Overcoming Compulsive Hoarding
81Are you a hoarder or do you know someone who is? If so, don't feel alone. Although once unrecognized, nowadays, most of us have been introduced to the problems of compulsive hoarding through the media. Approximately, 2 million people suffer from compulsive hoarding and between 5% to 7% of the population have hoarding tendencies. In fact, compulsive hoarding is the third reason for eviction following non-payment of rent and substance abuse.
The Life of a Compulsive Hoarder
What is Compulsive Hoarding
Compulsive hoarding is marked by several characteristics. First, they have uncontrollable urges to excessively buy or acquire often unnecessary items. Secondly, they have an inability to discard of these items. Finally, their hoarding behavior interferes with activities of daily living and personal relationships since they no longer have any room in their house. Beds and furniture may be so cluttered with items, they cannot be used. In some cases, only pathways are available through the house because so much clutter exists.
Symptoms of Compulsive Hoarding
The symptoms of compulsive hoarding can vary from person to person. Symptoms may be:
- Saving items others view as worthless or unneeded
- Compulsive buying
- Perfectionism
- Poor decision-making and organization skills
- Procrastination and avoidance
- Slow to complete tasks
- Believing all items are equally valuable regardless of the value
- Rationalizing the compulsive buying or saving activities
- Inability to use household items because of excessive clutter
- Significan't deterioration in housekeeping because the excessive clutter.
What Causes Compulsive Hoarding
Although many people confuse compulsive hoarding with laziness or slobbiness, it is actually a psychological disorder. Currently, there is no listing for compulsive hoarding in the DSM. Instead, it is considered a symptom or subtype of OCD. Approximately, 20% of those with OCD are compulsive hoarders, too. Furthermore, there are differences between those with compulsive hoarding in comparison to those with non-hoarding ODC.
A complex and multi-facted disorder, compulsive hoarding may have several different factors. These factors may be:
- Genetics - Children of hoarders are more likely to be hoarders. One study found that genetics contribute to at least half of compulsive hoarding problems. A study revealed a region on chromosome 14 appeares to be linked with compulsive hoarding. Modeling and conditioning by the parents in childhood may also play a role.
- Age - Compulsive hoarding is more common in the elderly, especially in those who are isolated. However, it is unknown whether isolation contributes to it or is a result of it.
- Sex - More men are compulsive hoarders than women.
- Loss and abandonment - Compulsive hoarding may be associated with loss and abadonment. They may be trying to fill gaps in their lives with material possessions.
- Differences in the brain - Patients with compulsive hoarding not only metabolize glucose differently in the brain, the brains of compulsive hoarders are actually different. In comparison to normal people, researchers have found differences in the vental and medial prefrontal cortical areas of the brain. These areas of the brain influence decision-making, attention, and emotional regulation.
- Associated with other psychologica disorders - Although compulsive hoarding is associated with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Generalized Anxieity Disorder the most frequently, it is also associated with other psychological disorders. These disorders may include depression, dysthymia, agoraphobia, social and specific phobias,panic disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, trichotellomania, compulsive gambling, compulsive buying, bipolar II disorder, personality disorders, pathological grooming disorders, and hypochondria.
- Depression
Because of excessive acquistion and the inability to discard of items, a visciousl circle develops. Compulsive hoarders either have uncontrollable urges to buy or acquire things they don't need or more than they need. They may acquire items because they are fearful of not having enough, or subconsciously, they may be trying to fill an emptiness in their life. Over time as possessions accumulate, they run out of room to store them. Unlike other people, discarding items may cause anxieity for a couple of reasons. First, they fear they may run out of something or not have enough, Secondly, they may become overly attached to items. Third, they may subconsciously use the items to fill gaps in their lives. These erroneous beliefs about their possessions combined with perfectionistic qualities and poor decision-making skills make it difficult to get rid of items and cause anxiety. When it comes to getting rid of the excess clutter, they're unable to make a decision in case they make a mistake and need it later on. Some hoarders even feel wasteful if they discard items. Consequently, unless they can do the task perfectly, they procrastinate and don't make any decisions about what to get rid of. Their home becomes uninhabitable, and they are further overwhelmed. If they are aware they have a problem, it leads to shame and isolation since they don't want anyone to see the state of their house. Even people who aren't compulsive hoarders have problems with clutter. According to the Ottawa Citizen, "Getting rid of excess clutter would eliminate 40% of houework in the average home, and 80% of the clutter in most homes is a result of disorganization, not a lack of space.
