Today, I went to visit my mother after many years. Her hoarding has gotten so bad that now the house is entirely filled with junk and garbage, and she is camping out in the jungle of a backyard, cooking on a cauldron over a fire and shitting in the compost pile, with no working heat or water. FML
Many thanks to those who understand hoarding behavior and who defended me. In case you were wondering:
1. I have tried to help my mother for over 20 years and she refuses help, professional or otherwise.
2. I exaggerated how long it has been. I have seen my mother many times, usually she visits me. She has not allowed into my childhood home since I left for college 12 years ago. It has just gotten worse now.
She really is living in the backyard, this is not an exaggeration.
3. I am currently working on what to do for her; I am trying to get her some help in this crisis, even if that includes forceful removal.
4. Humor helps me deal with tragic circumstances. This is why I chose to share this ridiculously sad story.
5. Hoarding is never the child's fault. I have been living this down and getting over guilt my whole life.
6. I can only imagine being on TV would be akin to suicide for her, as hoarding is a secretive problem.
6. Kids, if you live in a cluttered landfill of a house, your parents' hoarding is its own mental disorder. It is an addiction. Childrenofhoarders.com is a great first resource. There is help.
7. Yes, I think my mom is probably doing spells in the backyard. I gotta get this shit figured out before winter. She is in Iowa.