overwhelmed

[mallfalcon]

i have ptsd and was just diagnosed a few months ago as a hoarder. it is mind blocking when trying to start to get rid of my stuff.

[mallfalcon]

how do i overcome this mental block

[Agora1 in reply to mallfalcon]

Do you have a therapist working with you?

[mallfalcon in reply to Agora1]

Yes

[Agora1 in reply to mallfalcon]

Mallfalcon, Unfortunately, I know only what I have seen on the tv show, Hoarders.

The emotions and struggles they go through really need a professional to help them. I do agree with the response from "I'm Only" . Having a plan as to how

you address each pile seems like a way to go. I wish you well with your therapist

in going forward. xx

[mallfalcon in reply to Agora1]

Thank you.

[Im_Only_1_but_I_am_1]

I'm not sure if this would be helpful for you, but, sometimes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can help to understand why you are experiencing this mental block and can help to develop skills to get past that mental block. Maybe you could set aside a specific time each week or once a month to go through your things and clean them out just a little bit at a time. Maybe spend 20 minutes or a half hour sorting through just a few things into three categories (not saying this would be easy or an option that would be effective for you in particular or maybe you already tried it). The categories could be something like "Im definitely going to keep this item" "Im definitely going to throw away this item" or "Im not sure." With the keep pile, ensure that everything has a "home or a place" and get rid of the stuff in the throw away pile as soon as possible. I know I struggle with getting rid of things sometimes and it doesnt help if it continues to sit there for a period of time because I change my mind. With the pile of stuff you're unsure about, maybe you ask yourself "do i really need this? am i going to use this? how often have I used this? could I get something like this again if I need it?" I'm not sure, but maybe this would make it a little less overwhelming if you took it little steps at a time and found a system in working through getting rid of your things. Or, maybe you justify it by getting rid of things that you don't use, don't need, or could get again if you need it by donating it to people in need? That way, it could be more justifiable perhaps.

[mallfalcon in reply to Im_Only_1_but_I_am_1]

Thank you that was a lot of helpful information.