Ep 2. Beyond Embarrassment

Beyond Embarrassment is the second episode in season one of Hoarding: Buried Alive. The show chronicles the struggles of individuals living with hoarding disorder as they attempt to clean up their cluttered homes and help manage their compulsive behavior.

In this particular episode, we meet a woman named Shanna, who has been living in her father's home for several years after he passed away. Since his passing, Shanna has been living surrounded by his possessions, which she refuses to part with despite the fact that she is unable to use or even see most of the items due to the extensive clutter.

Shanna's cluttered home has been affecting her life in numerous ways, and she knows she needs to make a change. In addition to feeling embarrassed to have anyone over and avoiding inviting people into her home, Shanna is also dealing with health problems due to the unsanitary conditions of her living environment.

The episode follows Shanna as she begins to come to terms with her hoarding disorder with the help of a professional organizer and a therapist. The journey is not an easy one, as Shanna struggles to let go of her emotional attachment to her father's possessions and to overcome her anxiety over the clutter. She is also hampered by her own physical disabilities, which make it difficult for her to physically remove the large amounts of clutter from the home.

As the episode progresses, we see Shanna slowly starting to make progress. She works with her therapist to identify the emotional roots of her hoarding behavior and to develop coping strategies that will help her manage her compulsions going forward. The professional organizer helps her to break down the daunting task of clearing out the home into smaller, more manageable steps, and Shanna begins to make some headway.

Of course, the process is not without its setbacks. Shanna experiences moments of intense anxiety and resistance when it comes to letting go of some items, and she is also forced to confront some of the deeper emotional wounds that have led to her hoarding behavior. But with patience, persistence, and the support of her therapist and organizer, Shanna is able to make steady progress and finally begins to see a light at the end of the tunnel.

Throughout the episode, we also hear from experts in the field of hoarding disorder, who explain the psychological and emotional factors that contribute to the disorder and offer tips and strategies for those who are struggling with hoarding behaviors themselves. The show provides a compassionate and non-judgmental look at the challenges faced by those living with hoarding disorder, and offers practical advice for anyone who is hoping to make a change in their own life.

Overall, Beyond Embarrassment is a powerful and emotionally engaging episode of Hoarding: Buried Alive. The struggles faced by Shanna are all too common for those living with hoarding disorder, but her determination and perseverance are an inspiration to anyone facing a difficult challenge in their own life. The show provides a valuable look at the complexity of hoarding behavior, and offers hope and guidance for anyone looking to make a change.