Knoxville News Sentinal   March 1, 2010

Professionals distinguish between chronically disorganized and hoarders

  With the official change of seasons on March 20, many people will begin an annual spring cleaning ritual. For some, letting go of unwanted items or unsightly clutter may feel like a chore, but emotionally they're able to do it without much consideration.

However, for the chronically disorganized or for those who suffer from hoarding, spring cleaning can be a frightening concept.

Mary Pankiewicz, a local Certified Professional Organizer in chronic disorganization who operates Clutter-free & Organized, wants to raise awareness about the distinction between the terms chronically disorganized and hoarding.

"The chronically disorganized face disorganization over a long period of time … often years," explained Pankiewicz, who regularly teaches classes designed for the chronically disorganized through University of Tennessee Professional and Personal Development. "In many cases, their disorganization affects their lives even after they've tried self-help methods."

Pankiewicz is working with a chronically disorganized Knoxville resident.

This particular client, who agreed to an interview but requested anonymity, says she's been disorganized all her life at home, although she's able to function well at work, where the parameters are more narrowed.

This client says she has a hard time deciding what to keep and what to discard, particularly if it's something of sentimental value. "Mary continues to help me sort through items that were left behind by someone I lost. With her help, I'm now able to look at those belongings and decide whether they're essential and worth keeping because they tell a story about that loved one. Now, I don't feel I have to save every article of clothing. This skill has been life changing for me."

Pankiewicz points out that her client, whom she describes as an educated and talented professional, first started with the more public areas of her home before moving to the bedroom, which was the room she was most ashamed of anyone seeing.

"In seeking professional help, a lot of the frustration has been removed from my situation because I'm now able to reframe and look at things differently," said Pankiewicz's client. "Like any skill, being organized is an ongoing process that requires practice and dedication. I encourage anyone seeking an organizer to identify someone he or she is most comfortable with … I liken it to finding a physician or a hair stylist."

Jerry Fried, a licensed clinical social worker with The Behavioral Medicine Institute in Knoxville, occasionally works with professionals like Pankiewicz in cases where hoarding is an issue. According to Fried, much of what is known about hoarding is a result of the work of Dr. Randy Frost and Dr. Gail Steketee, two mental health researchers with whom he's trained.

Fried said Frost and Steketee define hoarding in three ways: the acquisition of, and failure to discard, possessions that appear to be useless or of limited value; living spaces sufficiently cluttered so as to preclude activities for which those spaces were originally designed; and significant distress or impairment in functioning.

Hoarding is a disorder that falls under the diagnostic category of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder even though it doesn't share many of the characteristics of other types of OCD, said Fried.

"At any one time, I have four or five patients who suffer from hoarding," explained Fried. "For people who suffer severely, it often becomes a communitywide problem with law enforcement, the health department and other protective agencies."

Generally speaking, in less severe cases, Fried says women tend to hoard clothes and men hoard tools and hardware. "In other cases, people hoard animals or even all their possessions," said Fried.

Based on research and hoarding prevalence statistics studied by Fried, if you apply a formula to Knoxville's population (26.3 people per 100,000 population), he estimates 46 severe hoarders live in Knoxville, with an additional seven in Maryville and four in Sevierville.

While Fried cautions people not to rely on self-diagnosis of hoarding, he recommends they refer to the aforementioned three components of hoarding if they're concerned they or a loved one might be considered a hoarder. "You can also use your man-on-the-street standard, where you examine what people would say about your situation if they saw the inside of your house. But, ultimately, there has to be some kind of distress for the individual or others."

In addition, Pankiewicz recommends people consult the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization's Web site, www.nsgcd.org, which features a free clutter-hoarding assessment.

"The most important thing for people to remember is that anyone who suffers from chronic disorganization or hoarding needs to be approached with empathy, love and kindness … not criticism."

Pankiewicz says she regularly works with the chronically disorganized and aids one or two severe hoarders annually. "I always tell them the hardest part of the project is recognizing the problem and picking up the phone for help. Then, the best approach is cooperative therapy between the hoarder, a counselor, a professional organizer and often a family member or friend."

Heather Peters is a freelance contributor to the News Sentinel.

