What is Hoarding?
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To understand hoarding, first, we have to talk about the term “clutter”. It describes the burden of many large, unorganized piles of various items consuming large areas of the home. Clutter fills spaces that would normally not be for storage, such as the floor, furniture, stairs, hallways, or counters.
Hoarding Disorder results when people acquire and resist discarding large quantities of items, and their homes become so cluttered that it impairs their daily life and well-being. People can hoard almost anything imaginable, from newspapers to clothing, food, or even animals. People who hoard place special value on the things they accumulate. What they see as unique or important may look like trash or recyclables to most people. However, hoarding is different from just collecting. Collectors are proud of their possessions and keep them well organized. On the other hand, people who hoard are often ashamed about their affliction and the disorganization it brings to their lives.
The dark side of hoarding
This disorganization can even make the home dangerous. Cluttered bathrooms can prevent people from taking care of themselves, and their hygiene and general health will suffer. Clutter in kitchens can impair a regular, healthy diet. Decaying food can attract rodents, ants, and other unsanitary animals, which adds to the unhealthy environment. A cluttered space also prevents regular home maintenance and often leads to broken home heat and water systems going unrepaired.
People who hoard are often reticent to let others into their homes. They feel embarrassed about their hoarding, and because they do not want people to disturb their possessions. As a result, hoarding frequently leads to significant isolation due to the self-seclusion and because family members do not want to live in a cluttered home space. It can also break up families, ending marriages when spouses have had enough. It may cause custody and visit complications if the courts determine the affected person’s home is not safe for kids.