
"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 woman buys items for her store that never leave her home; a hoarder's husband threatens divorce.

A woman hoards chickens and other farm animals; 30 rabbits destroy a dream home.

A woman learns of her mother's secret life as a hoarder; a couple's home contains 500,000 books.

A food hoarder's property is overrun by chickens and rotten eggs; the wife of an incarcerated murderer claims that loneliness caused her to become a hoarder.