Symptoms of hoarding disorder typically include resistance to clearing, or disposing of accumulated possessions. The causes are usually a conviction to save this personal property for some future use. This article addresses the symptoms and causes of hoarding disorder, and aims to provide a broad, helpful overview.
Consequences of Uncontrolled Hoarding
Almost without exception, we have limited space in our homes. Hoarding behaviour, taken to extremes, can take over this available space, so that moving through it can become hazardous. There may only be narrow pathways remaining through the clutter, so we have to move around carefully.
Every available surface – including the bathroom and kitchen – may be stacked high with hoarded items overflowing from cupboards. Hoarders’ friends, and hoarders themselves, may not understand the symptoms and causes of hoarding disorder unfolding before their eyes.
Symptoms and Extent of Hoarding Disorder
The range and severity of hoarding disorder varies from case to case. Although the situation usually progressively deteriorates in the absence of any third party interventions.
Such interventions should begin with skilled counseling, although persuading hoarders to participate is often a long and winding road. It can take quite some time to secure participation, if at all.
Signs of Hoarding in Someone You Know
The symptoms and causes of hoarding disorder quite often surface during adolescence, and early adulthood. Those affected by this condition start accumulating possessions, although these may not reach the stage of actual clutter for a while.
A tendency not to get rid of things in young adulthood, may become more extreme in middle life. Perhaps this is because the young hoarder should have achieved greater autonomy by that point. The clutter may become overwhelming at this stage of the syndrome, raising health and safety concerns.
However, in many cases the syndrome worsens, without friends and family members noticing. This may be because hoarders conceal their behaviour from others because they fear criticism. The almost inevitable impact on their lifestyle may include the following:
- A disorganized home with piles of cardboard, packets, boxes and more stacked chaotically everywhere.
- Clutter partly blocking exits, including inter-leading doors and staircases, and obstructing easy movement through the home.
- An accumulation of leftover food, and garbage waiting to be cleared, creating unsanitary living conditions.
- A general breakdown in relationships with other residents, and severed communications with friends and family members.
The symptoms and causes of hoarding disorder may vary case by case. However, the inevitable consequences will be a combination of some of the above.
More Reasons for Hoarders Accumulating Clutter
Many hoarders genuinely believe their clutter is unique, and will find a useful purpose in due time. They feel ownership over it, because they believe it is special, and may also remember collecting it.
The items give them a sense of stability, comfort, and safety. Their presence satisfies a natural need never to waste anything. So in a way, hoarding gives the person with the syndrome a feeling that everything is going according to plan.
So Hoarders Are Just Glorified Collectors?
No, not at all! Collectors proudly display their rare items to others. Hoarders may believe their clutter is irreplaceable too, but they have no interest in showing it off.
Collections can be extensive, but the items are not cluttered. Although there may a be a degree of obsession. But perhaps the biggest difference is collectors know how, and when, to stop.
Personal Reasons for Hoarding Disorder
Hoarding is not something that people wake up in the morning, and decide to do. To the contrary, all hoarders have at least one of the following in common, from adolescence through to old age:
- A pattern of behaviour that includes trouble making decisions and problems with attention, organization and problem-solving.
- Family history that includes a family member who displayed the symptoms, and causes of hoarding disorder.
- A stressful event in their past, that makes life difficult to cope with, for example losing a partner through death or divorce.
Prevent Hoarding With the Right Help
It’s a tempting thought, especially if something we wrote here reminded you of someone you know, or perhaps even yourself. The truth of the matter is we know so little about the dynamics of the condition, to even think about preventing it.
However, we do know that hoarding disorder is a mental condition in its own right. And that the right medical professional could be able to prevent a case developing further.
Help to Clear a Hoarded Home
We hope you understand the symptoms and causes of hoarding disorder a little better, now you have read our article. It’s a complex topic that may take a while to get your mind around.
Avery Associates could help you clear a hoarded home for a surprisingly low fee, if you have reached the planning stage. Please follow this link to learn more about our services, or contact us here if you have decided to go ahead.
More Information
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Great service from Jeff, he was fair with pricing, and did an amazing job with the clearance of my great uncles flat. Will definitely use again in the future. Jim
