Living with a hoarder
3 years ago, in my mid 40's, I found myself once again living with my parents. Having left home at 18 years old this was something I never expected to happen and if I hadn't being going through a crisis at the time would have been horrified by the prospect. There are many reasons to not want to live with either of them, but high among these is the fact that my mother is a hoarder. Being a hoarder is a mental illness where the afflicted is unable to discard or throw away items which they no longer need. For my mother this began in the early 80's, so was already affecting me when I was a child and teenager. Spaces gradually began to fill up, mostly with food packaging, bottles, cans, and newspapers. Piles and piles of newspapers. By the time I left home the dining table was almost completely covered several inches high, with only small spaces cleared with just enough room for a plate. The bathroom was no better. Great heaps of dirty clothes on the floor, with any availab