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Neighbors | Zack Shively.Rachel Cline spoke at the Poland library about hoarding on Oct. 23. She said the most important thing to know about the disorder is that it is a widespread problem and that help is available.
By ZACK SHIVELY
Rachel Cline gave Poland library visitors “A Simple Look into a Complex Disorder“ on Oct. 23.
Cline discussed the disorder of hoarding, which the DSM-V, a mental health guidebook published by the American Psychiatric Association, now lists as a mental disorder according to Cline said.
She has much knowledge on the subject through experience. Not only does she give talks about the disorder throughout Ohio and Pennsylvania, but she also owns and operates Steri-Clean, a national cleanup business that helps hoarders, in Pittsburgh and operates a Steri-Clean in Cleveland. Steri-Clean’s national CEO, Cory Chalmers, co-hosts the television program “Hoarders.“
She began her talk with the definition of hoarding, when things pile up in a room and the room loses functionality. She gave national statistics saying that 3-5 percent of all Americans hoard. She used the math to say that nearly 464,000 of Ohioans are hoarders.
Cline wanted to remove the stigma around the disorder. She pointed out that hoarding typically comes with another mental illness, such as depression, and can begin after a traumatic event. The most common hoarders are teachers, psychologists and engineers. Most hoarders also have above average intelligence.
“It is a widespread problem and help is available,“ Cline said.
The presentation included different types of hoarding, such as bibliomania where people collect books and magazines that stack to the ceiling, prevent walking space and pose a fire danger. The presentations had slides showing different scenes of hoarders, like people with trash filling their rooms.
She explained that the problem can lead to issues with fungus, mice, waste, bed bugs and the home’s structural integrity. Mice can carry hantaviruses that can be fatal in humans. Cleanup businesses often have to wear gear to protect against biohazards in homes.
Cline and her husband have owned and operated their businesses for two years. She gives talks like this one a couple times a month. In these speeches, she stresses the problem affects a wide-range of people and that help and therapy are made readily available.