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Are you a Packrat or a Hoarder?
Do you have excessive clutter in your home? Do you wonder if you're a packrat or a hoarder? The online WebMD has three questions to ask yourself to decide:
- Are your belongings interfering with your daily living activities?
- Are your belongings interfering with your relationships?
- Are your belongings causing distress for your loved ones?
If you answered yes to all three questions, you are a hoarder.
Books on Compulsive Hoarding
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Overcoming Compulsive Hoarding
Medications
Traditionally, there are two forms of treatment, anti-ODC medications and cognitive behavioral therapy. They can be used as a stand-alone treatment or in conjunction with each other. The medications prescribed for compulsive hoarding are usually serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Although some experts believe they are effective in treating compulsive hoarding, others don't. One problem with using medications for compulsive hoarding is non-compliance. Patients may be ambivalent about taking the medication since they have poor insight and don't believe they have a problem. Furthermore, anti-ODC meds reduce anxieity. Since compulsive hoarders may not recognize they have a problem or use strategies like rationalization and avoidance to reduce anxiety, the medications may seem like they havie no effect. Even if they are motivated to change, they may lose medications in the cluttered environment, forget to take them on time, or fail to refill the prescription.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy is based on the idea that our thoughts cause our feelings and behavior. Treatment should focus on decreasing the urge to acquire, decreasing clutter, improving decision-making skills, and increasing organizational skills. Simalarily, cognitive behavioral therapy doesn't work well either. First, it is a labor-intensive and time consuming therapy. The therapy techniques are based on exposure. Exposure extinguishes a behavior over time. Step by step, they work on reducing anxiety and eliminating a behavior. For example, a patient may go to a store without going in first. The next time a patient may enter the store without being allowed to look at anything. In the next step, a patient may go into the store and be allowed to browse but not purchase anything. Hopefully, over time, the anxiety associated with acquiring things will be reduced.
Overcoming compulsive hoarding is difficult. Unfortunately, there are several problems with cognitive behavioral therapy too. First, for therapy to be effective, a patient has to admit they have a problem. Although some patients with compulsive hoarding realize they have a problem, others have poor insight about their problem or rationalize and justify their behavior. Secondly, a patient has to be motivated to change. Many patients drop out of therapy prematurely.
Overcoming compulsive hoarding is a diifficut for the compulsive hoarder and loved ones living with them. Discarding of unnecessary items can create great anxiety for compulsive hoarders, and their home environment can become inhabitable. Since many hoarders have poor insight into their problem, they either don't think they have a problem, or they rationalize it. Therefore, if you know a compulsive hoarder, the best advice in working with them is to focus on how the clutter affects their life rather than discarding items. If you focus on discarding items rather than how the clutter affects their life, they will just replace the discarded items with new items. Trust in a counseling relationship is very important to a successful outcome. Overcoming compulsive hoarding is possible, but the patient has to have insight into their problem, be willing to admit they have a problem, and be motiviated to change.
Help I'm a Hoarder, Part I
Help I'm a Hoarder, Part II
Help I'm a Hoarder, Part III
Help I'm a Hoarder, Part IV
Help I'm a Hoarder, Part V
Help, I'm a Compulsive Hoarder, Part VI
Please Share Your Thoughts, Ideas, and CommentsLoading...
I feel sorry for your mom. It sounds like a miserable way to live --- never having any room and always trying to figure out where to store things. Thanks for commenting and stopping by, Fishskinfreak.
My Mom (like fishskinfreak) belonged to the hoarder's category. I'm happy that I don't have that in me. Very interesting read.
Hi Anjalichugh
I am sorry you had to grow up in that enviornment. It must have been difficult. Tonight while I was browsing the net, I ran across a vidotape series on compulsive hoarding on the A&E network. One couple got their children taken away from the home. You could tell how hard it affected her. She was embarrassed to have anyone see her living environment. She finally realized she had a problem, but it is so difficult for them to throw things away, the task of cleaning up her home or even let other people help was overwhelming for her. I truly felt for her. I am glad you enjoyed the article. Thank you for your input and stopping by.
