Ep 12. Manic and Depressed

In the season 8 episode 12 of Hoarding: Buried Alive titled "Manic and Depressed," viewers are introduced to a woman named Karen who is struggling with both bipolar disorder and hoarding. As the episode begins, viewers get a glimpse into Karen's cluttered home, which is filled to the brim with garbage, discarded items, and various forms of debris.

Karen's hoarding has gotten so out of control that she can no longer sleep in her own bed and instead sleeps on a pile of clothes on the floor. Her bathroom is completely unusable, and instead, she uses a bucket in her living room to go to the bathroom. Her living space is so hazardous, that she once slipped and fell, resulting in a broken hip.

Despite her obvious struggles with hoarding, Karen is reluctant to seek professional help. She is ashamed of her living conditions and does not want anyone to see the mess she has created. As a result, her family has been left to pick up the pieces and try and find a way to help Karen.

Throughout the episode, viewers see Karen's family members, including her daughter and ex-husband, working together to clear out her home. They try to reason with Karen and explain the dangers of living in such a cluttered environment, but Karen is resistant and defensive.

As the clean-out process continues, tensions run high between Karen and her family members. Karen's mental health struggles, including her bipolar disorder, only exacerbate the situation. She becomes agitated and emotional, lashing out at those around her.

Despite the challenges they face, Karen's family remains determined to help her. They enlist the help of a professional hoarding cleanup crew to assist with the process. The cleanup crew works tirelessly to sort through Karen's possessions, separating the valuable items from the trash.

As the episode comes to a close, viewers see the tremendous progress that Karen and her family have made. Karen's home is now almost unrecognizable. The piles of garbage have been cleared, and her living space is now functional once again. Karen is now sleeping in her own bed and using her bathroom.

Ultimately, "Manic and Depressed" is an episode that sheds light on the challenges of hoarding and mental illness. It shows the emotional toll that hoarding can have not just on the hoarder but also on their loved ones. It also highlights the importance of seeking professional help and the role that hoarding cleanup crews can play in helping hoarders overcome their struggles.