that the clutter is so bad that portions of the home are
unusable.” It also goes in to the three criteria that are thought to be present
in hoarding disorder. Chapter 2 explains
hoarding thoroughly.
- Hoarding is treatable. “Compulsive hoarding is recognized as
a diagnosable (and treatable) behavioral syndrome.” This is coming straight
from leading experts. Believing this is a key role in conquering hoarding.
-
“Whereas
most people define themselves by what they do, people with hoarding problems
often define themselves by what they have. “ Being aware of this will help you
win your battle. No one said this is easy work. The more aware you are of
yourself, and your identity, you will begin to define yourself in healthier
ways.
- “Try scheduling your organizing sessions during
the time your brain is most likely to cooperate.” This is a huge key to
organizing success. If you are not a “morning person”, a “night owl”, have
ADHD, TBI, physical disabilities, etc. Plan to organize at a time when you are
at your best. Get a good night’s sleep, eat and drink plenty of water before
during and after your organizing spurts! Take care of yourself and do not overdo
it.
- “If you are hooked on Saturday morning yard
sales, find something else to do”. You cannot beat hoarding if you are bringing
more stuff in. There are so many other things you can do with your time. How
about finally reading one of the hundreds of books you own? Finally taking in
that charity bag, cleaning out your car, taking your dog on a walk, taking your
recycling in, etc! Enough is enough folks. If you are a shopper, you have got
to take yourself out of those situations until your hoarding is under control.
I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did. Please feel
free to leave a comment on this blog about Buried in Treasures, or feel free to
ask any questions about this book or hoarding.
If you are looking for other good books on Hoarding I suggest reading
Digging Out by Dr. Michael Tompkins, any book by Judith Kolberg, the ICD Guide to Challenging Disorganization,
or visit the ICD website.
Collector Care specializes in hoarding disorder and we work
side by side with our clients to improve their living standards. If you know of
someone who hoards, or if you are a hoarder please don’t hesitate to give us a
call. 925-548-7750. Not ready yet? Check out our website, Facebook,or Twitter.
Rachel Seavey, Professional Organizer (and blogger) For Collector Care
Collector
Care specializes in hoarding disorder, chronic disorganization and
professional organizing. We love what we do, and provide realistic
expectations and timelines. Please visit our website at
