Hoarding: Buried Alive Season 2 Episode 5 Battle With Chaos

The episode "Battle With Chaos" from season 2 of Hoarding: Buried Alive follows the story of a woman named Mary Lou who has accumulated a substantial amount of clutter and belongings over the years. Mary Lou's hoarding has taken over her entire home, making it impossible to navigate through the clutter. Her children, who are concerned for her safety and well-being, have come to help clean up the house.

The episode begins with Mary Lou giving a tour of her home, which is filled with piles of newspapers, boxes, and other miscellaneous items. Mary Lou explains that she has always had trouble throwing things away and that her hoarding has only gotten worse over the years. She shows the crew the kitchen, which is covered in dust and clutter and the living room, where there is barely any space to sit.

Mary Lou's children arrive and are shocked by the state of the house. They immediately begin to clean up the clutter, sorting through piles of old clothing, broken appliances, and boxes of random items. It becomes clear that Mary Lou has difficulty making decisions about what to keep and what to get rid of. She holds onto items that have sentimental value, such as old toys and photographs, as well as items that she thinks might be useful in the future.

As the crew begins to tackle the clutter in the house, they discover a severe mold problem. The clutter has created an environment that is perfect for mold growth, and it has spread throughout the house. This is a significant health hazard for Mary Lou, and her children become even more concerned about her well-being. They have to take extra precautions while cleaning to avoid inhaling dangerous spores.

Throughout the cleaning process, Mary Lou becomes overwhelmed and emotional. She struggles to let go of items and becomes defensive when her children suggest getting rid of things. It becomes clear that Mary Lou's hoarding is a coping mechanism, and she feels that her possessions give her a sense of comfort and control.

The clean-up process is slow and challenging, but Mary Lou's children remain patient and compassionate. They encourage her to make decisions about what to keep and what to get rid of and create a safe and organized living space for her. In the end, Mary Lou's home is transformed, and she is amazed by the amount of space that has been cleared.

The episode ends with Mary Lou expressing her gratitude to her children for helping her with the clean-up process. She admits that she has a long way to go in terms of changing her hoarding behavior, but she is hopeful that this is the first step towards a more organized and healthy lifestyle.

Overall, "Battle With Chaos" is a poignant and emotional episode that highlights the impact of hoarding on both the hoarder and their loved ones. It shows the difficulty of letting go of possessions and the importance of compassion and patience when helping someone overcome hoarding behavior.