Press Release - Recent Demographics Show Hoarding Affects 2-5% of Population   

    Most people know of a home in their neighborhood where the home is obviously overflowing with clutter.  Some homes begin not functioning and contents spills out into the yard. Most people have no idea where to turn to for help. Over 10 million people in the US have clinically significant hoarding, and the average age at treatment is 50.  They tend to be single, have a high rate of divorce, live alone and usually have a family history of hoarding.  Onset usually occurs in childhood but does not become severe until adulthood.
    Hoarding was the focus for the recent National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD) Conference held in 2008 in St. Louis, MO.  Over one hundred professional organizers joined to learn more about the disposition and acquisition cycles involved in hoarding. Leading experts joined together in St. Louis to present the latest research and techniques on this subject.  
    Mary Pankiewicz, a Certified Professional Organizer in Chronic Disorganization, attended a National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD) Conference in St. Louis, MO that focused on hoarding.  The conference highlights included learning more about the disposition and acquisition cycles involved in hoarding, and leading experts presented the latest research and techniques on this subject.
    Nationally recognized expert and key note speaker Gail Steketee, MSW, PhD, presented ground breaking material on hoarding, including new methods of study and models to a explain hoarder’s behavior. Said Dr. Steketee, “Hoarding is a remarkably prevalent problem with recent estimates that approximately 2-5% of adults are affected by serious hoarding problems that make their homes difficult to use. In its most severe forms, hoarding causes falls, respiratory and other health problems, and even fire and loss of life. Although a few researchers have spent nearly 10 years studying it, this work is still in its infancy. We have a great deal more to learn about the causes of hoarding and the best methods for effectively intervening in this very persistent problem.” says Dr. Steketee.  Dr. Steketee, recognized NSGCD as “a remarkable group of professional organizers who are dedicated to gaining a good understanding of the disorganization they work with so they can provide help that truly makes a difference.”
    Said Pankiewicz, “Our hoarding clients are fragile and vulnerable. It is vital that we have the focused training to encourage them to continue through an often painful process of change.”  Kit Anderson, President of NSGCD, also commented that “NSGCD is the premier source for education about chronic disorganization. Hoarding is just one of the situations we are trained to handle. We also specialize in helping clients with ADHD and other challenges find organizing solutions to meet their unique needs.”
    Pankiewicz was awarded with the Level IV NSGCD Training Program Coach Certificate at the St. Louis conference. This award recognizes her significant knowledge in the field of chronic disorganization with respect to coaching, training, communications and productivity.

What is Hoarding?
    Hoarding is usually considered a subtype of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Like other compulsive behaviors, hoarding is an effort to manage the anxiety raised by obsessive doubts. There are varying levels of hoarding behavior. A diagnosis of OCD of the hoarding type is made when there is significant distress or disruption to feelings of self-worth, interpersonal relationships, education, occupation, housing, finances, legal issues, or health as a result of hoarding behavior.

Clutter-free & Organized, owned by Mary Pankiewicz, works with corporations and individuals to help them make time and space for what’s important to them. Pankiewicz works one-on-one with clients to help them streamline their environment and create effective strategies for an organized lifestyle. For more information visit ww.clutterfree.biz or call 865-607-9460.

Photos for Download

WBIR Channel 10, Knoxville, calls Mary their “professional organizer.”  She has done over 60 TV organizing segments.

“I really enjoy your segments on Channel 10!” -- Brooke Bradley

“Thanks again for being on my radio show. You were a terrific guest.” -- Duffy Spencer, Ph.D., New York City, NY

“Listened to you on the radio today. What a great job you did! You handled the questions very comfortably and knowledgeably.” -- Greg Maciolek

Media Quotes

The Kingsport Times-News, April 2005, featured Mary Pankiewicz of Clutter-free & Organized. Front page article, “Get Organized.” (64K PDF)

The Business Journal of Tri-Cities TN/Virginia, April 2004, featured Mary Pankiewicz of Clutter-free & Organized. Second article, “Why Your Office Seems to Remain a Constant Mess.”

The Knoxville News-Sentinel Women’s Expo article featured Mary Pankiewicz of Clutter-free & Organized,“ Expert Links Clutter-free Closets to Easing Stress in Life.”

Bountiful Health magazine, June 2004, “Get Organized; Weed Out Clutter,” written by Mary Pankiewicz of Clutter-free & Organized.

The Knoxville News-Sentinel—2003 Business section, “Clutter Cuts Down Productivity, Office Workers Discover.” Upon having Clutter-free & Organized completely organize her office, Remona Jessee who uses her home office as her primary base said, “It really makes a difference!” Organizing is one way to bring people’s stress levels down.

HGTV Ideas magazine quoted, “Bringing in someone who doesn’t know you and your house can provide a very good perspective on the problem and the solution,” says Pankiewicz. “My job is to come up with a process that will work for a family.”

Volunteer Valley Business Journal, “Controlling Clutter a Booming Business.” Article featured Mary Pankiewicz of Clutter-free & Organized. “I become a partner with my clients and help them accomplish their goals.”

Kingsport Times-News, “Real Help for Pack Rats.” “Pankiewicz helps clients free their homes and offices from the junk that’s slowly but steadily gobbling up precious space and silently stealing their sense of well-being.”

Woman’s Day, August 2000, several of Clutter-free & Organized ideas were quoted in “Twenty-One Ways to Save Time Every Day.”

Citizen Tribune, November 2001, “Inaugural Luncheon Held for Women in Business,” “The concept of the WIB program was the brainchild of Mary Pankiewicz, owner of Clutter-free & Organized, and Pam Lawson, editor of the East Tennessee Women’s Magazine.”

The Florida Times-Union, Nassau Neighbors “Organizing Isn’t Job for Amateurs.” “I think ‘stuff’ has become the buzzword of the millennium,” says Pankiewicz as she presented a program at Books Plus. Magee, a client, was quoted as saying, “Pankiewicz taught us new skill while she helped us tackle our organizing projects.”