I grew up in a broken family as have so many others, and as early as I can remember I began surrounding myself in stuff to help feel better, As I got older and married, I began taking over our house with MY THINGS, my poor husband had very little space to truly call his own. As our famiuly began to increase in size from 2 children,now teens to having a third child and then a set of twins. I began to realize my compulsion with stuff had taken over our lives,and my inability to let go of what I deemed valuable, whether that be cash value or emotional attachment, memories, keepsakes, get to later piles and bags. I have literally taken every sq. inch of space with things. When what matters the most to me shouldnt be the stuff. It is truly my family, my husband and our children will and should always be the center of my universe, I want to surround myself with my family, but the stuff definately gets in the way of my peace,contentment and motivation, to make it happen. I recently lost a good friend of mine in an unfortunate accident and lost my mother to cancer she suffered years of depression anxiety issues and OCD herself, tho not a hoarder, she loved to shop and found value in everything. I was recently shared my secret of being a hoarder with my doctor and she perscribed Zoloft I am curious what types of meds are perscribed for this type of disorder and success rates. thanks so much any info would be appreciated
Hi Timetobefree
First let me say, I am so sorry about the loss of your friend and mother. Secondly, compulsive hoarding is nothing to be ashamed about as we have all our problems. You are way ahead of others with the problem because you have insight that you have a problem and recognize you should make a change. In answer to your question, the current medication treatment for this problem is serotonin reuptake inhibitors. Examples of these would be Celexa, Lexapro,Prozac, Luvox, Paxil, and Zoloft. So, your doctor is right on target. To understand how they work, there is a good article at http://www.nmhct.nhs.uk/Pharmacy/moa-ssri.htm. God bless you! Thank you so much for sharing with others and commenting!
I forgot to answer part of your question on the success rate. In one case study, only 1 in 18 patients treated with this type of medication had an adequate response while 9 had no response. You can read the article here http://focus.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/content/full However, keep this in mind, from other articles I have researched, part of the problem seems to be medication compliance. Either they won't admit they have a problem, or they are not good at taking the medications. In your case, you are willing to admit a problem, and you are taking your med. Therefore, try the Zoloft for awhile and see how it works. If it is not working, see your doctor again.
Thanks Seamist, for the response, I appreciate your thoughts and the web links. I do find myself eager to do the clearing of stuff. I get going, only to find myself, pondering over some item thinking up some rational excuse in my mind to justify keeping it. This process of elimination slows me to a point of overwhelmingness. I not only get discouraged, and lose my focus, but I am emotionally drained afterwards. I know it is all just stuff, but why am I so attached to it? Honestly some paper I scribbled a number on but can barely make out the name of the person. Why would I not throw that away? It is as if some kind of fear gets triggered in me, I will suddenly aquire the need to contact the person in the future, like I will get some memory light that will just flicker in my head 3 years from now and I will remember who's name and number it is. It's truly absurd the thinking the lack of rationalism. I see myself going through a container full of odds and ends and stuffing it into another drawer. I just move things from one spot or room to another. I wish I could understand what stops people like myself from just letting go, Attachment and the seperation anxiety that goes along with it, is far more difficult then parting with the items I am sure. Perhaps its the fear of taking risks. But I am a very adventurous person outside of my home, I am a very different person outside my comfort zone, Kind of ironic as the comfort zone is actually stressful, discouraging, non motivational, and smothering. I don't think it is as important to me to know why I have aquired this disorder as much as it is important to regain control and live my life free of the madness of clutter.
Hi Timetobefree
I was happy to you came back for the information. Believe me, when I say I understand, at least somewhat. Although I don't fit all the criteria for a compulsive hoarder, I have some of the problems. I understand being sentimentally attatched to something and not getting rid of it even though I can't use it at the time. For instance, several years ago I lived in a big home with living room and a huge family room.
When I used to live in Alaska, I bought six Alaska theme prints, by Doug Linden, a famous Alaskan artist. I had them all framed, and when I lived in the bigger house I had all of them hanging in the family room. Now I live in a small mobile home, and there is no wall space for them. So they are packed away in a box. I keep hoping one day I will have a bigger home to display them, but I kind of doubt it will ever happen. So, I should probably get rid of them, but I don't. I have other things like that too, not worthless junk, but things I no longer have room for.
