Hoarding is a compulsive disorder stemming from complex factors where the individual feels a compulsion to keep items, often resulting in harmful environments for their children and animals.

“It's a compulsive disorder. So people feel a need for whatever reason to keep a hold of things and usually as it progresses those things end up being like trash and then like in my case like tons of animals like things you don't need.”

He defines hoarding as a phobia driven by anxiety and asserts that it can be treated through systematic desensitization.

“You know, there's another name for hoarding. It's called disposia. You have a fear disposing of stuff. And phobias are anxiety driven. So, we have to do is get you to where you're desensitized to this and you have a new way to control your anxiety.”

She identifies her hoarding as an addiction and a compulsive need to gather items for protection against past emotional abuse.

“I don't drink. Never been a smoker, but apparently I'm addicted to this. I have trouble throwing garbage away. That's ridiculous.”

She acknowledges that her behavior of keeping excessive items, such as old newspapers and empty bottles, constitutes an out of control packrat problem.

“Are you out of control as a packrat? >> Probably.”