Compulsive hoarding in London and across the UK is a very serious condition which affects many people. As a London house clearance company we have seen many cases of hoarding, and it is often characterised by the manic collecting of items, many of which other people would describe as rubbish.
Now it has been claimed that hoarding may actually be quite similar to the practice of couponing, which is very popular in the USA.
This article in KFOR News suggests that, although the two compulsions are different, they might not be so different after all.
Coupon hoarders use their hoarded coupons to purchase huge amounts of groceries and other household items, often for very cheap prices. It is like a hobby, and many of the people who are keen on it end up donating a lot of their collections to charities.
But although they often give their collections away, as opposed to hoarders who keep hold of their collections and are very protective, the article quotes a psychologist, Linda Neal, who says that they may not actually be so different.
She says that although there are clear differences, one being that hoarders are often not organised at all whereas couponers are very organised, the similarity is that both sets of people become excited at the prospect of adding to their collections.
She suggests that there is something missing in both hoarding victims and extreme couponers. Whereas hoarders may act out of loneliness, couponers also have something missing which compels them to collect.
A balance is apparently what is necessary for couponers. Although the basic principle of saving money and getting things for cheaper is not bad at all, when it becomes more extreme then it may start to interfere with other aspects of life.
We provide house clearances for cases of compulsive hoarding, as well as any type of property clearance you need. For confidential advice call Jeffrey Avery on 0800 567 7769
