Ep 12. Diana/Dolores

Diana/Dolores is an emotional episode of Hoarders, which explores the stories of two women whose lives have been consumed by hoarding. Diana, a 46-year-old woman, has been hoarding for over 20 years and has accumulated so many belongings that they now fill four separate apartments. Her hoarding has caused her to lose the custody of her children, and she has become estranged from her family as a result. Diana's hoard includes discarded furniture, clothing, and even a piano that she has been unable to part with.

Dolores is a 65-year-old woman whose home is filled with over 30,000 items, including clothes, furniture, and boxes of items that have not been unpacked in years. Dolores' hoarding has caused her to become isolated from her family, and she is unable to move around her home freely. Dolores' hoard has also began to pose safety concerns, with piles of items posing as a fire hazard.

As the episode unfolds, viewers get a glimpse into the complicated emotional lives of both women. Diana reveals that her hoarding began after the separation from her husband, and she felt that she needed to fill her home with belongings to make up for his absence. Dolores reveals that her hoarding began after the death of her mother, and keeping her belongings has helped her feel connected to her after her passing.

The Hoarders team works to help both women clear out their hoards and confront the emotional root causes of their hoarding. The team of psychologists, organizers, and professional cleaners work tirelessly to help both women sort through their belongings, making difficult decisions about what to keep and what to discard.

Throughout the episode, viewers witness the emotional journey that both women go through, with highs and lows as they make progress towards clearing out their hoards. Diana is forced to confront the reality of her situation when her children visit her home, and they are horrified by the state of her home. Dolores is moved to tears when she is forced to part with some of her mother's belongings.

The Hoarders team provides the women with the support they need to overcome their hoarding tendencies, working with them to unpack the emotions that cause them to hoard. Both women make progress throughout the episode, but it is not without its challenges.

Diana, in particular, struggles with the prospect of letting go, and she has multiple breakdowns as she comes to terms with the fact that she needs to let go of some of her belongings. Dolores, on the other hand, is much more receptive to change, and she works hard to clear out her hoard, knowing that it is the only way she can reclaim her life.

As the episode draws to a close, both women have made significant progress, but they have a long way to go. However, they both express gratitude towards the Hoarders team for helping them take the first step towards recovery.

In conclusion, Diana/Dolores is a compelling episode of Hoarders that explores the emotional roots of hoarding and the transformative power of letting go. Through the lens of these two women's stories, viewers get a glimpse into the complex world of hoarding and the importance of addressing the underlying psychological factors that keep people trapped in their hoards. The episode is a testament to the transformative power of therapy and the importance of confronting emotional pain to find healing.