Is it Clutter, or Are You a Hidden Hoarder?
How to tell if you - or someone you love - needs help for compulsive hoarding
Whether you live on your own, with a roommate, a partner, kids or extended family… who hasn’t needed to contend with some clutter?
We looking at you - cliché ‘junk drawer’! Or, how about the folded laundry that sits on tops of drawers because there’s no room in the drawers? Maybe it’s the tool ‘area’ in the garage that has now overtaken the garage? Or, let’s not forget the ‘shoe store’ that has taken over the front entrance hall?
Most people have areas like that in their home and it’s a source of frustration.
But when does our “clutter” become too much?
Before we go any further, we need to clearly define what hoarding is… and isn’t.
“Hoarding” is a word that gets thrown around a lot these days. Remember the toilet paper shortage during the pandemic? What about those people who have hobbies or collections? There’s a big difference between stockpiling, having a hard time throwing things away, and having a true hoarding disorder.
So, what’s the difference between clutter and hoarding?
While both involve holding onto possessions in a person’s living space, there are key differences between clutter and hoarding. The differences between the two are about an individual’s specific beliefs and behaviours - with regards to their possessions - and the implications of these beliefs and behaviours for themselves and others.
Can you relate to any of these personas?
THE STOCKPILER
A stockpiler is someone who likes to amass a lot of stuff, but they are able to keep things organized. They do not suffer significantly from their behaviour in terms of their everyday life and even though they may own a lot of things, they are able to part with things that are no longer helpful or required.
For example:
The coupon clipper who shops in bulk at Costco and has a pantry filled to the brim. Everything is labelled and organized better than any store.
THE COLLECTOR
A collector is someone who enjoys collecting things that are associated with a particular interest or hobby, such as books, crafts or a sport. Even though they may have a sizable collection, they are usually able to keep it orderly and their behaviour does not significantly interfere with their everyday lives or cause them any serious grief.
For example:
The avid reader who believes in ‘real books’ and frequents Indigo on the monthly to get the next stack of novels to devour. Once read, the get added to the ‘library’ where they are catalogued by genre and author.
THE PACK RAT
Similar to the collector, a pack rat is someone who enjoys accumulating possessions that are associated with a particular interest or level of enjoyment. Even though they may have a lot of physical items, they are generally able to keep things organized and their behaviour does not significantly interfere with their day-to-day living or cause them stress.
For example:
The fashionista who carefully curates their clothing by season, colour, size and event in their custom-designed walk-in closet. They still have some pieces from high school, frequently thrift for vintage finds and know when all their fav brands have the best sales.
THE CLUTTER-ER
Clutter refers to the accumulation of items that are not particularly useful or necessary, but are present in a person’s living space. Clutter can be caused by a variety of factors including: a lack of organization skills, procrastination, or an inability to let go of certain possessions. Or, clutter can just be an ongoing side effect of having a busy life with not enough time to manage too many things. Clutter can make a living space feel cramped and disorganized and as a result contribute to feelings of stress and overwhelm.
For example:
The typical mom who is constantly tripping over backpacks, shoes, clothes, toys that never seem to be put back where they belong. Nobody in the house can ever find anything and so much time is wasted looking for keys, wallets, glasses, single-socks, matching shoes, homework, etc., etc., etc.
How do these personas compare to hoarding?
Compulsive hoarding is different from having a cluttered home or collecting, because the items are not displayed, used or have any value. Hoarding is a persistent problem that leads to clutter and an excessive accumulation of items that eventually disrupts someone’s ability to use their living space.
Now some people may have some tendencies towards hoarding but, there are some tangible differences before it becomes a persistent problem that would warrant a compulsive hoarding disorder.
THE HOARDER
Hoarding is a mental health disorder that is marked by chronic difficulties in getting rid of parting with belongings, regardless of their true value. The accumulation of items that hoarding behaviour causes overtakes living areas and hinders everyday tasks which could be dangerous. For individuals who hoard possessions, these ‘items’ typically have a strong emotional connection with them and thought of losing them is overwhelming despite the harm they bring.
