A hoarding disorder is where someone acquires an excessive number of items and stores them in a chaotic manner, usually resulting in unmanageable amounts of clutter. The items can be of little or no monetary value (NHS, 2021).

Many people struggling with hoarding do not seek help. This may be due to humiliation and shame or because they simply do not recognise the hoarding as an issue.

Hoarding can significantly impact a person’s quality of life by making it hard for them to function in their home including move around and maintaining hygiene and cleanliness.

Hoarding can be a condition in itself, or a symptom of a mental illness including severe depression, OCD or schizophrenia.

Symptoms:

  • Keeping/collecting items that have little or no monetary value, such as junk mail and carrier bags, or items they intend to reuse or repair
  • Having difficulty in making decisions
  • Struggling to manage everyday tasks, such as washing, cooking, cleaning and paying bills
  • Becoming extremely attached to items, refusing to let anyone touch or borrow them
  • Having poor relationships with family or friends

Support available:

It can be difficult to get someone with a hoarding disorder to seek help.

Mind have information on their website about Hoarding Disorder.

People struggling with hoarding may benefit from psychological therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). This will often be combined with practical activities and tasks focused on tackling the problem.