Hoarding is not a preference or a lifestyle choice, and mass clean-outs don't fix it. In this episode of Just Checking, Jess and Laura explore what hoarding disorder really is, how early it starts, and how it differs from collecting.

They cover its links with trauma, neurodivergence and attachment, the key risks, and the shame and secrecy that keep people from getting help.

You'll also hear what therapy can look like, what to do if you're not ready for change, and why therapists are only the start of the process, with advocacy an important part of the role.

Plus: first jobs, Laura talks cocks, and your usual Brain Spam, Listener Question, Weekly Win and Exposure Lab.

Find further support and information at:

Hoarding UK: https://www.hoardinguk.org/

Oxford Cognitive Therapy Centre: https://www.octc.co.uk/

Hoarding Disorders UK: https://hoardingdisordersuk.org/

Podcast by:

Laura Mole, Adv. Dip, MBACP OCD specialist therapist

and

Jessica Hayes, Msc PGDip, BABCP Accred OCD and perinatal specialist therapist

Edited by Christian Nickson

Time Stamps:

00:30 Episode overview

01:28 Hellos and first jobs

11:00 All about hoarding

12:30 Brain Spam 🧠

14:40 Thank you to Christian

16:23 Why are we covering hoarding?

17:04 What is hoarding?

19:15 How early hoarding starts

23:00 A study into hoarding

24:15 Neurodivergence and attachments with hoarding

26:40 Collecting vs hoarding

27:15 Hoarding support and prejudice

29:00 Link with trauma

31:00 Stats and hard facts

33:10 Key risks of hoarding

35:20 Support groups for hoarders

35:30 How can we spot hoarding?

37:45 Shame and secrecy

38:20 Where to get hoarding information

40:42 What if you aren't ready for change?

41:45 What may therapy look like?

43:20 Extra roles of a therapist

48:50 Special Interest Groups with the BABCP

51:50 Listener Question

56:45 Weekly Win

59:00 Exposure Lab

1:00:10 Goodbyes

Get in Touch:

Got intrusive thoughts to share or questions for us:

Email us at ocdcollectiveuk@gmail.com

Follow us on Instagram and Tiktok: @justcheckingpod

For our individual OCD pages, you can find Laura on Tiktok and Instagram as @ocdtherapylaura and Jess as @jess_helps_your_ocd

Please check out our privacy policy: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YJZ4Sdh4OpxjRR9twGY6dOMH9n55Mq6qTqLBxOtN3Fw/edit?usp=sharing

Content Warnings:

We do reference some thoughts that people may find distressing so please listen with caution if this is you, and take a break if you need to.

Disclaimer:

This podcast provides educational content only and is not a substitute for professional mental health support, please contact a mental health professional for advice and support.