For example:
The individual who lost a partner and could not remove or let go of the items that belonged to their partner. Eventually, this individual starts to purchase and collect any object that reminds them of their partner despite the fact that there is no tangible need or use for these purchases. These items have now surpassed the space available within the home and yet, the shopping continues.
The hoarding definition provided by the American Psychiatric Association further clarifies that it is a persistent problem of getting rid of possessions that can lead to clutter and disrupt someone’s ability to use their living or work spaces.
“ Hoarding isn’t about how much stuff someone has, it’s about how they process those things.
MAX PAXTON
What causes hoarding disorder?
Different theories within the field of psychology have developed their own understanding of hoarding but what causes hoarding is not yet known. It appears that hoarding may have a genetic component but overall the commonality is that those people with indecisive temperaments are more likely to develop hoarding disorders.
According to research and statistics, hoarding, typically starts in adolescence, but is more common in older adults, affects roughly 4% of the overall population with males suffering more frequently than females. Hoarding severity seems to be correlated with a lower household income and as a result, hoarding seems to be more common among those with lesser means.
COMMON CAUSES OF HOARDING
Emotional attachment: Strong emotional ties to certain possessions might lead people to hoard because they believe these objects give them comfort, stability, or emotional support.
Trauma: As a coping mechanism, hoarding behaviour may be sparked by traumatic life events including the death of a loved one, a life-threatening illness, or a natural disaster.
Scarcity: Some individuals find it difficult to let go of belongings out of a sense of regret or concern that they may need them in the future. There is the thinking that ‘nothing should go to waste’ and everything they are keeping will be used eventually.
Perfectionism: Perfectionists have issues which procrastination and fear of failure, so they find it difficult to do start, execute and finish a task ‘perfectly’ and as a result tend to not even ‘start’ as a result.
Anxiety and OCD: People with anxiety disorders or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) may develop hoarding behaviors as a way to manage their anxiety or to avoid triggering obsessive thoughts.
Depression and isolation: Hoarding can be a way for people to cope with feelings of depression or loneliness, creating a sense of comfort and security by surrounding themselves with their things.
Are there different types of hoarding?
Depending on the kinds of things someone is hoarding, hoarding can take many different forms and result in a variety of results. There are numerous varieties of hoarding, and these types might vary in their motivations.
COMMON TYPES OF HOARDING
Book hoarding: Those who suffer from this form of hoarding, referred to as bibliomania, keep files, books, and papers even though it is highly improbable that they will ever utilize them again.
Paper hoarding: Paper of various kinds, including bills, invoices, books, magazines, coupons, junk mail, pictures, report cards, receipts, recipes, etc. are kept by those who suffer from a paper hoarding condition. Paper hoarding can be dangerous since it can catch fire and create a severe hazard that could fall on someone.
Shopping hoarding: Shopper or shopping hoarding occurs when someone keeps every item they’ve purchased even if they don’t use it. The objects shopper hoarders may have can be anything — food, clothing, photos, collectibles, etc. These purchases typically remain unopened and still in their packages with price tags attached.
Food hoarding: When someone takes home excessive amounts of food or bags of groceries when their refrigerator and cabinets are already stocked, this is known as food hoarding. The food can go bad, draw vermin and bugs, and produce bacteria and viruses. People who suffer from food hoarding disorders frequently buy too much food and don't discard any of it. Food hoarders frequently have stacks of rotten food lying around their home.
Animal hoarding: Most commonly, the act of gathering strays or rescuing animals from shelters is the first step towards animal hoarding. Animal hoarders frequently end up with more pets than they can adequately care for. They keep buying new animals rather than donating some of their current ones. The two most prevalent types are dog and cat hoarding, although any animal can be hoarded.
