If you often find yourself being unable to let go of your worldly possessions, chances are you might be a victim of a hoarding disorder. It is essential to recognize the signs of this disorder to diagnose it appropriately. A hoarder tends to accumulate objects and display feelings of distraught when trying to discard them. This may lead to a cluttered and unsafe environment, which can significantly impact one’s social and family life.
There are five levels of this disorder, categorized by the increasing severity of the condition. To interpret these levels, we must understand what a hoarding disorder is and how it can harm our lives.
A Brief Overview
Victims of this disorder often collect and save items that may be of minimal or no use. It is often considered a subtype of an obsessive-compulsive disorder and can affect any individual. Severe hoarding can create a crowded space, leading to overcrowded rooms, overflowing kitchens, and cramped desks and chairs. All surfaces of your house may be cluttered with unnecessary items. This can create a hazardous environment and take a toll on your mental health.
Hoarding may arise from indecisiveness, perfectionism, or family history. People hoard because they believe that an item may be helpful to them in the future, or it may hold a sentimental value. They have difficulty removing objects such as newspapers, books, clothes, food, and containers. Sometimes, they might be under the notion that these items may help them remember important events in their lives.
Over time, clutter can build up to a point where your home might become unusable, and your hygiene may suffer due to the lack of basic cleaning. This may lead to social isolation, and you might find it hard to maintain relationships. It is integral to seek help from a professional if you believe that you or a loved one might be showing symptoms of this condition. Read on to find out what are the five stages of this disorder.
1. Reluctance to Discard Items
The first stage of this disorder is quite subtle, as there are few recognizable signs of the ailment. You may be unwilling or hesitant to dispose of valueless items or express a desire to accumulate objects for future use. The environment at home at this stage would be safe, as there would be less clutter. You might fill up a sole cabinet, or your table might be disorganized, but all the essential spaces, such as the stairways and the rooms, will be well-ventilated. The house will be presentable with no unpleasant odors at this level of the disorder. Although some clutter might become apparent, it will not affect the overall hygiene or health of the person.
2. The Home Starts to Show Signs
The inclination toward accumulating items becomes evident at the second level of this ailment. Clutter might become visible to visitors, and your home will display signs of disorganization or disorder. Multiple cabinets may be brimming with unwanted goods, and they may spill out to rooms or other areas of your house.
Once the clutter becomes unmanageable, you might not try to clear out the unwanted items. Your house may have an unpleasant odor due to the excessive buildup of dirt, which can cause unhealthy or unhygienic living conditions for you and your loved ones. You may begin to withdraw from people, lessen your social interaction and stop hosting visitors at your house.
Other signs at this stage may include recurring issues with electrical appliances, blockages in multiple areas of the house, or limited ventilation.
3. Clutter Spreads Outside the Home
At this stage, objects may start to spill outside your house. The clutter might accumulate in the hallways, staircases, and general areas. Outsiders might begin to take notice of the disorder. This level of stockpiling is quite dangerous, as the living conditions inside the house may become inhabitable. Rooms might be hoarded with unusable objects, kitchens with excessive food items, and other areas with unnecessary belongings.
Appliances such as refrigerators, televisions, and air conditioners may break, leaving the house without the necessary supplies. The trash may overflow inside and outside the perimeters of your home, which may become a hazard to the living members of the area. Your house might become a breeding ground for insects at this level of the disorder.
You may be exposed to various health issues, and outside intervention will be necessary to sanitize the house.
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4. Structural Damage to the Home
Persistent hoarding without any intervention or help may lead to the fourth level of this disorder. Due to the excessive accumulation of items, your house may suffer multiple structural damages. This can include shattered windows, broken doors, and severe water leakage. You may be exposed to a fire hazard if there are issues with your electrical socket or if there are flyaway electrical wires.
Outside the perimeter of your house, you may notice infestations of bacteria or insects due to the accumulation of trash around your home. This can lead to serious health hazards and might also become a problem for your neighbors.
At this level, the hoarder might suffer from various issues due to an unkempt nature and lack of personal hygiene. Their social circles and relationships might deteriorate due to rare or no communication with their counterparts, which may take a heavy toll on their mental health.
5. Severe Hazards in the Residence
The last and the most severe stage of the disorder, hoarding at this level poses a serious risk to the individual and the people around. The home becomes a deadly hazard due to faulty electrical wires, broken plumbing, and clogged sewage. Insects and other unwanted creatures find habitat in the filth. The living conditions become extremely poor or even uninhabitable in some instances.
In this disorder phase, immediate assistance is required as it jeopardizes the entire residence. You may become a victim of depression, affecting your eating and sleeping habits. Since there may hardly be any ventilation or even an ounce of clean space, your house may become infested with molds and other deadly bacteria.
If these stages give you a sense of familiarity, you should consider seeking immediate help from a professional.
When to Seek Professional Help
Recognizing and acknowledging the symptoms of this disorder is the first step in creating a better environment for yourself. Professional help should be sought as soon as you begin to experience the symptoms. Although you might deny the possibility of being a victim, it is important to seek professional help to get a thorough and appropriate treatment for the disorder. Diagnosing the condition in the early stages is integral before it starts to harm your mental and physical well-being. Based on the preliminary results of the diagnosis, you may be referred to a specialist for a suitable treatment.
Get Started With a Licensed Professional With DocVita Today
Dealing with a hoarding disorder is not easy, but with the correct form of treatment, you can live an easier and healthier life. Docvita is home to an array of specialists, who can listen to you and be your guide on your journey to recovery.
Our user-friendly interface allows you to browse through compassionate and well-experienced therapists and counselors. Just hop on to Docvita’s book a therapist page and schedule a session at your convenience or liking!