A pensioner spent 14 hours on the floor after becoming trapped in his own home in Dublin because of hoarding.
The Dublin Fire Brigade, which rescued the man, is encouraging people with the disorder to look for help.
A photo posted on Dublin Fire Brigade's Twitter page shows mounds of belongings and rubbish blocking a hallway and stairs.
They can be seen piled as high as the ceiling in some places, at the Dublin home.
Crews were called in to rescue a man in his 70's who had become trapped inside for around 14 hours.
Firefighters were called to a person who became trapped in their home due to hoarding.
Hoarding is a disorder that needs treatment and managing.
Apart from an obvious fire and escape risk, hoarding is a health risk.
Do you know someone who hoards? Speak to their GP for advice. pic.twitter.com/a6xcG9DyJb— Dublin Fire Brigade (@DubFireBrigade) September 6, 2022
Counselling psychologist and TU Dublin lecturer Leslie Shoemaker says hoarding is part of the OCD spectrum and affects 3 to 6 per cent of the population.
"This was somebody who was clearly an extreme hoarder.
"This is not something that they are doing as a form of indulgence, they are not lazy.
"This is a proper, full-blown disorder."
Sean Moynihan, CEO of Alone, says they see two to three cases a week. #
He says those with the disorder need professional support.
"If you move to quickly with someone to declutter, you can actually impoverish them and you can cause them a lot of physical and mental damage."
The DFB says hoarding is a fire hazard but also a health issue - it says those with the disorder - or friends and family - should speak with a GP to start the process of getting help
