Located in southern Orange County, and with a population of about 40,000, Dana Point has been described as “the only romantic spot on the coast.” In many ways, the lovely, vibrant community lives up to this adage. However, under the surface of the pleasing life of Dana Point brews something far less attractive.

Oftentimes hidden from even friends and family members, there are residents of Dana Point that suffer from hoarding disorder. The world-renowned Mayo Clinic defines hoarding disorder as:

Hoarding disorder is a persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions because of a perceived need to save them. A person with hoarding disorder experiences distresses at the thought of getting rid of the items. Excessive accumulation of items, regardless of actual value, occurs.

How Common Is Hoarding Disorder in Dana Point?

In the grand scheme of things, determining how many people are afflicted with hoarding disorder is an impossible task. The best experts can do is present a range. Hoarding disorder researchers have generally concluded that about 2 to 5 percent of the population in Dana Point, and across the United States, suffer from hoarding disorder. That means that about 200 people in Dana Point are hoarders.

Unlike come communities in Orange County, Dana Point has not yet had a reported, dramatic case of hoarding. Nonetheless, there have been innumerable cases of people in Dana Point who have suffered the consequences of hoarding. This includes everything from social isolation to a myriad of health problems that can arise when a person hoards.

Professional Mental Health Assistance for Hoarding Disorder

In order to truly address hoarding disorder, a person suffering from the condition must do more than have hoarder property cleanup. In order to avoid lapsing back into hoarding, an individual needs to obtain professional mental health assistance to address hoarding disorder. There are mental health professionals in Dana Point that work with individuals suffering from hoarding disorder. These professionals include:

Dr. Arlene K. Unger PhD
The Center for Empowerment
34052 La Plaza Drive, #107
Dana Point, California 92629
(949) 342-5931

Beach Cities Psychological Clinic, Inc.
24681 La Plaza, Suite 370
Dana Point, California 92629
(949) 899-5790

Carolyn Light
34052 La Plaza Drive, Suite 107
Dana Point, California 92629
(619) 796-6922

As an aside, family members of a hoarder face their own set of emotional issues and challenges. These mental health professionals are also available to assist family members of hoarders who face their own emotional challenges. In addition, they can make referrals to Dana Point support groups for individuals who have a loved one who hoards.

These Dana Point support groups can prove helpful in aiding family members of hoarders to address their own emotional issues. In addition, members of these groups are also typically helpful in assisting people in accessing other types of resources that can be of assistance to them and to the individual in their lives afflicted with hoarding disorder.

Professional Hoarder Property Cleanup Services

In addition to obtaining assistance from a mental health professional as part of addressing hoarding disorder, a person with this is best served by engaging the services of a professional hoarder property cleanup service. The reason for hiring a professional hoarder property cleanup service is a preferable course is because this type of specialist understands the steps necessary to effectively undertake this type of remediation effort.

An experienced hoarder property cleanup professional is also adept at working with a person suffering from hoarding disorder. The reality is that convincing a hoarder that cleanup is necessary typically proves to be a challenging endeavor.

Signs of Hoarding

As mentioned previously, many people who hoard in Dana Point fly under the proverbial radar. In the end, family and friends need to be diligent in striving to identify signs that a person suffers from hoarding disorder. There exist some signs that a person is afflicted with hoarding disorder. These include:

  • Extreme reluctance to throw anything away
  • Maintaining stacks of different types of paper with no value
  • Challenges making even simple decisions
  • Profound procrastination
  • Lack of organizational skills
  • Excessive emotional attachment to random items
  • Shame about the state of residence
  • Limited to no social activity
  • Impulsive purchasing of unnecessary items
  • Unsafe and unsanitary living conditions

When these signs are detected, a family member or another person in the life of a suspected hoarder should reach out to a mental health professional with experience in hoarding. Dana Point therapists and counselors that work in this area have been identified previously. These professionals can play an important role in developing a strategy to address the essential elements of compulsive hoarding. Indeed, this might in include some type of hoarding intervention.