A psychotherapist has said hoarding can affect anybody at any age.
Fiona Hall was speaking after firefighters rescued a man who became trapped in his Dublin home because of hoarding.
The man, aged in his 70s, was reportedly trapped for 14 hours before he was rescued.
Fiona told Lunchtime Live the condition can be misunderstood.
"I have worked in this area for about six years, and I've worked with hoarders in their own homes.
"Nobody intentionally intends to live that way."
'One or multiple traumas'
She said there are usually a number of factors involved.
"In my experience it's usually one trauma or in some cases multiple traumas where there could have been a loss or a tragedy.
"People turn their emotional attachment away from people to stuff and to things.
"Stuff will never leave them, stuff will never break their heart and - in the kind of understanding that only that client can have - these things are of a comfort to them.
"And then it gets out of hand, and clients just don't know where to start or what to do.
"I have been in homes, and I've been the first person in that home in maybe 10/15 years.
"The shame and the guilt builds - and it can affect anybody at any age".
She said most people actually want help, but this has to be managed carefully.
"In nine times out of 10 with clients I work with, they don't want to live like that.
"It's physically and emotionally just not being able to take that first step.
"And sometimes well-meaning relatives... might come in and decide to clear out the house and take everything away.
"But they're doing that because of their stress and anxiety regarding how a relative lives.
"I would say to relatives: how would you feel if you went on holidays, and came back and somebody reorganised our house and threw out your stuff?"
Listen to her full advice below.
