Advice Columns
Harriet offers helpful advice and tips through
three different columns:
1. If you need help with storage solutions and
deciding which type of organizing product(s) would be best for your
current needs, contact Harriet through her
Ask
Our Organizer
column at the Stacks and Stacks
organizing products online
catalog.
2. Organized
Outlook is an organizing tips column that Harriet writes for
sdhome, an award-winning magazine published by the San Diego
Union-Tribune.
3. If you have a question about how to conquer
clutter, manage your time or get organized, you can Ask The Miracle
Worker (below).
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July/August 2009
Ask The Miracle Worker
Q: My
dear younger sister and her family are pack rats. My other sister and I
have offered to come and help her organize her house, but she always makes up
excuses. It has us worried because it is borderline child abuse situation.
She doesn't let anyone in her house because of that. Can you recommend
something for us to help her and her family?
A: Unfortunately,
there is no easy or quick solution to the type of situation you have described. Your
sister may have symptoms of a condition called "Packrat Syndrome"
which is a type of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder that is very
difficult to treat. Unless she admits to having a problem
& agrees to get help, it's unlikely you can do anything to force her to
change her habits. If you & other family members truly feel that she
may be endangering her children's health & well-being, I suggest that
you jointly send her a letter stating why you all think so (be as specific as
possible) and asking that she get help. Be sure to emphasize your
love & concern, & try to avoid a blaming tone. You might ask
if she'd be willing to attend a family counseling session with you. Set a
deadline for yourself to follow up with her, & keep following up.
I wish I could give you a more hopeful solution.
It is difficult to accept that we cannot change others; changing ourselves is
hard enough. No matter how much you love anyone, it's rarely possible
to help them unless they want to be helped. For additional resources
on Packrat Syndrome & hoarding, please visit the Clutter-free Resources page
at www.letgoclutter.com .
© 2009 by Harriet Schechter
Do you have question
about conquering clutter or chaos? E-mail it to The Miracle Worker using the
address at the bottom of this page. Be
sure to include: 1) your
name (which will be kept private); 2) your city & state (or country,
if outside the U.S.); and 3) how you heard about this site.