Leesa let me first start off by saying YOU ARE AWESOME!
Congrats for waking up!!! I just woke up myself a few days ago. I was absolutely horrified, I cried, then worried what that might mean as I am ALSO in the Mental Health field... I think we are in excellent hand with Cory and all the wonderful support and people like us here. Ohhhh I really wish I was there to give you a big ole hug! I am happy to meet you and want you to know that you are at a very exciting time in your life. I'm not sure what makes a person like us "wake up" but you must be ready to come out of your cocoon. I cannot wait to see what your beautiful wings will look like and when you fly...it's going to be exhilarating.

For now, just breath, cry when needed because it is heavy, the breath and then SMILE. You are about to learn about how very special you are and how your "superpower" hoarding skill set (when used appropriately) can help bring joy and good to the WORLD.

Welcome to the fold,
Krissy

I've been accused of being (or in some cases diagnosed as) lazy, a slob, a hoarder, OCD, ADHD, Asperger, and maybe a few other things...

Anyway, Leesa, the online support group is meeting tonight; maybe you can join us there to discuss things in real time? It starts at 6pm PDT, 7pm MDT, 8pm CDT, 9pm EDT. Turnout has been low lately; I hope people will show up as scheduled. (As I mentioned in the bigger discussion thread, I'm expecting to have to leave early. Some people show up late, so if nobody's around, be patient.)

Hi, Leesa. If you look around, is there anything or any place in particular that might inspire you to start there? Could be a pile of laundry, a pile of paper work, a clear but dirty floor? Trash thrown around? Those are good places to start. You will learn what methods for tackling each situation works best for you. There are many ways to approach things.

I have a master's in clinical social work, so I get it. It doesn't make us immune to this sort of thing. Nor does it make us lazy, indept, crazy, etc.

I can relate to about everything you said!!!! You are not alone for sure. I have a masters degree in nursing and was a psychiatric nurse for years, at that time I was anorexic and exercise bulimic, then started drinking to calm my nerves, then started shopping to stop eating and drinking. I found acquiring gave me the same high without the calories. After over 20 years of acccumulating stuff, I felt buried, suffocating in all my stuff. When I got on this site, Cory said I must stop bringing home stuff first and foremost since shopping and bargain hunting was my drug of choice. I never let people in here, including repair men. I figured out how to repair most things.
After going a week without shopping, tried another and another, now it is a habit to only buy what I need, I have had 2 slips in 5 months when I bought extra stuff. I gave away so many new, nice things, threw away so much that had mouse droppings and stains. Two rooms and garage were packed so high could not enter, then made goat trails, now can see floor, still lots to clear out, but I do see progress. Taking pictures of every room is so helpful, reality hits, no more denial when you see those pictures. I posted on message board daily for first 3-4 months and got lots of support and suggestions, sure hope you can break through the denial and hang in here with us.
I wish you hope and success in tackling this. Takes lots of work, but you can do this