
"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's hoarding increases following the deaths of her two sons; a former maître d' has a compulsion for clearance-sale items.
A woman is obsessed with collecting cats; a house cleaner's home is a clutter-filled disaster area.
A woman shops to "protect" herself from abusive family members; an ex-Marine faces a city order.
A 7-year-old is affected by mother's hoarding; a marriage of 48 years is in danger from hoarding.