The number of people who hoard may be larger than you may think. This condition not only affects a hoarder, it affects family, friends, and others. There are several fundamental features of hoarding behavior:
Excessive accumulating
- About 50% of hoarders say they collect free things to an extreme.
- Excessive shopping is a common way that way people who hoard collect things.
- Collecting can happen spontaneously (e.g., packaging or food wrappers that aren’t thrown away).
Trouble throwing things away
- Holding onto things is a key feature of hoarding. Getting rid of things whether it be giving them away, selling, throwing things away, and even recycling is extremely problematic.
- A person who hoards saves things for the same reasons people who don’t hoard do. The most common reason is they don’t want to be wasteful. Other reasons given for saving things include: the items are important, they are information resources, they have sentimental value, and/or they just look or feel good.
- A hoarder may very likely have valuable or useful items but these things might be lost under piles of worthless or worn-out items.
- Often, a person who has hoarded thinks the she or he can dispose of items, but because of the magnitude of the process, it becomes overwhelming and a feeling of being “buried alive” may occur; end result - not doing anything.
- Usual things that are hoarded include books, newspapers, and clothes; however, virtually anything can be hoarded.
Difficulty organizing
- Many people who hoard also struggle with organizational skills.
- In an effort to declutter and organize, it is common for great amounts of time to be spent moving things from one place to another, rather than being disposed of.
Acknowledging there is a problem
- Frequently people who hoard either don’t acknowledge and/or understand the severity of the problem.
In addition, people who hoard may isolate themselves from friends and family because they are ashamed or embarrassed. They often will let the home fall into disrepair because they won’t let people come to fix things.
Who hoards?
According to the International Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Foundation (IOCDF) hoarding which is also referred to as compulsive hoarding may be an indication of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). But not all people with compulsive disorders have problems with hoarding.
Although hoarding can begin in children as young as 13 it usually does not become a severe problem until that person is in their 40’s or 50’s. Hoarding tends to be more common in men. The IOCDF reports that as many as 1 in 20 people may have “significant hoarding problems.” Sometimes a traumatic event such as the death of a loved one possibly can cause an increase the hoarding behavior.
Effects of hoarding
Over time, the effects of hoarding can wreak havoc both emotionally and physically. Regarding the physical effects - a person’s health as well as the house itself may be susceptible. An accumulation of items ranging from trash and old household items, to mold, food, animal waste, and virtually anything else can potentially be the cause of occupants contracting a variety of communicable diseases, viruses and, various other health-related problems.
The physical aspects of the hoarder’s house itself can be at risk as well. One thing to consider is that when there is a hoarding issue there very well may be a problem with rodents such as mice, insects, and other pests. These animals carry disease and pose a huge risk. Odors that result from some of the items or waste materials not disposed of may require a professional odor removal process. In addition, the home may contain various biohazards resulting from the hoarded items which would require professional sanitization of the house.
Moving about the house can be a major concern. There can be so much clutter that a path needs to be built through so occupants can go from one room to the next. However, this can become more dangerous as new clutter or existing clutter falls in the path; the occupant or occupants could slip or fall.. Should a fire or other emergency occur, vacating the house could be impossible.
The structural integrity of the house can be jeopardized due to the sheer weight of the clutter. Floors could collapse. If liquids are among the clutter and/or there are clogged pipes, this can cause a lot of pressure to be put on the floorboards and cause decay.
When a hoarder lives with other people, they too are affected by the above factors. In addition, they may be forced out of their living space or confined to a very small area. Their ability to take care of themselves can be impaired; they may not be able to get to the sink or stove, the plumbing may not be functioning, and/or they may be exposed to unhealthy air.