However, over the years, I have come to realize one thing. In a way, now I think belongings are like a dead albatross around a person's neck. They take up space, and they tie you down, yet there are still alot of things I can't seem to get rid of. What do you do?
I totally agree with you on your last statement --- "I don't think it is as important to know why I have acquired this disorder as much as it is important to regain control and live my life free of the madness of the clutter." That is a very good outlook! I so wish you success in overcoming the problem. By the way, you express yourself and write very well! If you want to chat in the future, I normally check this website at least once a day. God bless and take care.
Jen
I have hoarding tendecnies but I don't let it take over my life. I keep stuff in my grandma's garage because I can't handle being around it. The garage got so full that I couldn't get in it. Two weeks ago I was finally able to throw some things away and organize the rest of it. There were all sorts of things I had collected. I had every old worn out wallet I have ever had in my entire life, a small box of sunglasses from when I was a kid, airline bags that have the little tooth brush and tooth paste and comb, things you put over your eyes to help you sleep in the daylight, colognes that stink, boxes and crates of outdated computer books, old tire intertubes, a globe, broken Christmas tree ornaments, stuffed animals as old as me, puzzles with missing pieces, a black and white tv, an ooga horn, unused picture albums with rusted rings, collectible tins, electrical wiring, and a whole lot more.
Good for you! I bet you feel better now that you gone through it! Thank you for contributing to the discussion!
Yeah, I feel better. I won't give up my collection of over 200 Matchbox and Hot Wheels though. They could be worth something someday.
My dad has two old trucks parked under the trees from the 1930's -40's. They've been sitting there since the1960's. He mentioned selling them for scrap metal a couple years ago. I begged him not to. He wanted to know why and I said "Because then you wouldn't have them." He said "Do you know how silly that sounds?" I just laughed. Thank God he didn't sell them. They've been there all my life and I just can't stand the thought of getting rid of them.
No, I wouldn't give up a collection like that either. I bet it's nice. I used to have a matchbox collection too, but it got stolen.
Maybe some day you can restore the trucks?
Have a great day!
The trucks are beyond restoring but I hope to keep them anyway. They're more like rusted artifacts. Somebody shot some of the windows out of them!
That's too bad. It just sucks when people vandalize other people's property. I guess what comes around goes around, hopefully.
Hi All, I began taking charge of the stuff that has come between myself and my sanity LOL!!! The motivation happened rather unexpectedly, My leather furniture under warranty was tearing in places, the store we bought it from has discontinued it and asked us to come into the store to re-select new furniture, which we did. Rather excited for a new look and style, I chose fabric instead of the leather and even picked out some new coffee and end tables to match only they have glass tops, and we have small children. So I made the decision no toys in the living room and no needless clutter, that this is mom and dads room. The kids will have a room in the basement for thier toys. ......Oh yes the dreadful basement. The dumping ground for all the items that do not have a proper home. But you know what we all came together as a family, my husband, myself our older son and our 3 yr. old and we tackled sorting out the unnecesary items cleared @ least one room as a tv room set it all up put a box of toys in there for our 3 younger boys. The little ones were absolutely delighted it was new and exciting and toys they had forgotten they had were like Christmas all over again. I have been processing the thoughts of doing it for so long and now finally I am doing it. Wow what a rush ...feeels good now but I have to say I really pondered over papers trying to rationalize a reason for needing them. I would go through a box sort it keep, give , throw and then just when I thought I had finished I would go through the keep again purging even more to only that which made sense had a function or an imediate purpose. I am soooooooooooo looking forward to reclaiming my entire home again.
I used to be one of the world's worst hoarders and I loved this hub. I cannot wait to read more of your hubs well done. I am voting this one up1 Thank you for sharing!!
