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.
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.
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.
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.