Avery Associates

House Clearance & Probate Valuation Services


  • HOME
  • HOUSE CLEARANCE
    • Probate House Clearance
    • House Clearance
    • FAQ
    • Hoarder House Clearance
    • Garden Clearance
    • Charity Donations
    • Recycling
    • House Clearance Gallery
    • Our Locations
  • PROBATE VALUATIONS
    • PROBATE HELP
      • Probate Valuation Guide Fees & Advice
      • Probate House Clearance
      • Executor Assistance
      • Solicitor Assistance
      • Our Locations
    • Probate Valuation Explained
    • RICS Property Valuation
    • Classic Cars
    • Jewellery
    • Coins
    • Books
    • Stamps
    • Vintage Toys
    • Records
  • REVIEWS
  • NEWS
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT

Hoarding in the Context of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

July 27, 2019 By Richard Farrell

Obsessive compulsive disorder gives rise to obsessions and compulsions that are more marked than the ‘average person’ in society experiences. Obsessions happen inside our minds and are signs of being fixated about something.

We’ll separate the two and consider compulsions separately here. So what are they, why do we do them and so on? In headline terms, they are purposeful behaviours, intended to counter anxious and unwanted thoughts with physical and mental actions.

We should emphasise at this point that we are speaking of semi-conscious and unconscious acts. People seldom deliberately decide to hoard and start accumulating things. The point is hoarding does add value to their lives and this is the reason why they do it.

What Are the Commonest Compulsions? How Many of Us Have Them?

  • Repeatedly checking doors are locked, the gas is off etc. – 28.8%
  • Washing and cleaning endlessly – 26.5%
  • Repeating the same activity over and over – 11.1%
  • Saying the same thing in a set way in our minds – 10.9%
  • Focusing on keeping things tidy, symmetrical and orderly – 5.9%
  • Hoarding and / or collecting things – 3.5%
  • Counting out loud or in our minds – 2.1%

Source of this Table: OCD UK

We can probably match all the listed compulsions to at least one other person we know. It can be helpful to consider how they cope with them, and how they may be helping them deal with something more profound.

These Compulsions Are Actually Natural Responses

Compulsions are a natural reaction to overcome unwanted thoughts and anxieties by doing deliberate, purposeful things. These reactions may be at the physical or mental level, or both. Here we think of things like seeking reassurances, and avoiding people, places and objects.

Of course everybody does this to an extent, and this may be becoming more intense because of the pressures of city life. A specialist might say they become compulsions when they exceed ‘normal behaviour’.

So How Does a Hoarder Experience Their Compulsion

Hoarders are caught between two extremes. Logic tells them hoarding does not make sense, whereas their emotions override that with a strong, subjective drive according to OCD UK. Hoarding wins because it (temporarily) relieves the anxiety behind this conflict.

Obsessive compulsions play out in rigid and structured routines, they say. This is particularly true in terms of obsessional thoughts about protecting a loved one from harm. This may have a bearing on hoarders preserving things with perceived value. In both cases this can be a positive thought unless taken to an extreme.

People with compulsive behaviours often feel a “heightened sense of responsibility to perform the neutralising behaviour because they feel doing so will prevent harm coming to them or their loved ones” according to OCD UK. At other times they are just chasing after a ‘feel good sensation’ by ‘doing the right thing’.

Pulling These Thoughts Together

Our emotions, thoughts and desires are the outward signs of electro-chemical processes inside our brains. We are all a little different from each other. One person may not be a superb athlete but they might play the guitar rather well. Another could prefer being alone with their own thoughts while gardening.

We need to understand each other better. and stop saying people with obsessive compulsions are ill and need help. If you do not show signs of at least one of those compulsions we listed, then perhaps you are the ‘odd one out’ yourself.

Related

Filed Under: Compulsive Hoarding Tagged With: clearing a hoarded house, Focusing on keeping things tidy, Hoarding and / or collecting things, Repeating the same activity over and over, symmetrical and orderly, Washing and cleaning endlessly

Our House Clearance Services

We provide a full house clearance and property management solution:

  • We clear hoarded houses, regardless how big or how cluttered
  • We clear all types and sizes of property, irrespective of location, or access is restricted or where parking is difficult or not available.
  • We can help avoid water damage by draining the central heating system.
  • We can secure the property and change the locks.
  • We can reinstate the gardens and maintain them whilst the property is empty.
  • We can provide 24 hour security to eliminate the risk of squatting or unlawful occupation.

As well normal house clearances we specialise in clutter clearance and we can clear a hoarded house which may contain years of accumulated possessions, or which have abnormal amounts of general household items, sometimes as a result of compulsive hoarding syndrome.

Equally we can help to clear a property where the occupants were previously unwell and unable to care for themselves or their property which sometimes results in insanitary, dangerous or just plain unpleasant conditions.

More info

About Richard Farrell

What We Do

Get A Quick Quote

Client Reviews

Jenny Schon
Dec 3, 2021
 by Jenny Schon on Avery Associates
Well done

This truly is a 'one stop shop' for all things relating to Probate valuations and clearance. Jeffrey is a 'facilitator' and full marks to him for finding... Read More

Kevin Anderson
Oct 26, 2021
 by Kevin Anderson on Avery Associates
Fantastic and Reliable

Our aunt was a recluse and hoarder. She died leaving two properties in London that were dilapidated and completely hoarded. Unfortunately, because everything... Read More

It was a pleasure to assist Kevin

T. Hackett
Aug 26, 2021
 by T. Hackett on Avery Associates
1st Class Service

Avery Associates Appraisal I have just moved house after almost 30 years of occupation. My initial choice of movers, Pickfords, decided at the last... Read More

Page 1 of 44:
«
 
‹
 
1
2
3
›
 
»
 

Share, Email or Print

Looking For Something?

Our Latest News & Advice

  • Thought I Had Seen Everything Until I Visited Walsall
  • How to Apply for Probate in England and Wales
  • England’s Ambitious Waste Plan by Jeffrey Avery


Avery Associates
291 Mitcham Rd
Tooting SW179JQ

Tel: 0800 567 7769 or 0208 640 0044

Services provided throughout London and the Home Counties. View our clearance case studies.


Website Terms | Privacy Policy | Sitemap | Copyright © 2005-2018 Avery Associates
Website Development by Avara Web Media