Many of us hang on to things and memorabilia from the past, but if our homes become overwhelmed with clutter that it becomes detrimental to our health and safety it becomes hoarding. Is hoarding a form of mental illness? LOU LAPSO will try to help you better understand hoarding…
What is hoarding?
Hoarding is a pattern of behavior that is characterized by excessive accumulation and inability or unwillingness to discard large quantities of things that have little or no value leading to clutter that cover the living areas of the home and cause significant distress or impairment.
Hoarding and collecting are different. Collectors look for specific items, such as stamps or toys, and organize or display them. Hoarders save random items and store them haphazardly.
Is hoarding a form of mental illness?
Hoarding was previously considered a subtype or symptom of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) or obsessive compulsive personality disorder. Hoarding was first defined as a mental disorder in the 5th edition of the – Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in 2013 published by American Psychiatric Association
Hoarding is not limited to age, although it is generally found in older individuals. Hoarders will not, freely give up their possessions, however unimportant they are, or how unsafe and unsanitary their environment has become. Without professional help, even if a rubbish removal crew comes in and clean the house, the hoarder will just start to accumulate again until the problem reaches the same level of impending disaster.
Symptoms of hoarding disorder
Not every hoarder will display all the following signs or symptoms that affect emotions, thoughts and behavior. A person who shows several of them should be cause for concern.
- Excessive saving of things that are not significant
- Excessive attachment to possessions
- Inability to discard items
- Difficulty permitting others to touch or move accumulated items
- Extreme clutter blocking doorways, windows and hallways
- Moving items or trash without ever discarding anything
- Organizational difficulty
- Distractibility
- Perfectionism
- Procrastination
- Indecision or trouble making decisions
- Difficulty managing daily tasks
- Limited or poor socialization skills
If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of hoarding disorder, contact your doctor or mental health professional.
Treatments of Hoarding Disorder
There are two main types of treatment that help people with hoarding disorder live safer and more enjoyable lives: cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and medication.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy – CBT is more than just talk therapy. Therapist often visits the hoarder’s home and helps them to think more clearly about their possessions and help them make decisions. They also learn to improve skills such as organization, decision-making, and relaxation.
Medications – Antidepressant medications (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have been shown in research studies to effect improvement in some compulsive hoarders.
If You Are a Hoarder
If you have grown accustomed to stashing things away over the years, to the point where you can’t stand the clutter. Do not beat yourself up over for hoarding, but get help to learn more effective ways of managing your situation. Look up on the internet and read up on hoarding. Experts recommend that you practice doing something every day for at least 10 minutes to help clean up your clutter – regardless of how you feel. Gradually increase that time to a half hour or more. Eventually, you’ll be able to see that you are making progress.
Don’t give up. Seek the help you need, both to organize your home and help gain the skills you need to live a healthier lifestyle. Even if you are overwhelmed and don’t know where to begin, it’s never too late to start the process to change your life.
What to Do about Your Loved One’s Hoarding
There’s no point in arguing over how self-destructive the hoarding behavior is. The best recommendation is to get out of the argument. Engage the person in a discussion about what they would like to see done in their home, what kind of changes they would be willing to or like to make.
If they say they want to clean up the clutter, but refuse to do so, inquire about their long-term goals. Ask them but don’t tell. Strive for gradual change. Professional counseling may be the most effective way in order to sustain the motivation to change and get at the root cause of hoarding.
Hoarding Cleanup Companies and Rubbish Removal
Mountains of clutter may require more effort than the hoarder and his or her family to handle. Just looking at the immense mess is enough to depress most people. There is help in the form of hoarding cleanup companies and rubbish removal like Doyle Bros in Fairfield East, NSW. Once your home is cleaned up it will be safer and healthier for you and much easier to have friends and family ove
