Ep 7. Susan & Michael

Susan and Michael are the subjects of episode 7 of season 6 of Hoarders. The episode begins with an introduction to Susan, a 56-year-old woman who lives alone in her childhood home. Susan's home is packed full of clutter, including a large collection of dolls, stuffed animals, and other trinkets. The clutter has completely taken over the house, leaving Susan with only a small path to navigate. The ceiling leaks, the floors are covered with trash and debris, and there is a pervasive odor throughout the home.

As the episode progresses, we learn more about Susan's backstory. She grew up in the house with her parents and sister, and her hoarding tendencies began at a young age. Her sister has since passed away, and her parents have both moved out of the home due to the unlivable conditions. Susan has been left alone to deal with her hoarding, and it has only grown worse over time.

The Hoarders team arrives to help Susan, and they quickly realize the enormity of the task ahead. The team includes a therapist, a professional organizer, and a cleaning crew. The therapist works with Susan to understand the emotional reasons why she hoards objects, while the organizer helps her to sort through the clutter and decide what to keep and what to discard. The cleaning crew works tirelessly to remove the mountains of trash and debris that have accumulated over the years.

As the team works, we also meet Michael. Michael is a 40-year-old man who is living in a rented home with his wife and children. Michael's hoarding is focused on food, and his kitchen is filled with expired and spoiled food items. The kitchen is infested with pests, and the smell is overwhelming. Michael's wife and children are fed up with the situation and are on the verge of leaving him.

The Hoarders team also works with Michael, using the same approach as with Susan. The therapist helps him to address the emotional reasons behind his hoarding, while the organizer helps him to sort through the expired food items and clean out the pests. Michael is resistant at first, but eventually agrees to the process and makes progress in cleaning up his home.

Throughout the episode, we see the emotional toll that hoarding takes on Susan and Michael. Both struggle with anxiety and depression, and both are isolated from friends and family due to the shame and embarrassment they feel about their hoarding. However, with the help of the Hoarders team, they are able to make significant strides in addressing their hoarding.

By the end of the episode, Susan's home is transformed into a livable space once again. The clutter has been removed, and the leaks and other structural issues have been repaired. Susan is emotional as she sees her home transformed, and she expresses gratitude to the Hoarders team for the help they provided.

Similarly, Michael's kitchen is transformed into a clean, sanitary space. The expired food has been removed, the pests have been exterminated, and the smell is gone. Michael's wife and children are relieved to see the changes and express hope for the future.

Overall, Susan and Michael's story is a powerful reminder of the devastating impact that hoarding can have on a person's life. However, it is also a story of hope, as both are able to make progress with the help of the Hoarders team. The episode is a must-watch for anyone who wants to gain a deeper understanding of hoarding and the strategies used to address it.