
"Hoarders" is an often painful look inside a disease that can bury its sufferer -- literally at times -- in its symptoms. Each hourlong episode profiles two people on the verge of a personal crisis, all caused by the fact that they are unable to part with even the tiniest possessions, and the cumulative effect becomes a mountain of junk and garbage overtaking their home or apartment. If they don't respond to professional help, the consequences sometimes involve eviction, kids being taken away, or even jail time.

A hoarder may lose his grandchildren if he doesn't clean up; a hoard forces an elderly couple out.

An eyesore among expensive homes; hoarding parents create their own teen hoarder.

A woman racks up $50,000 in credit-card debt as she fills her home with mounds of clothing; a woman's collection of cardboard boxes forces her out of her own house.

A man who suffered brain trauma in an accident collects items that he thinks may trigger his memories; a woman hoards items that belonged to three late family members.