A person with hoarding disorder has a hard time getting rid of or letting go of their stuff because they feel compelled to keep them. Hoarding disorder sufferers find it difficult to let go of their possessions. There is an overabundance of possessions, regardless of their true monetary value. It is common for hoarders to live in limited quarters, with only a few small passageways among piles of debris. Almost every flat surface in the house is clogged with clutter, including cabinets, sinks, stoves, desks, and stairways. The mess may expand outside the home as well if there isn’t enough space inside. Intensities of hoarding range from mild to severe. While hoarding may not have a significant impact on your everyday life in some circumstances, in others, it can have a significant impact on your ability to function. Treatment for hoarding disorder is made more difficult by the fact that the person suffering from it may not recognize that they have a problem. When a person with hoarding disorder receives extensive therapy, they might learn new coping mechanisms that enable them to lead a more normal, happy life.
Can you tell if someone is a hoarder?
Early signs and symptoms of hoarding disorder include accumulating an excessive amount of possessions, a gradual build up of clutter in one’s living area, and trouble letting go of things. When a person reaches an advanced age, it is common for them to begin collecting things for which they have no immediate need or vaule. Symptoms can become more severe and difficult to cure in middle age. Hoarding issues emerge slowly over time and are usually confined to the home. By the time it reaches the attention of others, a large amount of clutter has grown.
Signs and symptoms
- Obsessively buying things that are unnecessary or take up too much room.
- Inability to part with possessions, regardless of their actual value, regularly
- A strong desire to preserve these items and apprehension about throwing them away.
- Clutter accumulation to the point of making spaces useless
- Indecisiveness, perfectionism, avoidance, procrastination, and issues with planning and organizing are all characteristics of those who are prone to these traits.
Those with hoarding disorder tend to keep things because for the following reasons:
- As far as they’re concerned, this is the only way to get it.
- Emotional importance is attached to the goods, which may be a remembrance of happier times or represent a beloved person or pet.
- When they’re surrounded by the items they’ve saved, they feel more secure.
In the end, they don’t want to waste a drop of effort.
The link between Hoarding and having no immediate family
Hoarding disorder has no known source. There are theories that genetics, brain functioning, and traumatic life events could be to blame. Age 11 to 15 is when hoarding tends to begin, and it gets worse with time. Hoarding is more widespread among the elderly than in the general population of any other age group.
However, some reasons for the coming about of hoarding include these.
A result of an upsetting life event
Among the many available reasons, this is the most applicable. It explains the link between having no immediate family especially if they passed on or abandoned the person making them feel lonely. Most people develop hoarding disorder as a result of an upsetting life event like the death of a loved one, a divorce, being evicted, or having all of their goods destroyed in a fire. When it comes to hoarding, there is an element of loss and heartbreak in filling one’s life with material possessions. People may turn to soothing objects to fill the hole in their lives when they are unable to surround themselves with close friends and relatives. Studies have shown that loneliness is one of the key elements that cause hoarding to occur. As the emptiness grows, so does the mountain of objects. If you or someone you know suffers from any of the aforementioned conditions, it may be worthwhile to investigate whether loneliness is a contributing factor. The secret to unlocking their healthy mind may lie in addressing inner loneliness.
Childhood experiences
Hoarding may be linked to childhood trauma, such as losing or not having one’s belongings, or being neglected. Experiences such as the following may fall under this category: Being deprived or mistreated – for example, if your basic needs were not satisfied, or you weren’t treated warmly or supportively – money problems and living in poverty having your stuff removed or thrown away.
Personality
Indecisiveness is a common personality trait among those suffering from hoarding disorder.
History of the family
Having a hoarding disorder family member increases your risk of developing the condition yourself. A recent study found that as many as 85% of those with compulsive hoarding can think of at least one family member. People who are hoarders often have a history of being raised in cluttered environments, so they find solace in the mess. Many persons who hoard share this with family members, such as a parent or sibling. Some research suggests that this could be linked to a common ancestor’s DNA or a genetic predisposition to hoarding. A more complicated web of relationships than just blood relations and common living spaces may also play a role. There are many ways in which you may have picked up habits and behaviours from your parents or caregivers, such as how to organize your home and your possessions. If you share a house with someone who also hoards, your home may end up being much more cluttered. If you and your partner can’t agree on what to keep and what to toss, making changes can be very difficult.
Other causes
The following mental health issues are common in people with hoarding disorder:
- Depression
- Anxiety disorders are a type of mental illness.
- Disorder of obsessive-compulsive tendencies (OCD)
- Bipolar disorder
- Disorder of attention-deficit/hyperactivity (ADHD)
Is hoarding preventable?
There is no known technique to prevent hoarding disorder because of the lack of knowledge about what causes it. However, dealing with a hoarding problem can help prevent it from worsening. If you are in need of House Clearance for a property that has been occupied by a hoarder and is need of a complete clean, contact National Clearances, a nation wide reaching company who have many years experience when dealing with hoarders.