According to a Mayo Clinic report, hoarding is the excessive collection of items, along with the inability to discard them. Sometimes homes are filled to capacity with so many items that there is only a narrow pathway to walk; winding through the stacks of clutter. In addition to items, some people also collect animals. Sometimes keeping dozens or even hundreds of pets in unsanitary conditions.
In mental health terms, hoarding can also be a symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder. But not everyone who hoards has OCD, so researchers are working to better understand hoarding as a distinct mental health problem. And it can be a problem for many people.
People who hoard don’t always think they are hoarding. Some people who hoard believe they are just “collecting.” But with some education and proper treatment, most people who hoard come to understand their compulsions, and can learn how to live a more safe and happier lifestyle.
When you walk into the home of a person who hoards, you might find countertops, sinks, stoves, desks, stairways, and all other surfaces stacked with stuff. If they run out of room inside, the clutter might even spread to the garage, the vehicle, and the yard.
Are you a hoarder? Here are some signs and symptoms of hoarding:
• Cluttered living spaces.
• Inability to discard items.
• Keeping stacks of newspapers, magazines or junk mail.
• Moving items from one pile to another, without filing or discarding anything.
• Acquiring unneeded or seemingly useless items, including trash.
• Difficulty managing daily activities, including procrastination and trouble making decisions.
• Difficulty organizing time.
• Perfectionism.
• Excessive attachment to possessions, and discomfort letting others touch or borrow possessions.
• Limited or no social interactions.
People who hoard often do so because they believe these items might be needed some day; or might be of value in the future. A person might also hoard items that he/she feels have important emotional significance. Some people hoard items that remind them of a happier time; or items that represent a loved one; or items that remind them of a beloved pet. Some people report feeling a sense of calm or safety when surrounded by the things they collect.
However, hoarding can lead to a variety of complications. Hoarding can cause unsanitary conditions and those conditions can be a risk to a person’s health. Hoarding can lead to an inability to perform even simple daily tasks such as bathing or cooking. Hoarding can spill over into one’s workplace making it difficult to concentrate or perform work duties. Hoarding creates a lifestyle of loneliness, and isolation. And last but not least, hoarding poses a real fire hazard.
If you or someone you know has the symptoms of hoarding, it is important to call a doctor, or a mental health provider today. The sooner the better. The longer you wait, the worse the hoarding can get. As some people with hoarding symptoms don’t even recognize that their behavior is causing a problem.
Seeking help for hoarding does not mean that someone will come into your home and start throwing things out. No one is going to do that. Seeking help means making an appointment to start talking about hoarding. It means learning about the proper treatment.
Hoarding may not be able to be prevented, but getting help at the first sign of a problem (or as soon as possible) can keep hoarding from getting any worse.
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Information in this column was taken from “Hoarding,” by the staff of the Mayo Clinic.
