\u200bHave you ever paid attention to your mom’s shopping habits? She has dozens of pairs of sandals, but she insists she needs one more. She has a freezer full of food, but she can’t pass up a deal on ice cream that she barely has room for.<\/p>\n
You go through her home, and it’s packed. Her closet is overflowing, her cupboards won’t close, and she still seems to want more. How can you set limits when your mom doesn’t?<\/p>\n
Realize This Can Be an Indicator That Something is Wrong<\/strong><\/p>\n Hoarding is real. It’s a disorder where people cannot get rid of items they don’t need or plan to use. It can indicate that something else is wrong. You need to start by looking into her health.<\/p>\n Sometimes, hoarding develops as a need to fill a void. If your dad died and your mom is lonely and\/or depressed, she may purchase too many items to find some level of happiness. It can be a sign of Alzheimer’s. She simply cannot remember what she does and doesn’t have at home.<\/p>\n It’s important to talk to her doctor. Rule out underlying illnesses like Alzheimer’s and depression. Obsessive-compulsive disorder or anxiety may also lead to her purchasing too much. Her doctor can evaluate her for these mental health disorders.<\/p>\n