Trash hoarding: People with trash hoarding disorders frequently rummage through other people's rubbish to uncover their own treasures, which they bring back to their home, in addition to saving or maintaining mountains of waste. The rotting trash will almost certainly attract rodents and other pests. Due to the diseases they spread or the offspring they produce from waste, pests and vermin might present additional issues for someone who hoards trash.
What are the consequences of hoarding?
For the hoarder and their loved ones, hoarding can have devastating repercussions including: that can include financial difficulty, the development or amplification of a mental health issue like depression, and physical harm and illness.
CONSEQUENCES OF HOARDING:
Debt / financial difficulty : Financial difficulty is frequently caused by the overspending on purchases that feed the hoarding.
Development or amplification of mental health issues: Because of their living conditions or due to existing mental health issues, hoarders are more likely to develop and experience debilitating anxiety, depression or other mental health conditions.
Isolation: Many hoarders refrain from inviting anyone - including friends and family - to their house due to embarrassment or deep shame. As a result, hoarders tend to live in isolation which fuels their attachment to their ‘things’ that keep them company.
Relationships: For those living with a hoarder, it can be extremely difficult on so many levels. For the partner and child(ren) of hoarders, they may refrain from - or not be allowed to - invite others over due to the condition of the home. Eventually, some partners, kids and family members will start developing resentment towards the hoarder as a result of the toxic lifestyle that hoarding fosters. This resentment can lead to mental health consequences for all involved including the development of depression or another mental illness, and /or a breakdown of the relationship between partners and/or children.
Health and safety risks: Depending on the degree of the disease, those who suffer from hoarding disorder can be ejected from their home in order to protect them and others from health and safety risks.
In terms of health, hoarding and clutter has a negative impact on air quality which can lead to respiratory issues. Combine that with the extreme cases of trash, animal or human waste that can accumulate, high quantities of ammonia in the waste can impair brain function causing respiratory discomfort or failure. The risk of infectious illnesses, diarrhea, and allergic reactions is increased by these poor sanitary conditions which can also impact the general public.
In terms of safety, when clutter impedes movement throughout the living space and access to vents, windows and doors are blocked, the living space can become dangerous in a number of ways. Damage to ceilings, walls and plumbing (hidden by the hoard) can lead to structural damage. Blocked walkways and perilously stacked items can lead to falls and injury and make the house inaccessible in the case of an emergency. Combined, these two factors make the possibility of a fire higher and the likelihood of survival lower.
Loss of property: Again, depending on the degree of hoarding and financial situation, some individuals run the risk of losing their possessions and their home to the landfill, eviction or condemnation.
What can I do if I think I am starting to develop a problem with hoarding?
The first step towards addressing hoarding behaviour is to acknowledge that is a problem for you and that you need help to overcome it. The fact that you are asking this question and reading this blog post means you want to improve your situation and that is a big first step that should be applauded!
NEXT STEPS:
Get support: Hoarding disorder can be a challenging and isolating condition to manage on your own. Consider reaching out to friends and family members for support during this journey.
Seek professional help: Hoarding disorder is is an official mental health condition that requires a licensed mental health professional diagnoses and intervention to manage effectively. This could be a psychologist, psychiatrist, clinical social worker or professional counsellor.
Create a plan: When you work with your mental health professional, one of the things you will do is to create a plan for addressing your hoarding behavior. This may include setting specific goals, identifying triggers for hoarding behavior, and developing strategies for decluttering and organizing your living spaces.
Practice decluttering: Start small by decluttering one area of your home at a time. Sort your possessions into categories such as keep, donate, or discard, and work on letting go of possessions that are no longer useful or necessary.
Develop new habits: To prevent hoarding behavior from recurring, it's important to develop new habits for managing possessions. This may include setting limits on the number of possessions you keep, implementing regular cleaning and decluttering routines, and developing strategies for organizing your living spaces.
Remember, recovery from hoarding disorder is a process that takes time and effort. By acknowledging the problem, seeking professional help, and implementing new habits, you can take steps towards managing your hoarding behavior and improving your quality of life.
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