
"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 must clean up her home after a neighbor reports her to the authorities; a former antiques dealer's home becomes a fire hazard.

Two former punk rockers stuff their home with records, comic books, mannequins and other eclectic items; a concerned niece is the only family member willing to help out a hoarding relative.

A hoarder's son wants to leave home; a home-shopping addict has a mysterious illness in her home.

A hoarder eats expired food; a former attorney tries to get her hoarding under control.