Ep 2. Diagnosis PTSD
- May 29, 2014
Diagnosis PTSD is the second episode of the ninth season of Hoarding: Buried Alive. The episodes follow the stories of individuals struggling with hoarding disorder, a condition that causes individuals to accumulate excessive amounts of possessions and have difficulty letting go of them.
In this episode, we meet Mary, a former nurse who has been struggling with PTSD for many years. Mary's hoarding behavior began after she was in a car accident, which triggered her PTSD. She began to collect things as a way of coping with her anxiety and to create a barrier between herself and the outside world. Her home is filled with piles of clothes, kitchen appliances, and other miscellaneous items that have taken over her living space.
Despite Mary's struggles, she is unable to let go of her possessions and is terrified of letting anyone into her home. She has had to quit her job due to her hoarding behavior and is now living off of her savings. Mary knows that her hoarding has become a problem, but she doesn't know how to stop.
As the episode progresses, we meet Mary's therapist, who is helping her to deal with her PTSD and hoarding behavior. Together, they begin to peel back the layers of Mary's trauma and help her to confront the underlying emotional issues that have led to her hoarding behavior.
We also meet a professional organizer, who works with Mary to begin the process of decluttering her home. The organizer is patient and understanding, and helps Mary to sort through her possessions in a way that is not overwhelming for her.
Throughout the episode, we see the emotional toll that hoarding has had on Mary and her family. Mary's sister, who is also a nurse, is concerned for her safety and well-being. Mary's daughter is frustrated by her mother's behavior and feels as though she has lost her mother to her hoarding.
Despite the challenges, Mary is determined to overcome her hoarding behavior and move forward with her life. With the help of her therapist, her family, and her organizer, she begins to make progress. She starts to let go of some of her possessions, and for the first time in years, she begins to see the floor of her living room.
As the episode comes to a close, we see Mary taking steps towards a healthier and happier life. She is participating in therapy and working to manage her PTSD. Her home is still a work in progress, but she is no longer living in a state of chaos. Mary's story is a reminder that no matter how overwhelming our challenges may seem, it is never too late to take steps towards healing and recovery.
