'Hoarders': Joanne Admits To Dr. Zasio She Still Thinks About Committing Suicide (VIDEO)

Dr. Robin Zasio has dealt with a lot of different people struggling with various mental illnesses during her time on "Hoarders" (Mon., 9 p.m. EST on A&E). But there was something very haunting in Joanne's eyes that gave Dr. Zasio pause on Monday night's episode.

Many hoarders talk extreme measures when faced with the possibility of losing their belongings, but with Joanne it was her calmness that was perhaps the most disconcerting. Dr. Zasio asked her, "If somebody came in and got rid of all of your stuff today, what would happen to you?"

Joanne's response, delivered with uncomfortable laughter, was, "I'd end up probably with a nice rope down in the basement." Someone had already killed themselves in that basement, and now Joanne was also having suicidal thoughts.

These feelings stemmed from an abusive relationship with her late husband. He would bring his mistresses home and actually flaunt them in front of her. He would also tell her that no one in the family, including her kids and grandkids, loved her.

For Joanne, all it took was the realization and confirmation that her family's love was unconditional -- even after they toured the mess she'd made of her home -- to help her start on the road towards improving her mental health, and cleaning up her house.

The clean up continues on "Hoarders," Mondays at 9 p.m. EST on A&E.

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Need help? In the U.S., call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Comments

[stellablu]

11:21 PM on 01/31/2012

I feel compassion for her suffering!

[ladyana5]

08:46 PM on 01/31/2012

I really hope this show continues to get the ratings and attention it has. It addresses a serious problem and actually gets help for these people. My thing is they do it in 2 DAYS?! Yes, yes, I get it - these people are often living in hazardous, filthy conditions and sooner-the-better option is best. But i really wonder how effective that is on their obviously warped mental state. Nonetheless, it has enlightened me that this is no different from being addicted to drugs or alcohol. I really hope they keep up the effort!

[shelby4087]

07:28 PM on 01/31/2012

Your headline "Extreme hoarder considering suicide" made me laugh instead of giving it proper solemnity. Why not just lfip a coin?

[CommonSensible]

12:29 AM on 02/01/2012

That is funny to you?

[shelby4087]

11:20 AM on 02/01/2012

Suicide is not funny, but the way the headline is worded is funny. It suggests options.

[tyger]

06:17 PM on 01/31/2012

We have to stop collecting. Things have replaced people. The show is so sad, mostly women it seems can't bare to let go of any item. Most of these folks have lost touch with friends and family. Their stuff isolates them from having a decent life. So sad!

[deppropertyservices]

06:00 PM on 01/31/2012

we have worked hoarders for years.its a mental illnesses.­and a illness that is very hard to understand and its not looked at that way by the state and federal goverment so it really hard for them to find funding for this.hoarders come from all walks of life, we have done many high profile jobs for clients. many hoarders will put it off saying they will clean later but sometimes later comes too late.and family members and friends stay away because of this.you may check out our web site..www.deppro­pertyservi­ces.com

[lizsobelcolumbus]

12:08 AM on 02/01/2012

people talk about the rights of these people . what about the rights of the people who are forced to live next to them ? who cares about us ? because in my mind we are the victims . as for killing herself her house probably wouldnt smell that much worse . thats right i have no compassion .

[morekare]

05:10 PM on 01/31/2012

Well, at least she took the right first step and got rid of her abusive husband. Congratulations to Joanne. She has a loving family who will help her to mend her broken life. She loves her family and that's what really matters in life. God bless you, Joanne.

[hattie54]

08:54 PM on 01/31/2012

Got rid of the hubby?He died.The daughter is a " drama queen " and the son-in-law was bleeped every few seconds.

[rsmartin49]

04:57 PM on 01/31/2012

poor lady!

[Heidi Dietrich]

03:13 PM on 01/31/2012

When I dealt with things in my life, my room or my apartment got cleaner and cleaner. I've never been one to store up a lot of things but the decor of my room would change. Now, I have just the basics that I need. Not a lot of knick knacks and stuff like that. I'm more into what is functional and useful. I hate packing up a bunch of stuff. I have futons for beds and can change colors when I want and just keep everything basic and easy to take care of. I don't see the need for a lot of stuff that you end up needing to dust and pack up and move if you ever move again. To me, it's a waste.

[900]

04:03 PM on 01/31/2012

Heidi,
I need you to come and help me! lol... I too have realized that I don't need all the knick knack stuff and have been packing it up and giving it to the Goodwill stores. Wish I would have known alot sooner how these cute little trinkets can weigh a person down. Alot I won't part with because of attachment to the collections (how do I part with those cute little darling bear knick knacks or presious moments?). Don't even get me started on Christmas decorations, too many and will have to go through the plastic storage boxes in the attic and purge ( but they are all so beautiful and I decorate differently every year ).

