Recognizing and Understanding Hoarding Disorder

Hoarding disorder is a mental health condition that goes beyond just having too much clutter. It is characterized by an uncontrollable need to continually accumulate things to the point where they invade your living space and make it cramped and unusable.

A hoarder finds safety in the hoard, in the stacks and piles, and he or she will grieve over the loss of those items when they are gone. – Matt Paxton

In extreme cases, items may be piled floor to ceiling, making it difficult to move through rooms, prepare food, or even take a shower. Yet even just the thought of parting with any of it can lead to extreme emotional distress.

In addition to creating a safety hazard, this ever-increasing accumulation of possessions can harm your health, relationships, and ability to function normally in your day-to-day life.

Difference Between Hoarding and Collecting

Hoarding and collecting are both characterized by acquiring possessions, but they are done for different intentions and purposes.

Hoarders typically accumulate large amounts of random items in an impulsive, unorganized way; have difficulty parting with any of it, even when they run out of living space; and may feel embarrassed or ashamed to have people over because of the cluttered condition of their home.

Collectors, on the other hand, intentionally and purposefully search out specific items they can enjoy, eventually pass down to loved ones, or sell at a profit, and they take pride in keeping their collections organized and displayed for others to admire.

Symptoms Of Hoarding Disorder

Common symptoms of hoarding disorder include

• Saving an excessive amount of random items
• Difficulty disposing of useless or unusable things such as old newspapers, magazines, junk mail, boxes, or broken tools
• Worrying about running out of things
• Continuing to accumulate stuff even when there is no more space to store it
• Buying or keeping items you have no use for because you think some day you might
• Losing important objects in the disorderly piles of clutter
• Getting more pets despite lacking adequate space for them or being able to provide them with the necessary nutrition and care to keep them healthy
• Being disorganized and not knowing where to put things
• Having so many possessions, your home is unmanageable

Dangers Of Hoarding

Hoarding can take over your life, restrict your ability to perform basic hygiene and self-care practices, lead to pest infestation, and cause work performance and personal relationships to suffer.

Piles of possessions blocking doorways, hallways, and exits may make it difficult to navigate around your home; lead to an increased risk of tripping, falling, or being trapped or injured by falling items; create a fire hazard in the kitchen; and prevent first responders from accessing rooms if there is an emergency.

Help for People Suffering from Hoarding Disorder

Hoarding disorder is a complex issue that is difficult to treat because hoarders often don’t see their behavior as a problem or may lack awareness of how it is affecting their lives and the lives of the people living with them. If, however, a hoarder has a desire to change, there is hope and help available.

Make a list of pros and cons

The first step to recovery is to admit and accept that you have a problem and be willing to reach out for help and support. If you are on the fence because change feels scary or overwhelming, make a list of the pros and cons of changing your hoarding behavior, as well as what your life is likely to look like in the future if you continue to hoard, versus what it might look like if you do not.

Consider counseling

Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most widely used intervention for hoarding disorder. Its focus is on helping you identify, understand, and address the thought patterns and beliefs that are at the roots of your need to hoard objects; improve your decision-making and organizational skills; resist urges to get more stuff; learn to discard unnecessary items with less distress; and teach you strategies for avoiding clutter.

Another effective counseling technique is Motivational Interviewing, which is a guided intervention that helps you explore your mixed feelings about hoarding, see the gap between your current circumstances and your personal goals and values, find your own internal motivation to change, and boost your confidence in your ability to make said change.

Take small steps

To avoid feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of clearing and organizing your home, break tasks down into smaller, more manageable steps. Instead of trying to declutter a whole room or closet, for instance, set a specific goal such as setting a timer for 10 or 15 minutes, and tackling one drawer or one small pile.

Start with the easier things to discard

Make a list of items you have been hoarding and rank them from 1 (easiest to discard) to 10 (hardest). Starting with the easiest items can help you build tolerance to discarding things as you gradually move up to higher-ranked possessions.

Join a support group

A support group is a safe space where you can connect with others who are facing the same challenges as you are and understand what you are going through firsthand. It is also a good place to learn new coping tips and find someone to pair up with who can help you stay on track.

Biblical Perspective on Hoarding

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. – Matthew 6:19-20, NIV

Material possessions do not last, and hoarding can distract you from what truly matters by causing you to prioritize what is temporary over lasting spiritual treasure. Jesus warns against this and exhorts us instead to store up treasures in heaven.

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. – John 6:35, NIV

Hoarding stems from a fear of lack. Worrying that you will never have enough, leads to anxiety and emotional distress. On the other hand, trusting in God to provide for your needs instead of in your own hopeless efforts to do so through hoarding leads to peace.

One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. – Proverbs 11:24, NIV

Learning to be generous and give freely breaks the cycle of hoarding and helps shift your focus from material possessions to the joy of giving, which will enrich your life and provide a sense of fulfillment and contentment you can never get from hoarding.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. – Psalm 23:1, ESV

Hoarding shows a lack of faith in God’s ability to provide. Psalm 23:1 reassures us that we do not have to hoard possessions out of a fear of scarcity, because God will take care of our needs.

Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil. – Proverbs 15:16, NIV

The Bible warns against the turmoil that excessive accumulation of possessions can bring.

Peace comes from living simply, being content with what we have, and focusing on what truly matters, rather than on stockpiling more.

Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too, is meaningless. – Ecclesiastes 5:10, NIV

Life is about more than your material possessions. Focusing on acquiring more and more keeps you from enjoying the blessings of the present moment.

Next Steps

If you would like to set up a risk-free appointment to meet with one of the faith-based counselors at our location, please give us a call.