Organizing Wizard-Sections

CD & ADD & HOARDING

"Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it is not all mixed up." - Winnie-the Pooh

Chronic Disorganization/ADD & Hoarding

What is Chronic Disorganization (CD)?
CD is not a mental or medical condition; it’s a quality of life issue. Here are a few characteristics of CD:

1.Accumulation of large quantities of stuff
2.Wide range of interest
3.Need visual cues
4.Lose concentration easy
5.Losing track of time
6.Innovative brain
7.Inattention to details
8.History of disorganization

The chronic disorganized individual has usually a poor sense of time. They are late for appointments and even their children are late for school. The reason for being late is mostly because of inability to find misplaced items, easy to distract, and they have no sense of how long certain tasks and projects will take. The chronic disorganized individual has a hard time finishing what they started.

A lot of times the CD or ADD client is not just chronically disorganized. This disorder could also be accompanied by other conditions, as there is for example OCD, depression, etc. For example the individual is holding on to everything they own. They can’t let go and have to get more (Hoarding accompanied by Affluenza).

There are many factors that can cause chronic disorganization. Clutter in general, chronic or not chronic is only a symptom of what is really going on in an individuals life.

An individual is considered CD, if there is a history of disorganization and all efforts of self-help to change failed in such a way that it affects ones daily life.

Solutions to overcome disorganization, especially since self-help failed can be successful in hiring a Professional Organizer, who is trained in dealing with Chronic Disorganization.

Alexandra Ross of The Organizing Wizard not only holds a degree in Psychology; she also furthered her education with the NSGCD (National Study Group on Disorganization, located in California, USA) and earned her level II certificate in Chronic Disorganization.

More and more people in North America have been diagnosed with some form of CD (Chronic Disorganization). There are several factors for certain conditions, as there are:

1.Neurologically Conditions (ADD/ADHD, MS, TBI)
2.Structural/ Environmental Factors (i.e. lack of storage space, no positive energy flow)
3.Poor Developmental skills (i.e. never taught)
4.Lifestyle choices (i.e. over scheduling, too much stuff, no sense for priorities)
5.Communication Problems (weak management, leadership, an delegation strategies)
6.Systemic Factors (i.e. ineffective systems in place)
7.Addictive Tendencies (i.e. Shop-a-holism, Collection Addiction, Affluenza)
8.Mental Health Issues (Depression, Anxiety, OCD, Hoarding)
9.Difficulty in making Transitions (i.e. Divorce, move)
10.Aging Issues (Cognitive issues, medication, etc.)
11.Beliefs and Attitudes (i.e. Procrastinator)
12.Physical Challenges (i.e. poor vision, mobility impairment)
13.Learning style (i.e. systems not customized to client’s specific need)
14.Life/ Grief Crises (loss of a job, death of a loved one, trauma)

It takes a professional to recognize those conditions and handle the situation and individual accordingly.

What is hoarding?
Hoarding is the excessive acquisition of possessions and failure to use or discard them, even if the items are worthless, hazardous, or unsanitary. Compulsive hoarding impairs mobility and interferes with basic activities, including cooking, cleaning, showering, and sleeping. It is not clear whether compulsive hoarding is a condition in itself, or rather a symptom of other related conditions such as OCD. Clients with ADD have a tendency to hoarding.

Although not commonly used by clinical psychologists, criteria for five levels of hoarding have been set forth by the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD) entitled the NGSCD Clutter Hoarding Scale. Using the perspective of a Professional Organizer, this scale distinguishes five levels of hoarding with Level One being the least severe and Level Five being the worst. Within each level there are four specific categories which define the severity of clutter and hoarding potential:

1.Structure and zoning;
2.Pets and rodents;
3.Household functions; and
4.Sanitation and cleanliness.

Hoarding Scale:
Level I Hoarder
Household is considered standard. No special knowledge in working with the Chronically Disorganized is necessary.
Level II Hoarder
Household requires professional organizers or related professionals to have additional knowledge and understanding of Chronic Disorganization.
Level III Hoarder
Household may require services in addition to those a professional organizer and related professional can provide. Professional organizers and related professionals working with Level III households should have significant training in Chronic Disorganization and have developed a helpful community network of resources, especially mental health providers.
Level IV Hoarder
Household needs the help of a professional organizer and a coordinated team of service providers. Psychological, medical issues or financial hardships are generally involved. Resources will be necessary to bring a household to a functional level. These services may include pest control services, "crime scene cleaners," financial counseling and licensed contractors and handy persons.
Level V Hoarder
Household will require intervention from a wide range of agencies. Professional organizers should not venture directly into working solo with this type of household. The Level V household may be under the care of a conservator or be an inherited estate of a mentally ill individual. Assistance is needed from many sources. A team needs to be assembled. Members of the team should be identified before beginning additional work. These members may include social services and psychological/mental health representative (not applicable if inherited estate), conservator/trustee, building and zoning, fire and safety, landlord, legal aid and/or legal representatives. A written strategy needs to be outlined and contractual agreements made before proceeding.

We can help you and/ or your loved ones with simple or severe challenges of hoarding. Our full rounded program includes a team of Organizers and specialists necessary to assist with hoarding issues. Hoarding is a mental disorder and requires trained and professional help. Please contact us for more details.

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