Tamyria Ramalhoo: I'm not a hoarder, but I keep everything!

Tamyria Ramalhoo is a self-proclaimed hoarder.
"I don't throw anything away," she says. "I just keep it because I might need it someday."
Her house is filled with stacks of newspapers, magazines, clothes, and other items.
"I know it's a mess," she says. "But it's my mess."
Tamyria's hoarding has caused her some problems in the past.
"My husband used to get mad at me because I wouldn't throw anything away," she says. "But he's gotten used to it now."
Tamyria's hoarding has also made it difficult for her to move.
"We've been trying to sell our house for years," she says. "But no one wants to buy a house that's filled with junk."
Despite the problems, Tamyria says she's not going to change.
"I'm not a hoarder," she says. "I'm just a collector."

What is hoarding?

Hoarding is a mental health disorder that is characterized by the excessive accumulation of possessions and the inability to discard them.
People with hoarding disorder often have difficulty organizing their belongings, and their homes may be cluttered and unsafe.
Hoarding can be a serious problem, as it can lead to health and safety hazards, as well as social isolation.

• What are the symptoms of hoarding?
  

The symptoms of hoarding include:

• Excessive accumulation of possessions
• Difficulty discarding possessions
• Cluttered and unsafe living conditions
• Health and safety hazards
• Social isolation

• What are the causes of hoarding?
  

The causes of hoarding are not fully understood, but it is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
People who have a family history of hoarding are more likely to develop the disorder.
Certain life events, such as trauma or loss, can also trigger hoarding.
Hoarding can also be a symptom of other mental health disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or anxiety.

• How is hoarding treated?
  

There is no cure for hoarding, but there are treatments that can help people to manage their symptoms.
Treatment options include therapy, medication, and support groups.
Therapy can help people to understand the causes of their hoarding and to develop strategies for managing their symptoms.
Medication can help to reduce the anxiety and depression that are often associated with hoarding.
Support groups can provide people with a safe and supportive environment where they can share their experiences and learn from others.

• What can I do if I think I am a hoarder?
  

If you think you may be a hoarder, it is important to seek professional help.
A mental health professional can help you to diagnose your condition and develop a treatment plan.
There are also a number of self-help resources available online and in libraries.
If you are a hoarder, it is important to remember that you are not alone.
There is help available, and you can overcome this disorder.

• Tamyria's story
  

Tamyria Ramalhoo is a self-proclaimed hoarder.
She has been struggling with hoarding for over 20 years.
"I started hoarding when I was a child," she says. "I would collect anything I could get my hands on.
I would keep everything from toys to clothes to newspapers."
As Tamyria got older, her hoarding got worse.
"I would start to buy things in bulk," she says. "I would buy so much stuff that I would have to rent a storage unit to keep it all."
Tamyria's hoarding has caused her a lot of problems over the years.
"I've lost jobs because I couldn't get to work on time because my house was so cluttered," she says. "I've also lost relationships because my hoarding made it difficult for me to have people over."
Despite the problems, Tamyria says she is not going to change.
"I'm not a hoarder," she says. "I'm just a collector."

• Tamyria's advice for other hoarders
  

Tamyria offers the following advice for other hoarders:

• Don't be ashamed of your hoarding.
• Seek professional help.
• Join a support group.
• Take one day at a time.
• Don't give up.