Compulsive hoarding is a mental condition that influences the quality of life. Its impact may affect the hoarder themselves, and the people sharing their space. Compulsive hoarding develops over time. Today we discuss the five steps of compulsive hoarding, in order to improve our understanding.
What Is Compulsive Hoarding Broadly Speaking?
Compulsive hoarders may collect a wide variety of different things. These might include the following, although the common denominator is that they must be of value to them:
- Correspondence, newspapers, magazines, notes, and books.
- Food containers, fresh food, tinned food, and garbage.
- Books, photographs, diaries, clothing, broken tools, and pets.
Before delving into the five steps of compulsive hoarding, we should mention the condition may coexist with obsessive compulsive disorder and depression.
More About The Five Steps of Compulsive Hoarding
STEP ONE: THE TRANSPARENT PHASE
The first step of the condition is difficult to detect. That’s because the indicators are low key. In fact, they have more to do with individual behaviour than untidiness itself. So we might notice our friend’s home is disorganized with not all the shopping put away. However, this is not something we would like to mention, and so the condition gradually deteriorates.
These preliminary stages often begin in early adulthood, and first appear as excessive shopping. We may notice our friend has difficulty throwing things away, and tidying their home. They may also appear anxious when we suggest they don’t need all of their possessions.
This inability to let things go, and a defensive attitude when we suggest it, is a key indicator they may have entered the first step of compulsive hoarding. But things have not yet reached the stage where we feel we should intervene. And so we miss the opportunity to help our friend.
STEP TWO: THE EVOLUTION OF CLUTTER
We may wonder whether our friend has made a step change when their home becomes dirty and untidy, because the behavioural changes we noticed earlier have begun affecting their quality of life.
However, at this stage this is simply our subjective evaluation. Who are we to tell them how to behave, although we notice the following trends:
- Clutter is starting to accumulate although it may only affect one room.
- Housekeeping is on the back foot as the home steadily becomes dirtier.
- The hoarder seems embarrassed as they try to conceal these things.
THE THIRD STEP OF COMPULSIVE HOARDING
The third stage of compulsive hoarding is a critical one. This is because personal hygiene becomes an issue, as the hoarder struggles with their weight, personal hygiene, and mental health.
Rats and mice move in as they find a new source of food. We see trails of ants and insects everywhere when we visit. Unpleasant smells start to take over the home, and several rooms are no longer usable because of the junk. If there are other people living in the home then they start to move away.
The hoarder becomes noticeably embarrassed by the outward signs of their condition. They increasingly distance themselves from the outside world. We no longer seem welcome when we visit and they stop inviting us inside.
STEP FOUR: DETERIORATING LIVING SPACE
It seems as if collecting things has taken over from the hoarder’s concern for their home. Their physical structure begins to deteriorate, and there may be stoppages in the plumbing. Mildew and mould spread throughout the home. It is as if the hoarder no longer cares.
If they have pets then their waste lies all over the place. There is rotting food in the kitchen, and several of the doorways are blocked. If somebody else is still living in the home, they remain behind locked doors, if we are allowed to visit.
Our friend the hoarder is locked away in a secret world. The state of the home that concerns us so much, no longer seems to matter to them. We feel helpless in the face of what we see. If only, if only we had done something earlier.
STEP FIVE: WHEN A HOME IS NO LONGER A HOME
Stage five hoarding is a sorry state indeed. That’s because it is near impossible to live in the home anymore. The hoarder staying there and any family are in serious need of help. Their home may have serious structural damage, and is no longer be safe to live in.
There could be dead animals, doors off hinges and falling ceilings in there. There is only one solution at this point in the five steps of hoarding. Move the family out at least temporarily, and give the place a decent clean. And then decide what to do next.
How Avery Associates Helps In Situations Like This
Avery Associates offers a bespoke house clearing service. We go through contents carefully and sift out anything of value. Then we prepare the rest for recycling and deliver it to the council depot, before giving the home a jolly good clean.
