Ep 2. As Bad as it Gets

As Bad as it Gets is the second episode of the fifth season of Hoarding: Buried Alive, a reality TV series that documents the lives of people struggling with compulsive hoarding disorder. In this episode, the crew visits Elaine, a woman who has hoarded her entire life and has now reached a crisis point.

Elaine's house is a dangerous maze of clutter that is taking over every part of her home. The floors are covered in piles of old newspapers, clothes, and food containers. The kitchen counters are stacked with dirty dishes and rotting food. The crew has to navigate through narrow pathways to get from one room to the other.

For Elaine, the hoard represents comfort and a sense of security. She has a hard time letting go of anything, even if it's completely useless or broken. As a result, her home has become so cluttered that she can't invite anyone over, and she's essentially trapped inside.

The episode follows the crew as they work with Elaine to sort through her hoard and dispose of anything that is no longer necessary. However, Elaine struggles to part with her possessions and becomes overwhelmed by the process. The crew has to tread carefully as not to trigger Elaine's anxiety.

As they dig through the hoard, it becomes clear that the extent of the damage is worse than anyone initially thought. They discover several mouse nests and feces, which poses a serious health risk to Elaine and anyone else living in the home. The crew has to take extra precautions to avoid contamination.

Elaine's struggle with hoarding has also taken a toll on her relationships. She has isolated herself from her family and friends and has lost touch with reality. In the episode, we see her daughter trying to reconnect with her mother, but Elaine's condition makes it challenging.

The episode is an emotional journey that highlights the devastating impact of hoarding on individuals and their loved ones. It shows how hoarding disorder can completely take over someone's life and how difficult it is to help them overcome it.

In the end, the crew manages to make some progress, but it's clear that Elaine's struggle with hoarding is far from over. As Bad as it Gets is a powerful and poignant episode that sheds light on a disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. It's a reminder to us all that hoarding disorder is a serious and complex condition that requires empathy, patience, and understanding.