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A hoarder took to This Morning to open up about her shocking 20-year ordeal.

Faye Dawson bravely spoke out about her "secretive disorder" after hoarding has been officially recognised as a mental health condition .

The hoarder hasn't been in bedroom for a year, sleeps on her sofa, and is forced to eat uncooked ready meals because her kitchen is overrun.

She was housebound for over a year and has contemplated suicide but admits she doesn't want to die.

Speaking to Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford , Faye revealed that even her friends and family weren't aware of the extent of her condition.

(Image: ITV) (Image: ITV)

She said: "To give you an example, it's a very secretive disorder, so my friends and family weren’t aware for over a year I was housebound.

"I couldn't get into my bathroom which meant I couldn't shower and do basic hygiene functions. I couldn’t get into my kitchen in order to do the washing, change my clothes.

"I was eating cold ready meals out of the packets with disposable utensils because I couldnt get to my cooker as my kitchen and bathroom were overrun."

(Image: ITV) (Image: ITV)

Faye said there are times where she can manage her condition but she is always aware that she suffers from OCD and hoarding.

She continued: "At this stage in my life I don't have a social life. I can't leave the house - it's anxiety inducing. I haven’t had anyone in my house for four years.

"At the moment I haven’t been in my bedroom for over a year so I’m actually sleeping the sofa. I can't have people in my home. Mine is OCD related so I have to check eveythting.

"Throwing away an item I have to check it and shake it 30 times for every single item. A newspaper has to be done page by page and shaken 30 times per page."

(Image: ITV) (Image: ITV)

She was joined by hoarding expert Claire Dahill, who revealed she has met people who keep their own phlegm and used tissues.

Speaking about how her life is effected, Faye added: "I can't have a relationship. I've chosen not to have children because of my illness.

"Five or six times in my life I've wanted to take my life, not because I want to die, but I can't live like this."

*This Morning airs weekdays on ITV at 10.30am