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Many of us love what we own. Getting rid of an overabundance of clothes you no longer wear or a vast collection of old books may be challenging. You may have a deep, emotional value attached to them. Some of us might even find comfort in shopping - as retail therapy.

However, the problem arises when this behavior becomes obsessive and compulsive. This is a common and sometimes disabling condition known as hoarding disorder (HD). It is defined by continual difficulties getting rid of or parting with possessions. If you experience this condition, even buying and accumulating things can bring you comfort. However, getting rid of or discarding these possessions can greatly distress you.

Despite all the awareness, it can be difficult to live with this condition. Additionally, it can also be challenging to live with a hoarder. But, help is available. One just needs to reach out!

Major Causes

Although the specific cause for hoarding is unknown, there are many possible reasons. For their individual experiences, everyone will differ in their reasons. Most likely, several factors are responsible:

1. Complicated Feelings: This ailment may be associated with traumatic events and unpleasant emotions. These may be difficult for you to articulate, confront, or resolve. Hoarding can provide a coping mechanism for people with other mental health issues or serves as a diversion from intense feelings of anxiety, upset, or fear.
2. Perfectionism And Worrying: If you hoard things, you might struggle with the intense fear of making mistakes. It is also known as perfectionism. Additionally, you could struggle to decide what to do, plan, or figure out how to complete chores. You can find it difficult to categorize your belongings or select what to keep and what to discard. The thought of doing something could be so challenging or upsetting that it seems easier to give up.
3. Living Habits: Your living habits may trigger this condition, including being disorganized or living alone. Impulsive buying habits and the inability to pass up free items, such as coupons and flyers, can also become toxic for you.

Common Signs

This condition can develop gradually over time. Some people may not even be aware that they are exhibiting the symptoms. These include:

• being unable to part with items, including both valuable and invaluable ones
• having an excessive amount of clutter at the home, office, or other space
• being unable to find essential items amidst the clutter
• holding onto a lot of things as souvenirs for people or events in your life
• hoarding leftovers or other needless goods
• feeling frustrated but helpless about the number of items in their environment,
• you might often excuse the mess by blaming the clutter on the lack of space
• losing space to clutter, making it difficult to carry out essential functions
• avoiding hosting people due to the lack of space, as it could cause shame and embarrassment
• having conflicts with loved ones over the clutter

Risk Factors

This condition may begin between the ages of 11 and 15, and it tends to get worse as people age. Compared to younger adults, older adults hoard more frequently. Risk factors consist of:

1. Family History: It's common for hoarders to have family members, such as a parent or sibling, who practice the same tendency. According to several studies, some genes may lead you to it
2. Trauma or Loss: You may be able to connect the beginning of your condition to a difficult time in your life. This could include suffering racism, being the victim of abuse, bullying, or harassment. It may also include the end of a relationship, health issues, or the loss of a loved one. Feeling alone or isolated, going through extended periods of stress, or going through a lot of stress may also set off the signs of this condition.
3. Childhood Experiences: According to experts, early experiences of losing things, deprivation, or adults not caring for you may be related to this condition. This could involve having financial concerns or growing up in poverty. Symptoms can also occur by having your possessions seized or thrown away, hardships, or evictions. These experiences could make you feel more attached to your possessions or make it difficult for you to organize them.

The Different Types

This disorder can take many forms. The different types are:

• Animal Hoarders: They often care for their animals with love, but their bad habits can put both in danger. The more animals there are, rearing them properly requires more care, time, and resources. However, hoarders are unable to provide for the needs of the animals. They might think they are kind caregivers, but they often put their pets at risk. Their poorly maintained homes may swiftly degrade into a dangerous living environment due to bacterial growth, insect infestation, and other factors.
• Food Hoarders: When a person accumulates food and groceries while their cabinets, refrigerator, and freezer are already full, it could be a characteristic of this condition. Spoiled food might also be difficult for some hoarders to discard. It poses a serious health risk to the hoarder and their family due to potential exposure to viruses and bacteria. The food may also attract rodents and insects.
• Paper Hoarders: They struggle to get rid of their hoarded paper. Many people keep paper in their possession, including bills, receipts, books, newsprint, magazines, special offers, and more, but paper hoarders accumulate so much of it that their storage area becomes unusable. It may lead to falling or fire hazards, causing serious injury or maybe death.
• Garbage Hoarders: These people may be unwilling to get rid of rubbish, waste, or garbage. Additionally, they might dig through other people's trash to collect items to take back home. This may contain potentially harmful chemicals such as propane. It could cause fire or an explosion. Garbage may also contain vermin, which can cause viruses and infections. These rodents or insects also represent a health danger to the occupants.
• Shopping Hoarders: Someone with this condition may keep everything they buy, even if they will never use it. These objects may occasionally include flammable substances like propane, raising the house's fire risk and explosion. Hoarders might not part with these possessions under any circumstance.

How to Deal With Your Symptoms

Hoarding disorder symptoms can be challenging to manage since many individuals are unaware of how it affects their lives. They might not think they require medical attention. However, you can manage these signs through cognitive behavioral therapy. In addition, medications are added if you additionally suffer from anxiety or depression.

• Psychotherapy: The main course of treatment is psychotherapy, often known as talk therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy is the most popular type of psychotherapy used to treat this. You should try to seek a therapist or other mental health practitioner with experience treating this problem.
• Medications: There are no medicines designed mainly to treat HD. Some might ease symptoms. To treat the problem, a doctor may recommend a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor.
• Support Groups: Peer-led support groups can also aid in managing the signs. For someone with HD, these groups may be welcoming and less intimidating. They frequently hold weekly meetings and conduct frequent check-ins to offer assistance and evaluate progress.

Get Treatment From a Licensed Therapist Who’s Right For You

The signs of this condition may often get ignored. Some people might fail to see the severity and associate HD with guilty pleasures and indulgences. However, it is a serious condition that can lead to much distress. Thus, proper assistance is required.

The right therapist will understand and comprehend the condition. They will not be prejudiced, but help you tackle your problems, manage the condition effectively, and minimize the effect of the symptoms. It can lead to a drastic improvement in your situation.

Schedule a Virtual Psychotherapy Appointment with a Counsellor Today

It can be difficult to find someone who suits your needs. But at DocVita, we have a comprehensive list of condition-specific providers. Our specialists are experienced and well-trained. They can help you manage your condition and better your life.

All you need to do is visit our page and book your first online session today!