Skopid in slang denotes a person who obsessively folds and stocks up on various items. This mental illness is akin to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). You can treat skopidoma by trying to understand its psychological problems that accompany this type of mental disorder.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Understanding the Skopidom
Step 1. Let's delimit the "rats" from the hoarders
If a person keeps things that he sometimes uses and folds them up so that they can be easily accessed, then that person can be considered a collector. But hoarders, as a rule, cannot tell the difference between what they really need and what they don't.
As a rule, the most overt behavior of a hoarder is noticeable when a person cannot distinguish piles of personal belongings from furniture, aisles, kitchens, bathrooms and entrances. At this point, the mess that results can pose a threat, blocking fire exits or leading to fires or vermin
Step 2. Understand they may not see their condition as a problem
Just like other bad habits, for example, alcoholism or drug addiction, treatment of a disease can be very difficult due to the fact that a person does not see the problem.
Step 3. Offer to bring a professional organizer into the house
Reacting to this suggestion can show you how the person sees the situation in their cluttered home. If the person is adamant about anyone touching their personal belongings, then this could be a sign of a mental disorder.
If you don't want conflict, a professional organizer can act as an advisor
Step 4. Take into account the age of the hoarder
Diogenes syndrome is common in many elderly people when they begin to suffer from senile dementia. This serious illness is accompanied by symptoms such as; unhealthy diet, neglect, social degradation and apathy about the disorder in which they live.
- Diogenes syndrome is treated with help in social issues and problems of a person's life.
- Elderly people with this condition may not make contact, but a doctor will be able to tell the difference between signs of dementia after a routine check-up.
Step 5. Remember, you cannot cure a person on your own
Greediness is a sign of a more serious problem, such as anxiety. Try to ask a professional or consultant for help.
In difficult cases, the person requires special treatment outside the home
Part 2 of 3: Actions to Help the Hoarder
Step 1. Don't throw away all of his belongings
If friends or loved ones throw away all of his belongings, he may become even more worried and begin to replace them at an even faster rate.
Step 2. Visit the person regularly if you are not living with them
It is very important to identify the moment when they become dangerous to themselves. This is the moment when children or parents intervene in the situation.
Step 3. Raise this topic with sympathy
Explain your concern in terms of "I feel …"
Try to say, “I’m scared when I see these stacks blocking the corridor,” or “I’m afraid it’s flammable.”
Step 4. Ask the person if he wants help in cleaning up the clutter in the house
Make sure he thinks he is in control of the situation. As in many cases of obsessive-compulsive disorder, he may try to control situations in which this is not possible.
Step 5. Come up with meetings for organizing things in the house and tidy up stack by stack and room by room
If the person sees that the situation is becoming unacceptable, then apply the step-by-step method. Have patience if the situation is not so dire that the person does not refuse help.
Part 3 of 3: Helping the Hoarder with Action
Step 1. If there are conditions that put your health at risk, explain that something needs to be done
Points to look out for:
- The presence of parasites, bacteria or animals. There are too many bacteria or parasites that can make a person sick.
- Outputs are blocked. If the ambulance or firefighters cannot get in, or the person cannot get out, something needs to be changed.
- Danger of fire. If stacks of items are located near a stove or fireplace, they should be removed.
- Remove animals if they present additional hazards. Uncleaned faeces or scattered food or water are also dangerous. A herding of animals will require you to quickly remove a person, and place the animals in a shelter or take them to your place.
Step 2. Ask the person to ask for help from an obsessive-compulsive disorder specialist
Make an appointment with your doctor if he refuses treatment and the situation is still dangerous.
- If you approach them with this problem, it can cause feelings of embarrassment or push them to change something.
- Some psychologists are trying to use cognitive behavioral therapy. It is especially useful with anxiety disorders because it can teach the brain to respond in different ways.
Step 3. Talk to your doctor prior to your appointment if you are concerned about dementia or lack of personal care
The doctor may be able to prescribe treatment, refer the patient to a specialist, or prescribe medication.
Occasionally, OCD is treated with antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
Step 4. Try to talk to the person regularly about their problem
Let him know how it affects you, neighbors and friends.
- Tell him, "I have to intervene because you live in an unsafe environment."
- You can tell him, "We don't want to make the decision for you, but this is a health and safety issue."
Step 5. Offer help in daily life if needed
If the person is old or suffers from Diogenes Syndrome, this may be the only way to help.