Ep 6. Barbara G./Fred and Mary

Barbara G./Fred and Mary is the sixth episode of the fifth season of the popular television show, Hoarders. This episode follows the stories of three individuals - Barbara, Fred, and Mary - all of whom are dealing with the debilitating effects of hoarding.

Barbara G. is a middle-aged woman who has been living in the same house for over 20 years. However, over time, Barbara's possessions have overtaken her home and made it almost impossible for her to live there. Her hoarding has become so severe that she can no longer use her kitchen, bathroom, or bedroom. She is forced to sleep on the couch in the living room because her bed is filled with clutter. Barbara's hoard has also caused a lot of tension between her and her husband. He is fed up with the mess and is threatening to leave her if she doesn't clean up.

Fred is a man in his 50s who has been hoarding for over 30 years. His home is filled with a vast array of items, from newspapers and magazines to boxes of old electronics and broken appliances. Fred's hoard has grown so large that he has had to rent a storage unit to store some of it. However, the storage unit has become just another place for him to hoard, and it is now almost as cluttered as his home. The clutter has taken over Fred's life, making it difficult for him to pursue any of his hobbies or spend time with friends and family.

Mary is an elderly woman who lives alone in a small apartment. Her hoarding has caused her to become isolated from her family and friends. She is unable to invite anyone over and rarely leaves her home. Her home is filled to the brim with hoarded items, including an extensive collection of dolls. The dolls are her most prized possessions, and she is unwilling to part with any of them. However, her hoarding has caused a significant health risk, with mold and mildew growing in her apartment due to the clutter.

The episode follows each individual as they work with a team of trained professionals to clean up their hoards. The teams work tirelessly, using a combination of empathy and tough love to help each hoarder confront their issues. Each hoarder faces a different set of challenges, from physical health problems to emotional distress. However, with the help of the experts, they all make significant progress in reclaiming their homes and their lives.

Barbara faces the difficult task of separating herself from her possessions. She is attached to each item and feels a sense of responsibility for them. She is afraid of throwing anything away, feeling that she may need it someday. However, through counseling and support from the cleaning team, she learns to let go of her possessions and begin to take control of her life.

Fred confronts his fears and anxiety over the prospect of cleaning up his home. He faces challenges in letting go of the clutter that has taken over his life, but he learns to trust the cleaning team to help him through the process. The cleaners help him to find new ways to organize and store the items he wants to keep, while also throwing away anything that is beyond repair.

Mary faces the challenge of dealing with her emotional attachment to her dolls. She is afraid that she will lose a part of herself by getting rid of them. However, the cleaning team helps her to see that she can keep a selection of her favorite dolls while also letting go of the ones that are causing her home to become hazardous to her health.

Overall, the episode is a poignant reminder of the struggles of hoarding and the value of seeking help. Each of the hoarders faces a different set of challenges, but through support, they are all able to make a significant change in their lives.