[Blonde4eva7]

04:42 PM on 01/31/2012

I have lived in the same house my whole life. When I went to college, my car was totalled by a stealing roommate, so my dad had to come pick me up when the semester was over. He literally had to pack all my stuff in a few hours because I just suck at it. Then, I moved in with my bf two years ago and quickly realized that all the cute momentos I had, were really a pain to pack. I am slowly starting to reduce all the junk I have. However, I have done a lot throughout my life and I don't think I'll ever get rid of those memories. On the other hand, I used to love collecting DVDs and now that we have a whole bookcase full of them and I've only watched a hand full of them more than once, that is my next goal to reduce. I understand what you mean and never moving before, I didn't understand what it's like to actually move all that stuff.

[Heidi Dietrich]

05:04 PM on 01/31/2012

One of my rules is if I haven't used it in a year, I either donate it, sell it or throw it away.

[Heidi Dietrich]

05:25 PM on 01/31/2012

Got any good DVD's? You know that you can rent them and return them from the library or Netflix, right?

[bmitche]

02:09 PM on 01/31/2012

Hoarding is a illness that is very hard to understand. I hope this lady gets help before she takes her life.

[andrewreza]

01:56 PM on 01/31/2012

It seems to me that these hoarders must hold on to a lot of mental baggage as well, and that the material hoarding is just a symptom of something deeper. They mostly seem to hold on to garbage... Even if their belongings were truly possessions of value, they can't take it with them anyway.

Living a good, healthy life isn't about a daily accumulation, but rather, a daily taking away. I think the best analogy of this is that of a sculptor chiseling away at that which is not necessary to reveal an inner beauty and that which truly matters.

[Heidi Dietrich]

03:14 PM on 01/31/2012

That's a great posting. F & F.

[TXanimal]

04:12 PM on 01/31/2012

Oh it is definitely a symptom of underlying problems.

I'm a recovering hoarder myself. For me, it was a way of isolating and insulating. I was afraid to deal with the real world. Afraid of rejection, conflict, failure, drama, etc. Turned out I had undiagnosed ADHD. I got help with that, got help for the hoarding, exposed the underlying psychological junk and I'm a different person today!

"I think the best analogy of this is that of a sculptor chiseling away at that which is not necessary to reveal an inner beauty and that which truly matters."

An outstanding thought!

[andrewreza]

05:06 PM on 01/31/2012

Thank you for your kind words and sincere congratulations with overcoming your personal battles!

[Heidi Dietrich]

05:20 PM on 01/31/2012

Wasn't that a great comment? I'm glad you are getting better.

[jmjj]

01:44 PM on 01/31/2012

What a terribly sad situation. Her self esteem must have been/is at an all time low, especially with her husband bringing mistresses home and degrading her that way.

[hbssl]

01:16 PM on 01/31/2012

It is terrible if you have ever experienced anyone with this condition. My sister in law has been living in her mother's house that makes the one in the piece look like a show home. It is floor to ceiling with little paths. It really breaks my wifes heart to see her sister living like that. She thinks that everyone is out to get her and all attempts to help have been shot down by her saying there is nothing wrong and everything id just fine. The Humane Society has been trying to get the cats out of the house for 3 weeks now. She will not answer the door. They will finally get the cops to help get the cats and they will tell the city health department who will find the place unliveable. We have tried for months to help her. We involved the people from her church and hired a professional advisor that deals with hoarding. I hope none of you have to go through this.

[carinined]

03:57 PM on 01/31/2012

wooow that sounds rough. hopefully your sister in law can get the help she needs

[jlogan2664]

01:14 PM on 01/31/2012

I watch this show and while it is shocking and appalling, the thing to rememver is mental illness comes in many forms and hoarding is only one of them. It's not as easy as just getting rid of a hoarder's possessions or saying, "how can he/she live like that?" Addiction is addiction whether it's drugs, alcohol or stuff. It's a very, very sad situation.

[TXanimal]

04:21 PM on 01/31/2012

True. 12-step programs are very effective for hoarders as well.

[hemipwr54]

01:03 PM on 01/31/2012

Darn from the caption I though it was Warren Buffett and was like 'yeah !' and then I saw it was someone else , bummer .

[cazsue]

03:50 PM on 01/31/2012

Warren Buffett gave most of his money to charity - FAIL!!!!!!

[hemipwr54]

07:04 PM on 01/31/2012

Uh , so he says , and you believe him . SUCCESS ! A scam the Warren BUffett way .

Tell me if I or yo give all our money away wouldn't we be broke ? Just saying .

Buffett says he is still a Billionaire , how is that , you gave all your money away Warren .
So success at a scam and a big giant "FAIL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" for you for believing him .

[Budd A Robertson]

12:34 PM on 01/31/2012

For those that can't imagine the depth and fierce control of hoarding disorder, imagine someone telling you that you had to get rid of your favorite chair,golf clubs, racing bike, family treasures or any item that had deep intrinsic value to you. That part of our brain that allows us to form deep meaningful affection of material things goes nuclear haywire in a hoarder's brain where even garbage takes on such value. It is so hard to wonder how someone can sink to such depths without trying to imagine how very, very, sick they are. Dismissing them with disgust or mockery is so sad.

[onionboy]

04:36 PM on 01/31/2012

I don't own a single material object for which I have deep meaningful affection. Seriously. I've had nothing before. It's not so bad. Food, a place for shelter, loved ones; those were all I really cared about day to day.