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What are the Symptoms of Hoarding?

B. Miller
B. Miller

The symptoms of hoarding usually begin when a person finds it difficult to throw any items away. This may often include trash or other useless items, such as old newspapers, junk mail, magazines, or even cans, bottles, or food storage containers. Hoarders do not always hoard trash, however, and symptoms of hoarding may also include the extreme acquisition of items that are not really needed, which may include clothing, shoes, accessories, items for the home, or books, just to name a few. The person who is hoarding will then find it difficult or impossible to part with any of these items, even as they continue to pile up.

The excessive acquisition of new items and a refusal to throw anything away are the most common symptoms of hoarding. Generally, a person's home will begin to look disorganized and cluttered. Closets and shelves will fill up with items, which will then usually spill out onto any clean surfaces, such as tables, counters, and furniture. Symptoms of hoarding may include creating stacks and piles of items in different rooms; rather than cleaning or throwing items away, the person who is hoarding may simply transfer items from one pile to another.

Excessive shopping can be part of obsessive-compulsive hoarding.
Excessive shopping can be part of obsessive-compulsive hoarding.

One of the other symptoms of hoarding is that the person who is collecting items may not want to invite others into his or her home, and may not feel comfortable letting a friend borrow anything. People who hoard generally feel extremely attached to their possessions, and may feel that they provide a source of comfort. This is especially true of elderly people who do not wish to leave their homes. People who have started hoarding often begin to withdraw socially, and may not want to go out with friends, for example.

There are various treatment options that may help manage compulsive hoarding.
There are various treatment options that may help manage compulsive hoarding.

Other symptoms of hoarding may affect additional areas of one's life. People who hoard their possessions may have difficulty staying organized in other places, such as at work, which can negatively impact one's employment. They may find it difficult to make decisions as well, or begin displaying extreme perfectionism and an inability to get things finished to their high standards. Some people may even begin to hoard pets, though this is less common.

Someone who is a hoarder may spend a lot of time at rummage sales.
Someone who is a hoarder may spend a lot of time at rummage sales.

The symptoms of hoarding are frequently first recognized by friends or family members, though the person who is hoarding will often realize that he or she has a problem as well. Sometimes, people are able to stop hoarding and, with hard work, begin to go through their possessions and discard unnecessary items. Frequently, however, psychological treatment is required to overcome this type of compulsive hoarding, and the help of a professional organizer can also be invaluable.

Discussion Comments

golf07

What I am most surprised at when I have seen pictures of a hoarders home is the kind of items they do not throw away. Many of the things are just trash that don't have any value whatsoever.

It can be hard for many people to understand someone with a hoarding disorder. It is easy for me to look at it and just see it as junk that needs to be thrown away, but they have emotional attachments to them that most people find hard to understand.

andee

For someone who struggles with a little bit of clutter in their home, it can be hard to understand the mind of a hoarder. Thankfully, there is good hoarding treatment available for those who struggle with this, but it is very hard to get someone to admit they have this problem.

The treatment can be very tough on them as they are working through layers of emotional issues that they didn't even realize they had. If a person is going through this treatment, it helps if they have a strong, understanding support system. Many times they have isolated themselves from friends and family and they may not accept this very easily, but can make a difference in whether their treatment is successful or not.

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    • Excessive shopping can be part of obsessive-compulsive hoarding.
      By: Odua Images
      Excessive shopping can be part of obsessive-compulsive hoarding.
    • There are various treatment options that may help manage compulsive hoarding.
      By: Phase4Photography
      There are various treatment options that may help manage compulsive hoarding.
    • Someone who is a hoarder may spend a lot of time at rummage sales.
      By: chantal cecchetti
      Someone who is a hoarder may spend a lot of time at rummage sales.