We attended to a hoarded home the other day, of a chap who moved on to a care home. As usual, we searched for, and removed any personal documents and valuables before we started clearing. After we had emptied the home, the hoarder’s friend asked us, why does a hoarder collect so much stuff? This is what we told them…
Hoarders Have Difficulty Parting With Things
Hoarders are not untidy people, or too lazy to clean up after themselves. They keep things because they honestly believe they need to save them. This belief is so strong and genuine, that they experience distress at the thought of losing their possessions.
This obsession with keeping stuff, whatever it may be, spins out into the cramped conditions most hoarders live in. A friend may be wise to tolerate this situation, unless it becomes unhygienic or dangerous, and the hoarder may need their help.
Once we have our answer as to why does a hoarder collect so many things, we may wonder whether this creeps up on them. In fact, hoarding begins so gently that nobody notices. But the habit can become deeply concerning, as we show in the images that accompany this post.
The Outward Signs of a Hoarding Person
All individuals are different, and that is equally true of hoarders. Therefore, we can only describe the general process here. The signs may be evident in a child’s cupboard with broken toys pushed to the back. Though hoarding is statistically more likely to appear as we age.
Whatever the case, the complete answer to the question why does a hoarder collect, is still up for debate. Perhaps this is because we all accumulate possessions on life’s journey, and it feels good to have them around. There are, however, certain indicators that single out hoarding from clutter:
- Hoarders keep things that they don’t need, even though they have nowhere to store them properly.
- People who hoard have difficulty getting rid of things, even though they have no objective value.
- Hoarders believe that they need to hang on to those things. They become upset at the thought of losing them.
Although hoarding is a defined medical condition, it does overlap with other states. For example, hoarders may delay decisions because they are looking for ideal solutions. They may also have problems with planning and organising, according to Mayo Clinic.
More Challenges Facing Hoarders’ Friends
Friends and family may wonder why does a hoarder collect such a disorganized accumulation of clutter. Even to the extent they cannot use some of their rooms any more:
- Friends may find chaotic piles of newspapers, clothing, paperwork, and books lying everywhere.
- The kitchen, and even the bathroom may be inaccessible, with the plumbing out of order.
- The hoarder may insist on denying other people access, in order to conceal the state of their home.
- But behind closed doors the hoarding may continue, to the extent that even living there becomes dangerous.
People living in hoarded homes tend to withdraw into themselves, and become defensive when anyone else tries to enter. And as a result, their relationships with family and friends can crumble, to the point where they live utterly alone.
A View From Inside a Hoarder’s Mind
If you were to ask a hoarder this question, why does a hoarder collect such rubbish, they might give you a strange look. That could be because they believe that their clutter might prove useful in future. If you delved deeper, you could discover that some of their items are powerful reminders of their past.
Most of us feel safer when when surrounded by our familiar possessions, as opposed to being in a strange environment. There is no reason to believe that hoarders feel any different about their clutter. And besides, we all share a common desire not to waste things.
Hoarders are not untidy people, or too lazy to clean up after themselves. They keep things because they believe they need to save them. This belief is so entrenched that they experience distress at the very thought of losing their clutter. And that, in a nut shell, is why hoarders clutter.
When You Need to Clear a Hoarded Home
Hoarders accumulate things that other people consider trash, because that’s what hoarders do. The obvious next question, of course, is whether we should we do anything about this. Perhaps not, if a hoarder can continue living safely, and the neighbours are not complaining.
However, if this is not the case, then we may have to do something about the situation. But, if we try to clear the clutter ourselves, we may find ourselves working in unhygienic conditions, with the risk of personal harm.
Avery Associates offers a professional home-clearing service for friends and family of hoarders, and executors of deceased estates. We work quietly and unobtrusively in our clients’ best interests. Call Freephone 0800 567 7769 if you would like to know more.
More Information
Rescripting Images and Memories Helps Hoarders
Clearing a Tenant Hoarder House
Massive thank you Jeff, to you and your team for the amazing work in organising a house clearance for me. Such professionalism and respect to the property. I couldn’t have asked for better. Thank you – in a time of panic and madness you made everything calm. Louise
