We’re all familiar with the concept of hoarding, and it’s prompted many of our clients at Rubbish Disposal to wonder – am I a hoarder? Well, in the lines below, we take a closer look at hoarding, and at what the tell-tale signs of hoarding might be.
It’s interesting to note that while we’re all more familiar with extreme cases of hoarding, since they’re quite popular on TV, you may still be a hoarder with more mild symptoms. So it’s worth keeping an eye on your habits.
What exactly is hoarding?
Hoarding is basically a condition in which a person acquires a lot of things they have little to no use for. While it’s natural to hold on to some items that have sentimental, or even monetary, value, hoarders take this to new extremes.
Hoarders have an unhealthy tendency of keeping things that are broken or seriously damaged, with the pretense of repairing them someday, or the insistence that they still work.
This usually causes chaos in the hoarder’s living quarters, as little by little, their hoarding habits become unmanageable.
What are the symptoms of hoarding?
Here are some signs that someone might be a hoarder:
- They have a strong attachment to the things they’re hoarding, sometimes up to the point where they won’t even allow other people to handle them;
- Holding on to things they don’t need or even want, truly, when they have very little value;
- Difficulty in organizing the items they’re hoarding – usually, the items they’re hoarding become chaotic, and scattered, causing them difficulty in their day-to-day life;
- It’s hard for hoarders to make a decision, particularly when it comes to decluttering, or throwing away things;
Who is a hoarder?
Anyone can become a hoarder, although people with a family history of hoarding are more prone to hoarding, unfortunately. Other events, such as trauma or significant emotional hardship, can trigger hoarding episodes.
Hoarding has also been associated with some mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, autistic spectrum conditions, and bipolar disorder. However, hoarding is not necessarily a sign of a mental disorder, or issue of any kind. Usually, it is the place of a GP or mental health professional to determine whether or not hoarding is the result of mental illness, or simply a reaction to stress.
What are the negative aspects of hoarding?
The main issue with hoarding is that the objects the sufferer holds on to actually appear to offer some sort of emotional support. The more things a person has, the safer that person feels, even if this safety is, in truth, false.
Hoarding can also heavily impact the person’s living conditions. The space becomes smaller and movement becomes harder. Air quality also decreases progressively as the hoarding worsens. Not to mention that the hoarded objects can pose a fire risk.
What can you do about hoarding?
If you or someone you know is a hoarder, seek help and offer support, if applicable. Don’t barge in attempting to clear out the property, because that will only cause more difficulty. Rather, wait for the appropriate moment.
For more information on a house clearance, please contact Rubbish Disposal on 01708 477375.
