Signs You Are a Hoarder
Nowadays we are flooded with stuff from dollar stores and garage sales, we are bombarded with bargains and special offers and thus we are constantly tempted and persuaded to buy things we don’t need. This leads to our homes being swamped, but what’s the difference between a clutter-bug and a hoarder?
Hoarding is more than just being disorganized? According to research carried in the United States approximately 4 million Americans have a full-blown hoarding disorder and around 15 million people exhibit some form of hoarding behaviour. Here are some signs that will help you identify where you stand on the hoarding dimension.
1. Hoarders keep bringing stuff home, despite the fact they have no use for, or a reason to put them on display.
Why then hoarders do what they do? Because it feels good! Buying something new brings a temporary feeling of satisfaction.
2. Their “collection” is out of control.
People who collect things usually organise them well and maintain them in good order. However, that’s not the case for hoarders whose “collections” flood the entire place and look as piles of clutter.
3. There are rooms and items that are not used on purpose, because they are too flooded.
Have you seen the “Hoarders” show? Whenever I’ve watched it, I couldn’t help but notice tables, chairs, desks and sofas occupied by stuff.
4. Hoarders are easily identifiable from early age.
They attach easily to objects. The thought of throwing an item away makes hoarders believe they are hurting the item’s feelings, or the feelings of the person who gave them this item. They might also associate throwing someone else’s possessions, like their daughter’s old doll house, as if they are “throwing” her away. And this does not mean that you should go now and throw your daughter’s doll house, but you should probably think about there the stuff you are so attached to has become way too much for you to handle.
5. Hoarders have creative excuses to not throw things away.
In their attempt to keep everything they ever acquired hoarders come up with all sorts of creative excuses for the mess they make in their house.
6. They feel embarrassed by their possessions.
This is often a reason why they don’t invite guests. They feel a sense of shame, but are powerless in the face of the problem.
7. Their house eventually becomes dirty.
There is dirt in hoarders’ houses, not because they are dirty people, but because it is simply impossible to keep a house clean with so much clutter. Yes you know now, there is no way to clean with clutter.
Hoarding makes life complicated. Have you heard the expression that “Less is more!” It is true. People who hoard have a hard time to relocate and it costs them a fortune. According to professional removals in Melbourne, people like this want to take everything with them, if they ever leave their house on the first place. They have a hard time with visitors not only because they feel ashamed for having so much clutter, but because not everyone feels comfortable when visiting them. A friend of mine was worried to leave her children in her mother’s house, because she feared they will hurt themselves in the piles of stuff she had. Hoarding is a serious issue, so please raise awareness.