If you or a loved one is dedicated to the practice of hoarding, Know that you are not alone. According to the American Psychiatric Association, about 2.6% of all Americans (more than 8 million people) struggle with this disorder. While this behavior is common, it was only accepted as a psychiatric disorder in 2013.
Among the things we’ve discovered about this condition is that using appropriate language can be helpful: It’s best not to call someone a “hoarder,” for example, but to refer to them as “someone who hoards,” like none of us. are our illness or disorder. It is also helpful to learn how to help someone involved in the behavior and knowing that people who hoard often feel like they can’t help it.
What is hoarding?
Hoarding it’s a mental health disorder in which someone has a constant compulsion to hold on to their belongings, causing them to accumulate a significant number of possessions and disorder. In addition to it being difficult for the individual to part with the items, “the person often has a strong desire to acquire the items in the first place,” explains Brad Schmidt, distinguished research professor of psychology at Florida State University.
It’s also worth noting that while many of us can relate to wanting to keep certain belongings, a hoarder generally feels this way about almost everything. all his possessions and feels significantly afflicted before the thought of separating from either of them, says Gregory Chasson, associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral neuroscience at the University of Chicago.
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Why do people hoard?
The exact causes have not been defined, but are believed to be a combination of factors. “Hoarding disorder is thought to involve both genetic and environmental factors,” says Marla Deibler, a clinical psychologist based in Princeton, New Jersey, who specializes in the treatment of hoarding disorder.
From a genetic standpoint, he says people with family members who hoard are known to often have similar difficulties and have a higher risk of developing the disease. condition. On the environmental side, one could have grown up in the so-called “scarcity mentality”, where everything was taught that everything had value or would be useful at some point. “People who hoard believe they might need the item later or that someone else might use it, or that the item may serve a purpose they haven’t discovered yet,” Chasson says.
Other times, it says that a person may not want to contribute to environmental waste or you may have attached sentimental value to various items, so getting rid of them becomes emotionally painful.
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How to help someone who hoards
No matter the reason someone is hoarding, it is essential to help them slowly and respectfully.
but helping is important. Being surrounded by too much clutter can affect the quality of life, especially if the bedroom or kitchen is so full of items that tables, appliances, and beds cannot be used for their intended purpose. There is also an increased risk of fire and likelihood of pests or rodent infestation.
An important first step is to help someone recognize why it is important to make a change. “Instead of complaining and getting angry, it will probably be more productive to have a discussion without prejudice about how the behaviors are having a negative effect on your relationship and expressing concern for the loved one’s health and safety and offering help managing the disorder,” Schmidt offers.
When it comes to cleaning and organization In space, it is essential to “avoid forced cleaning,” warns Chasson, and work on the project hand in hand with whoever monopolizes it. It can be helpful to have lots of organization, like keep, trash, or donate.
Download some articles to a storage unit It can be another strategy to help someone get rid of many items at once without feeling like they have to part with them forever. This can also help them acclimate to the idea of not having more items and can give them the opportunity to see how good a clean space feels in their home.
“A storage unit can also help with the feeling of being overwhelmed and paralyzed because there is so much to do,” says Schmidt. At the same time, it’s important to maintain this temporary transition so that a hoarder doesn’t fill the empty space in your home with more stuff. “I always tell people to get a month-to-month lease and make sure a storage company doesn’t raise your rent after a couple of months, or using a storage unit this way can be costly. quite expensive.” advises Burke Bradshaw, COO of Towne Storage.
Get to the root of because someone treasures is also important. “Simply removing or organizing existing clutter is not enough because clutter is often a symptom of a broader problem,” says Chasson. Seek professional help and practice. cognitive behavioral therapy may be the best ways to achieve this.
“Look for a professional with experience in hoarding,” advises Diebler. “Along the way, be collaborative, patient, empathetic, positive, and praise progress, even if it’s slow.”
