First Step in Stopping Hoarding

The first step in stopping hoarding behavior may be the most obvious--admitting that you have a problem.  It sounds like a rehab program for an addict.  In reality, it is.  Hoarding is an addiction.  It is a behavior that is learned, and can be unlearned.  If you don't think that you are broke, how can you fix yourself?  The hoarder must recognize there is a problem and be willing to correct it.  Denial is a much more comfortable place to be for many people than admitting that they have serious problems.


 Have you been described as being "too sentimental"?
Do you have difficulty finding things you need in your home on a regular basis?
Are you holding onto an excessive amount of items that you don't need or use?
Have you been told that you "have too much junk"?
Do you believe that EVERYTHING has a use, if not for you, then someone else?
Is your home very cluttered?  Maybe just really disorganized?
Are you always bringing more things into your home even if you don't need them?
Can you not let visitors into your home for fear of criticism or shame?

These are some more subtle signs of a hoarder...it should be pretty obvious if you are like any of the reality shows--if the city has fined you or the state removes your relatives from the home due to unsafe conditions, there's no mystery there.

Hoarding involves several factors.  For some, it is as simple as the inability to let go of their items, even if  their "stuff" is useless or not valuable.  The things may have sentimental value, or being kept for a variety of other reasons which seem to have no end.  "I'm saving it for a friend, relative, neighbor, or in case I NEED it later.  Someone can use this.  It's not trash.  It can be recycled.  And many more. Certain personality types are more likely to be hoarders than others.  Even certain professions may require a bit of hoarding. 

These are a few examples of  "Hoarding Pits".

Hoarding pets:  a person feels the need to take of animals because there is no one else to do it, also one who loves animals so much that they can never have too many of them.

Hoarding food:  often goes along with other hoarding, but generally based on fear of not having enough to eat "later on" or spurred by great "deals".

Hoarding collections:  may collect astounding amounts of a particular item or have many collections of different things.

Hoarding art/craft/work items:  you would always keep some things on hand, but there may be a guest bedroom filled up with fabric, a storage place full of craft finds and art possibilities, or a handyman who keeps extra of everything.

Hoarding projects:  ahhh, all those unfinished projects that he/she is going to get around to, someday....

Hoarder shopping:  compulsive shopping, it makes you feel better when you buy something, gives you a rush or comfort.  Ranges from yard sale addicts to the QVC and Ebay junkies. May spend all available money on shopping or run up huge credit debt.

Many hoarders have problems with making decisions, therefore keep the items because they don't know what to do with it.  Many are perfectionists, who will not do the job because it has to be perfect.  Both of these further procrastinations allow the objects to build up until it becomes unmanageable.  The hoarder is overwhelmed with even the simplest task because a simple task is extremely difficult when you can't find what you need or perhaps not even be able to get to your washing machine.

What needs to be realized is that hoarding is a dysfunction, a disorder.  It may be a matter of learned behavior only, a person who has poor disorganization skills or it may be much more complex and tied in to other psychological problems dealing with abandonment or various phobias.  There is some reason behind it, people don't just decide they want to become a hoarder.  Most of them desperately want to stop but are unable.  Pressuring or threatening the hoarder will most likely cause more stress than good.  A hoarder needs to learn correct habits and how to deal with things in their life, not just "get rid of stuff".  It's more than that.

I will write more on this, there is too much to put it all in one post.  My next post will deal with strategies and making realistic decisions.  I will use my home as an example.  This is real. If you are a hoarder, you are not alone.  There are lots of us.  I would love to hear from you if you or a loved one suffers from this condition.  Take care.