Hoarding Behaviors
by Linda Griffith, The Organized Option
Last month, a new television series debuted on A&E TV called “Hoarders”. As a Professional Organizer, I received a large number of curious inquiries because of this show. In my previous columns, I haven’t discussed this subject in depth. My main reason is that hoarding tendencies involve complicated and extreme behavior, and one that has a social stigma attached to it. However, this new television series has received great reviews and has brought forth the attention necessary to help those afflicted with this psychiatric disorder.
Hoarding is defined in the dictionary as “a supply or accumulation that is hidden or carefully guarded for preservation, future use, etc.” It is the inability to let go of worthless items, even though they appear to have no value. The key word here is “appear”. It’s that old saying of “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure”. Literally.
Hoarding behaviors are mostly found in people suffering with obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD). There are many types of OCD behaviors (such as repetitive hand-washing), but all behaviors create deep shame for the sufferer, and their family.
An estimated 700,000 to 1.4 million people in the United States are believed to have compulsive hoarding syndrome. In my professional experience, I’ve found that a person suffering with hoarding tendencies is powerless to change their behavior alone. In fact, I mostly decline working with hoarding clients. It has nothing to do with the enormity of the job or of working in unsanitary conditions but, rather, my strong belief that my assistance is nothing more than a band aid. If the prospective client isn’t also working with a psychiatrist or a psychologist, I will not accept the job because the client will only waste their money. In six months, the plastic bags, old newspapers, and mail will have again accumulated.
The only time I acquiesced on my policy is because the caller had no one else to turn to. They were all alone, and had been an embezzlement victim by members of their own family. I contacted Adult Protective Services—twice—and was told they couldn’t step in just because a person opted to have a messy house (their words, not mine). Someone needed to help this person, so I agreed. We’ve worked together for many years—it’s been slow progress—and I’m proud that my client also regularly sees a psychologist.
My short article can only cover so much of this complex disorder, but
if you would like more information on the subject, please check out the
Obsessive Compulsive Foundation website on hoarding. They even have a survey for measuring the degree
of compulsive hoarding in an individual. Based on 23 questions, the
survey has three subscales to measure clutter, difficulty in discarding
and saving, and acquisition.
Linda Griffith, owner of The Organized Option, is a Professional Organizer & Speaker based in Phoenix, AZ. Linda helps sewers, crafters and home-based business owners achieve clutter-free, efficient work areas and regain their lost creativity. A national speaker, Linda's presentations blend practical how-to organizing tips with motivation and humor. She is also a regular columnist on organizing topics for The Country Register. Linda can be reached at (480) 755-3991, or through her website, www.organizedoption.com, where you can sign up for her FREE monthly e-newsletter.