Sometimes clutter isn’t just clutter.
Behind closed doors, hoarding is a hidden struggle that affects an estimated 2-5% of the UK population. But what is hoarding, and how is it different from just being messy?
Hoarding Disorder – According to House Clearance Professionals
Hoarding is recognised as a mental health disorder in which a person collects a large number of items and struggles to organise them or part with them. Over time, this can build up into an overwhelming amount of clutter in their living space, often made up of items that have little to no monetary value.
Unlike simple untidiness and difficulties in decluttering, hoarding is persistent and compulsive. A major symptom of hoarding is the difficulty discarding possessions, with many people experiencing significant distress at even the thought of throwing away items.
Why Do People Hoard?
There isn’t one real cause for why people suffer from hoarding difficulties. Hoarding disorder may be triggered by:
Stressful life events: Experiences such as the death of a loved one or trauma might trigger hoarding behaviour.
Mental health conditions: Hoarding has been linked to other conditions such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD. Other mental disorders such as anxiety, personality disorders, attention deficit hyper activity disorder (ADHD), and depression have also been associated with hoarding.
Fear of Loss: Some people hoard because they worry they might need the item in the future, which triggers the need to save possessions.
Identity: The things we own make up part of who we are as individuals. For someone who hoards, throwing things away can feel like sacrificing part of their identity.
Hoarding Difficulties
The problem with hoarding is that it doesn’t just affect the individual. Hoarding can affect impact relationships, animals, and even public health.
Health and Safety: The build up of items can increase the risk of fires, injury, and poor sanitation. It can also lead to pest infestations.
Animal Welfare: Hoarding disorder can also include the hoarding of animals, which can create concerns for pets.
Isolation and Loneliness: Hoarding often causes problems in relationship, making it a lonely disorder. Family and friends may not understand the hoarding problem.
Mental Health problem: Many people with hoarding disorders may not see it as a problem. They may not notice they have hoarding symptoms and may argue with family who confront them. This can make getting help difficult.
Difficulty Getting Rid of Items: A core symptom is the struggle parting with clutter. This can lead to an accumulation of possessions and the individual may be unable to use their home fully.
Seeking Help
If you think you may be affected by hoarding disorder, or if someone you know hoards, it’s important to seek help and reduce the distress that can come with the treatment of hoarding disorder.
Qualified mental health professionals can help with the diagnosis of hoarding disorder. They are also trained in the treatment of hoarding disorder. The treatment for hoarding disorder can include therapy such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). This can be a useful strategy to help people who hoard understand why they do it and develop strategies to help make decisions about their belongings.
If you suspect animal hoarding, make sure to notify local animal welfare agencies.
Once the disorder has been managed, professional junk removal companies that also understand people who hoard can help with the removal of clutter. Junk removal companies can help with house clearances. Importantly, they do this with care and understanding to minimize distress for everyone.
Hoarding may be difficult. But with the right help and support, it can be managed!
Learn more about why household clearances matter and how they can play an important role in supporting recovery from hoarding.
Here at Junk-It, we are always happy to help with any kind of junk removal. Feel free to reach out to our supportive team today.