Thanks for sharing, I come from a long line of Hoarders heck most of my family is proud to be Hoarders. I am alittle more than 1/2 way thru my life and I realized that if my daughter does not want this stuff I have that I should, sell it, give it away, pack it up have other people just pretend they need it and don't tell me what you really do with it. I had 5 acres, 7 auctions and three months to clean up my Dad's stuff when he died, now that Mom's gone it is slowly taken me and my Aunt almost 2 years to go thru all her stuff, she used to hide expensive small items in all her boxes so others would not throw them away. Money large bills, diamond rings it was crazy. It is a crazy process, but I think it is going to end finally with me. My daughter had to live around my Mom's stuff for 12 years and is not interested in the dust it all collects. One point I want to bring up that was an ah ha momemt for me is years ago getting something or someone giving you something ment something it had a special meaning. But now that we have lived in the manufacturing age where they are (the manufacturing companies) cranking stuff out like crazy in our country and other countries, manufactured stuff is every where it does not hold the same value as it once did. In our family I think we collected stuff and fixed stuff because at one time it had a value and you could resell itor give it to someone who needs it. In the year 2010 items are manufactured so inexpensively you can go buy a new lamp for example for $10 bucks why have an old one? It is true my Mom was abandoned by her Father and Mother and so were her sisters and one brother. My Dad suffered the lose of his Mother and Father early, by the age of 16, he was the last of 13 brothers and sisters. What is my excuse I am not sure.
My house is now clean in at least 2/3's of the rooms and it feels great. Do not cling to the worldly gifts but run to the Gifts your Father in Heaven have for you it is bountiful and lovely.
James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above,coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,
I have also learned that if you can walk away from the impulse to collect or (Hoard) it fades away, all the Hoarding collectively leads to trials and when we are faced with a trial we must immediately ask God for wisdom, read James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
My Mom and Dad never asked for the wisdom, but I am and it is helping and others are helping me.
God Bless
I have had a hoarding problem for about the last 5 years and I still struggle with it. I am very ashamed of it. I struggle with depression, anxiety and ADD. I am on medication for the depression and the ADD. I find that when I start to clean I am overwhelhmed, it's never clean enough and it feels so empty when I am done. I also have anxiety about taking the trash out because then people will see that I am a hoarder by how many trash bags I am throwing out. I know Hoarding is a mental disorder but so many nonhoarders look down on people for it that it's hard not to be ashamed of it.
Hi Eiddwen
Sorry I've been so remiss in replying lately. Thank you for commenting.
Hi Biblestudyjames
Thanks for the wonderful comment. By other people commenting about their experiences, it helps the ones trying to deal with the problem now. God bless!
Hi t
Don't feel ashamed; you're not alone. It is a very common problem nowadays. Struggling with depression, anxieity, and ADD only compounds the problem for you.
Although my house doesn't look like the ones of the hoarders on the popular tv shows today. I struggle with having too much stuff in too small of a place. In my case, I think I used to buy things I didn't need to lift my spirits when I was depressed. Eventually you learn it's only a temporary high, and afterwards, you feel guilty because you didn't really need it anyway, not to mention where are you going to put one more thing. Biblestudyjames has made some good points. Take care, and I wish you success!
Great hub. The list of symptoms of compulsive hoarding is a good place to start. Being able to define a hoarder, as opposed to someone who is just an avid collector, is step one in getting a person on the road to recovery.
Hi Palmerpullen
Thank you; I am glad you enjoyed the article. I looked at your website. It's very nicely done. Thanks for commenting.
Hi All .. thankyou for all your posts, I can feel my tears drying on my cheeks from reading all the personal disclosures you've all made ... I'm just only now trying to tackle my 50 yr plus history of hoarding items ... have been accepted into a group run at a local university that seeks to use CBT (cognitive-behavioral therapy) and I went looking on the web for insights into the effectiveness of this treatment ... I identify so much with a lot of habits you all express, in some way that daunts me because I need to change, and fast, before all my friends and family walk away ... I've ticked the box (Follow this Hub's comments) and hope this allows new comments to be emailed to me, would appreciate if someone can let me know if this is correct ... I do intend to post here again but have "homework" that we were set from our first group due tomorrow, so am off to "clean out a room" ... or at least try, thanks to all of you again (from 'down-under' in Australia)
fishskinfreak2008 2 years ago
My mom is one of these people by definition: SAVING UNREASONABLY AND WHEN THERE IS NO NEED TO. Thumbs up