CHAOS

CHAOS.  Sometimes when I study for this work I choose, I learn things that make me cry. In 1995, psychologists published a tested questionnaire, the Confusion, Hubbub and Order Scale, which allows people, in particular parents, to accurately self-report how disorderly, chaotic and/or disruptive their home environments are. The more disorganized a home, the more physically, mentally and emotionally dangerous the home is for children. I despise the word “obvious” and I will use it – there are obvious correlations between hoarded homes and the parameters of this survey. A corollary to the CHAOS mechanism is the ACES, Adverse Childhood Experiences questionnaire.

The person who taught me about the CHAOS and ACES assessments scores 7 out of 10 on on the ACES review. Four of the marks are direct results of growing up in a hoarded home, with a parent with hoarding disorder. A person who scores 4 or more is at significant risk of developing brain-based and other health challenges.