I am obsessive/compulsively hoarding- Please help, I'm drowning in STUFF!?

I was searching net for ways to get organized. I learned that I am hoarding, %26amp; I absolutely-positively cannot get rid of/throw away/give away the things that I hoard. It's ruining my life! I don't want to have people over b/c they will see my mess, %26amp; I don't want to leave my apt b/c maybe someone may rob me while I'm gone. I can go to school and work, but socializing at night is hard b/c I'm more likely to get burgalarized. What do I hoard? Here it goes: large microwave box of old towels/shirts to use as rags. Office supplies- esp filing stuff. Cosmetics-some almost ten years old, lotions, shampoo/conditioner- even a shoebox full of sample sizes, styling products, hair accessories. 3ft stack of paper w/ print on 1 side (scrap paper). Arts/crafts. Clothes/shoes/etc. Cardboard boxes/storage bins/jars/etc (to store my stuff)-most of which remain empty, I keep buying more so I can organize all my stuff. There's more but no room to mention here. I can't let it go! I can't stop gettin more.

I am obsessive/compulsively hoarding- Please help, I'm drowning in STUFF!?

I say this with empathy. Get some counseling. I am a hoarder also. Try just going out front or back for a bit and lengthen it each week. You sound like you have agoraphobia also. I am doing the "Flylady" slow but sure. If at first we don't succeed we have to let it go. No guilt. Just keep trying.

Are you able to go out even for counseling? Are you open to meds for a trial? They may help to get us going.

I am obsessive/compulsively hoarding- Please help, I'm drowning in STUFF!?

write to Dr Phil, he's helped several people with this problem

I am obsessive/compulsively hoarding- Please help, I'm drowning in STUFF!?

Throw out all your stuff on the lawn and set-up a garage sale. that way, you can clear out your junk and earn some cash on the side.

it doesn't matter if it's messy as people will just sort out whatever they want.

I am obsessive/compulsively hoarding- Please help, I'm drowning in STUFF!?

i feel for you. i have faced this problem and what really helped me out is a book call "organizing your life from the inside out" this book talks about organizing your space in a way to fit ur individual self. it is amazing because it doesnt try to get u to change ur ways. u can find it at any borders book store.