Why Do People Hoard?

Have you ever wondered why some people struggle with hoarding? It's a complex issue that goes beyond just collecting too many things. Hoarding is a fascinating and often misunderstood topic. In this blog post, we will explore some of the key factors that contribute to hoarding behaviours and provide tips for understanding and addressing this issue.

1. Emotional Attachment: One of the main reasons people hoard is because they develop strong emotional attachments to their possessions. Each item holds sentimental value or represents a memory, making it difficult for them to let go. It's important to remember that these attachments are real and valid to the individual, even if they seem irrational to others.

   
   

2. Fear of Loss: People living with hoarding-disorder often have an intense fear of losing something important or valuable. They believe that by holding onto their possessions, they can protect themselves from potential harm or loss. This fear can be deeply ingrained and difficult to overcome without professional help.

   
   

3. Perfectionism: Many people have perfectionistic tendencies and struggle with making decisions. They may feel overwhelmed by the thought of organising or decluttering their belongings, fearing that they won't be able to do it perfectly. It is a misconception that all people with hoarding tendencies are unclean or that they don't care about living in a sanitary and organised environment. Often, people can feel so driven to have things clean and organised, that it overwhelms them and prevents progress. This can lead to a cycle of avoidance and further accumulation of items.

   
   

4. Trauma and Loss: Hoarding can also be a response to trauma, adverse childhood experiences, or significant loss in a person's life. It may serve as a coping mechanism or a way to fill a void. Understanding the underlying emotional pain is crucial in helping individuals overcome hoarding tendencies.

   
   

5. Financial Value: People may like to keep things with a financial value, possibly seeing it as a future investment.

   
   

6. Functional Value: Often people who have issues with hoarding are incredibly resourceful. This is a positive trait to have, especially in a world where items are often so disposable. This however, can become an issue when the volume of "stuff" affects your quality of life or safety in the home.

   
   

7. Recycling: People with hoarding issues are often passionate about the environment and are very caring about other people and animals. There is often a lack of resources locally to recycle things like glass and soft plastics. With personal responsibility being placed on the individual to deal with this, it can again become overwhelming trying to dispose of everything "perfectly". This can lead to confusion as to how to recycle certain objects and cause a build-up in the home. Understanding where responsibility lies, with regards to currently un-recyclable items, can be useful in helping people see wider societal issues and potentially help them cope better with the process of disposal/recycling.

   
   

8. Other: Diogenes syndrome is where you see extreme self-neglect and collection of socially-viewed "waste" items like litter and even human waste, animals and a range of others.

Now that we have a better understanding of the psychology behind hoarding, let's explore some tips for addressing some of these behaviours:

1. Seek Professional Help: Hoarding is a complex issue that often requires professional intervention. Psychological interventions applied by appropriate professionals can provide valuable support and guidance throughout the recovery process alongside the physical changes in the home. With this being a complex condition, with many influencing factors, it often requires a multi-disciplinary approach to get the best outcomes.

   
   

2. Be Curious: It's important to approach hoarding with empathy and understanding. Remember that people living with hoarding-disorder are not simply lazy or messy; they often have complex experiences and challenges, both personally and socially, which have contributed to the problem. If we take time to listen with compassion, we can work together to come up with solutions.

   
   

3. Leave Your Assumptions at the Door: We all have our own expectations of how a home "should" look but we must try not to force this upon other people. We must prioritise safety and contentment in the home and beyond this, accept differences with how people choose to live.

   
   

4. Break Tasks into Manageable Steps: Decluttering and organising a person's living space can be overwhelming. Help them break down the process into smaller, more manageable tasks. Celebrate small victories along the way to keep motivation high.

   
   

5. Focus on the Individual's Values: When working with anyone, it's essential to understand their values and priorities. Help them identify what truly matters to them and find ways to incorporate those values into how you work. Whilst it can be helpful to have goals, being clear on your values e.g. kindness and respect, this can keep you motivated during the tough times.

   
   

6. Encourage Self-Reflection: Hoarding is often a deeply ingrained behaviour that requires individuals to reflect on their thoughts, emotions, and beliefs. With professional support, they may explore the underlying reasons for their hoarding tendencies and work towards developing healthier coping mechanisms.

   
   

7. Find a Peer-Support Group: Finding an understanding community can be very beneficial as it provides you with a safe and supporting space throughout your journey.

Symptoms will vary between people and this advice may not be applicable for everyone. Please seek professional help where you need further support.

By approaching hoarding issues with curiosity, compassion and respect, we can all help people live more safely and happily in their homes.