Hoarding is a lifestyle where a person accumulates considerably more possessions than they need, and stores them in a chaotic state. The outward sign is a growing collection with no or little objective value. The challenges of hoarding disorder are many as we touch on here.
How Common Is Hoarding in England?
Hoarding syndrome affects between 2% and 5% of the population in England, although it may be more common in urban settings. Now 5% is one-in-twenty of the population, suggesting there may be a hoarder in every city street. However, hoarding disorder only becomes a challenge if:
- The volume of clutter interferes with normal, healthy living, AND / OR
- The hoarding affects the quality of others sharing the same living space
Over Arching Challenge of Hoarding Disorder
However, those two factors are not the greatest challenges of hoarding disorder. That’s because the greatest obstacle is often the hoarder’s inability to classify their lifestyle as a problem. They become upset if anybody tries to correct the situation, dig their heels in and simply refuse to listen.
Others may recognize they may have a deep-seated problem, but are too ashamed, or embarrassed to reach out for help. This can exacerbate the problem. They shrink deeper into themselves, and become recluses. A trusted family friend may be able to help. But the general consensus is seek advice from the welfare first,
What Causes Hoarding and Can We Prevent It?
There are various factors that may trigger hoarding according to NHS.
- In the first instance, hoarding may be an outward sign of an underlying condition. NHS mentions mobility issues and learning disorder in this regard.
- But severe depression, psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) may also play a role.
- However, hoarding may alternatively be a condition in itself, aligned with self-neglect. A deprived childhood in a hoarded home may trigger it.
- The condition tends to manifest in late middle age, and may follow on from an emotionally traumatic event such as losing a loved one.
Emotional Underpinnings of Hoarding Syndrome
We have touched on the primary challenges of hoarding disorder, how it may be a symptom of another condition, and the various factors triggering it. However, whatever the origin, the common denominator is a strongly-held belief in the validity of the behaviour.
Challenging Hoarding Disorder – Possessiveness
Strongly-held beliefs in the value of their ‘collections’ underpins hoarders’ inability to detect a problem. They are convicted the items hold value, that they need more of them, and they will prove useful someday.
Hoarders honestly believe the world is out of step with them, and they will prove correct some day. Their obsession fills them with zeal. They have a passion about their possessions that puts many genuine collectors to shame.
At What Point Does Hoarding Become Collecting?
Defining the dividing line is another challenge of hoarding disorder. That’s because hoarders believe they are holding stock of future value against shortages. Collectors may share a few overlapping motives, although the difference is obvious at first sight:
- Collections are well organised and stored with pride for all to see.
- Hoards are often tucked away out of sight and are largely inaccessible.
But the clincher is often the personality of the hoarder themselves, leading to the almost inescapable conclusion hoarding is a mental condition:
- Hoarders find it difficult to sort things into categories.
- In fact, they find making any decision a challenge.
- They struggle to complete everyday tasks like cleaning.
- They have poor, often fragmented relationships with family.
- Yet they are extremely attached, and possessive of their hoards.
There is also a pattern in the type of items compulsive hoarders accumulate. These typically include some, not all of newspapers, magazines, books, clothes, junk mail, leaflets, bills, receipts, food containers, and household supplies. Some also hoard animals such as stray pets, while others accumulate vast amounts of data.
Why You Should Not Ignore a Hoarder
A hoarder’s home inevitably degenerates into a health hazard of rotting food and rodents. It can become dangerous too. An elderly hoarder may easily trip over something, fall, break their leg and lie helpless for days. You really do need to speak to a doctor, and make an effort to restore order to the place.
Why not let Avery Associates clear the clutter away, and give the house a good clean. We have a full-time team who does this, and they are adept at spotting and recovering items of value. We bag and list everything we find, and hand it over to the client in exchange for a receipt. You’ll not find a better service in the South of England according to our customers.
