How To Tell If You Are A Hoarder

Published on April 23rd, 2019

Updated on January 6th, 2024

How To Tell If You Are A Hoarder

Hoarding disorder is a disorder in which a person struggles to discard their possessions. It is not unusual for a person to hold onto certain things for sentimental reasons. Sometimes people will hold onto certain belongings in anticipation of needing them one day. These behaviors are typical, and not harmful to a person. It becomes a hoarding issue when the affected person experiences distress at the thought of getting rid of anything.

A person with hoarding disorder will struggle with letting go of anything they own. They accumulate an unhealthy amount of possessions in their home. This habit causes filth, clutter, and a poor quality of life.

A person with hoarding disorder will not only hold onto a few things for sentimental reasons. They will hold onto anything they own. Conditions in the home of a hoarder are deplorable. There will be only small aisles of space to move. There are piles of clutter, garbage, and unusable items stored in every inch of their living space.

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Signs Of A Hoarder

Hoarding disorder is different than a collector or a messy person. A collector has an emotional investment in something specific. They tend to collect with the intention to sell or for genuine interest. Someone who is messy is disorganized and struggles to take the time to keep tidy.

A person with hoarding disorder will be emotionally attached to everything that comes to their possession. This includes (but is not limited to):

Most of the hoarder’s possessions have little to no value. It does not need to be saved, reused, or collected.

The idea of throwing away any item creates great distress for a person with hoarding disorder. Some hoarders can handle throwing away some things, but most cannot change without professional help.

Hoarders may also show certain behaviors, like:

How Someone Becomes A Hoarder

Hoarding disorder tends to affect people who also suffer from another mental health disorder. This is especially prevalent with anxiety disorders and depression. There are different types of anxiety disorders. Having an anxiety disorder increases the risk of developing hoarding disorder.

The following disorders are often found in people who suffer from hoarding:

Those who have a family history of hoarding disorder, OCD, or related disorders are at increased risk of suffering from hoarding disorder.

It is not uncommon for someone who suffers from hoarding disorder to have a history of abuse or trauma. One is also at increased risk if they struggle with managing stress or suffer from unresolved grief.

Treatment for Hoarding Disorder

Most people with hoarding disorder will not seek therapy for their hoarding habits. They are more likely to seek therapy for other issues. These issues typically relate to another mental health disorder that may be affecting the hoarding behavior.

Through exploration of other affecting conditions, a therapist may pick up on the possibility of hoarding habits. A therapist may ask about some of the things the client feels, and how they affect their environment. If the therapist suspects a hoarding issue, they will discuss it with their client.

Sometimes family members of affected people will seek professional help. The family may seek out a therapist to intervene with a suffering loved one.

A person with hoarding disorder is resistant to addressing their living space. Therapists who are trained in hoarding recovery are can best teach the difference between useful and expendable.

It takes a great deal of time and patience to help a person recover from a hoarding disorder. It is not uncommon for a person with hoarding disorder to not make a full recovery.

Treatment for hoarding disorder involves cognitive behavioral therapy. In cognitive-behavioral therapy, an affected person learns how to challenge their hoarding habits. They learn how to think critically about what they keep. This prevents an emotional attachment from imprinting on every material possession.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy teaches coping skills for stress and emotional upset. It also teaches healthy decision-making skills.

Treatment may also include group therapy and family therapy. Family therapy is particularly important and powerful because the family is affected by hoarding. The affected person may lose the support of family and friends without professional intervention. Family therapy helps the family and affected person learn effective communication skills for healing. It teaches boundary-setting skills and how to support a hoarder in recovery.

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