A person who hoards compulsively has an abnormal amount of clutter
It’s piled chaotically all over their home. Things can get so bad they can’t use a kitchen or bathroom properly anymore. This can cause friction with other family members, as the situation spins further out of control. We share key things to know about hoarding, in case you find yourself in this situation, and want to know what to do next.
Things That Make Helping Hoarders Tricky
Most hoarders simply do not understand that they have a problem. Every item in their collection is very important to them, and they are determined to hang on to them. Arguably the most important thing to know about hoarding, is to understand that you and they may be talking at cross-purposes.
However, some hoarders do understand they have a problem. Many feel humiliated, embarrassed, or guilty about the state of their home, and they won’t let their friends or relatives enter. But you need to do your best to assist them regardless, and this may include encouraging them to seek medical help.
Understanding The Things That Cause Hoarding
Doctors still do not fully understand what causes hoarding. They know the cause could be severe depression, a severe psychotic disorder such as schizophrenia, or obsessive-compulsive disorder. But they still face this dilemma:
- Some people WITH those conditions DO NOT hoard.
- But some people WITHOUT them still DO hoard.
Therefore, we can only speak of a correlation, as opposed to a direct cause and effect situation.
But not everybody with those conditions becomes a compulsive hoarder. And so the mystery continues why some people hoard without any of these signs. But, we do know their mental state correlates with the following in some cases.
- Living alone and / or being unmarried after a deprived childhood.
- Having a family history of hoarding, or growing up in a cluttered home.
It’s About Beliefs, Not Objective Facts
It is critically important to get a grip on the fact that hoarding is about what people believe, and not some dry scientific theory. You, as friend or family member may believe the situation needs changing. But by the same token your hoarder will have their own strongly-held beliefs.
They may have an obsession that someday they will need the items in their collection. No logic is ever going to unpick that! As the old adage says, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. We are dealing with deep-seated emotions, and there is very little point in attempting to change hoarders’ minds.
Things To Know About Collections And Hoards
Many people in England collect things with value, like postage stamps, war medals, and toy cars. These do not disturb the rhythm of their living. In fact, they add great pleasure to their leisure time. However unlike hoarding, these collections are not higgledy-piggledy and blocking access to rooms. The items are tidily arranged and have value, and that’s the big difference.
Another way to tackle this enigma is to consider the signs and symptoms characterizing the behaviour. People who hoard typically display some of the following, although this is not necessarily the case:
- They keep and collect things that have little or no real value.
- Examples of these include junk mail and shopping bags.
- Hoarders sometimes find it difficult to categorise or organize things.
- They may have difficulty making decisions, and struggle with everyday tasks.
- Hoarders become extremely attached to their items. They don’t lend them out.
- They may have troubled relationships with family members, and end up living alone.
Hoarding can begin as early as mid-to-late teens. Whatever the case, it becomes more obvious as the person ages. Another thing to know about hoarding is their behaviour becomes increasingly entrenched as the years pass.
Fast Forward To The Data Era
Nowadays more and more of us keep virtual possessions in the form of data. These can be images, music, video, sound clips etc. We tend to hang on to these items because they don’t take physical space. However, this kind of hoarding also needs attention if it begins to interfere with a person’s social or medical welfare.
How To Clear a Hoarder’s Home
Perhaps we should have titled this paragraph how NOT to, because there’s no way on earth that we can change a hoarder’s behaviour from outside. We have to use logic to convince them their household needs tidying, and that this inevitably involves removing some of the clutter.
Work together with your hoarding friend or relative, to develop practical tasks that will improve the situation. It is of utmost importance to keep the hoarder onside with you. For if you try to run ahead you may leave the hoarder behind, and they may never be willing to catch up.
Your Take Away: Things To Know About Hoarding
Hoarding is a lifestyle that sometimes becomes too extreme. In the process, the hoarder becomes strongly attached to their possessions. Trying to separate them forcibly is like taking candy from a baby. If you want to help a hoarder, help them to help themselves.
Avery Associates offers a personal 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.
