Hoarders

About Hoarders

Hoarders is a critically acclaimed reality television series that debuted on A&E in 2009. The riveting show dives into the everyday lives of people afflicted with chronic hoarding, a mental disorder marked by an obsessive desire to collect items coupled with the inability to discard them. Each episode features one or two individuals battling severe hoarding cases and takes the audience through the effort to reclaim their lives.

Making / Production

Produced by A&E television networks in collaboration with Screaming Flea Productions, the series is known for its unflinching probe into the life-altering challenges of compulsive hoarding. The production team works with professional organizers, mental health professionals, and in some cases, local authorities to help the participants get their hoarding issues under control.

Actors

• Dr. Robin Zasio – One of the main therapists on the show whose expertise is in treating hoarding and OCD among other issues. Her empathetic approach aids in establishing a strong rapport with the participants.
• Matt Paxton – A versatile extreme cleaning specialist who uses a direct yet compassionate approach to help hoarders discard their accumulated possessions.
• Dr. Suzanne Chabaud – A licensed psychologist specializing in OCD and hoarding disorders, she brings a great deal of expertise to navigate the complex issues of hoarding.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The production crew often wears hazardous material suits during clean-outs due to the potential dangers present in a hoarder’s home.
• Some clean-outs have been so severe that the structure of the home needed to be entirely gutted and rebuilt.
• According to several episode follow-ups, the majority of participants were able to maintain cleaner homes after filming.

Quotes

• "Don't mistake a clean house with progress. The hoarding is a symptom of a much deeper issue." - Dr. Robin Zasio
• "I can't believe I let it get this bad." - Participant
• "A hoarder’s possessions are a physical manifestation of their psychological pain." - Dr. Suzanne Chabaud

Music, Soundtrack

• The primary soundtrack to Hoarders is instrumental, aiming to evoke the seriousness and emotion of the situations portrayed, composed by a range of artists from production music libraries.