This episode of Hoarders: Coming Clean (the first of two episodes tonight) features Dolores, a cancer survivor whose victory over disease has, ironically, led to a different kind of struggle. Having used retail therapy as a coping mechanism during her illness, Dolores’s shopping habit has morphed into a full-blown hoarding disorder, threatening her marriage and her well-being.
While many hoarders accumulate items out of sentimentality or fear of loss, Dolores’s case is rooted in a different kind of trauma. The excessive shopping provided an escape, a temporary reprieve from the anxieties of battling cancer. Now, the sheer volume of possessions has become a prison of its own, creating a new set of challenges for Dolores and her family.
The Hoarders team, armed with cleaning supplies and therapeutic expertise, faces the daunting task of not only clearing the physical clutter but also addressing the underlying psychological issues. Dolores’s situation is a reminder that hoarding can stem from a variety of sources, and overcoming it requires more than just a good cleaning. Can the team break through the piles of possessions and reach the person buried beneath?
Hoarders: Coming Clean airs on A&E Sundays at 1:00 PM.
