Collecting things is a common hobby for homeowners. But sometimes, collecting can go overboard, and then becomes a behavioral disorder called hoarding. Hoarders have difficulty throwing away things they don’t need. They experience distress at the simple thought of getting rid of things regardless of value. It can create problems with living conditions, especially if they live with other family members.
There are signs you can check to assess and evaluate if you think you or someone else is turning into a hoarder. Read on to learn more about the most common symptoms of hoarding disorder.
Sentimental Attachment
One of the significant reasons a person turns into a hoarder is traumatic experiences related to objects. Some hold on to such things as it gives them comfort. Old toys, clothing, and other knickknacks may symbolize something emotional that causes the owner to feel a particular fondness—more than they do with people. It is often associated with an obsessive-compulsive disorder or OCD. Professionals treat emotional hoarding with cognitive therapy sessions.
Family members can help support the patient by allowing them to sort through their items and contacting companies that offer Same-Day Rubbish Removal services to help dispose of hoarded household junk. This way, they can focus on more important aspects, such as the well-being of the patient.
Distrust Of Others
In general, hoarding can put a strain on relationships—even more, if the hoarder doesn’t like others touching their possessions. They can show signs of anger or frustration for the fear of other people breaking their things.
Hoarders are rather fond of the items they keep. They feel an attachment to clutter for reasons such as being surrounded by it while growing up, or the family’s history of collecting items they don’t need.
Disorganized Lifestyle
A normally functioning person will have no problems doing housework, paying bills, shopping for groceries, keeping schedules, and other household tasks. Hoarders have issues associated with managing their lives. It is due to procrastination, indecisiveness, and distractions, among others. Their attention is focused on acquiring and hoarding things constantly that they forget to perform other essential tasks, such as managing the household.
Running Out Of Livable Space
Hoarders will keep collecting and packing away items without end. Those with extreme hoarding disorders may have trouble throwing away broken appliances and home systems at the cost of their family’s comfort in the household.
They deliberately avoid employing the services of technicians to help fix broken systems as long as they can keep them. These useless items will keep accumulating in the house until there’s no space left for other things. Boxes and packs containing broken and old things will keep occupying the rooms, and the hoarder still won’t mind.
Non-Stop Spending On Bargains And Sales
There’s nothing wrong with saving up on the items you’re planning to buy, but this only applies to useful things you actually need. Hoarders take advantage of promos and discounts as an excuse to accumulate more items that only take up space.
Possessing items gives them joy, and they become incredibly obsessive about the things they own. They will also deny having a hoarding problem and would most likely refuse the help of others.
Withdrawal From Family And Friends
Hoarders always feel the need to gather things, and they become so obsessive that they withdraw from people they know. In extreme cases of hoarding, they feel the need to isolate themselves as they continue to accumulate more things. They begin to feel distrust and become reclusive for the safety of their possessions.
Dangerous Living Conditions
Those with severe cases become neglectful of their hygiene. They don’t bathe, nor keep the house clean anymore. The house becomes too cluttered that rodents and other pests will be scampering about, containers blocking the exits, and dust and allergens start accumulating.
Moreover, crawl spaces will also be neglected. General cleaning and maintenance will be out of the picture. It’s also likely for the basement to be filled with worthless and unhygienic items they cannot throw away. Hoarders at this stage may even collect dangerous flammable chemicals and materials if their mental condition worsens.
The Bottomline
Hoarding may begin as a simple clutter and escalate to something worse. It can be a symptom of other mental disorders such as depression and anxiety. Seeing a professional will help you evaluate if you or your loved one is turning into a hoarder. If someone suspects that you’re turning into one, don’t refuse their help and seek therapy as early as possible.