Clutter & Hoarding
Later this year, Hoarding Disorder, as defined by the World Health Organisation, will become a newly classified mental health condition.
The latest estimates calculate around 324,282 people in Scotland are affected by hoarding behaviors – which makes hoarding more common than other well-known disorders such as Asperger’s Syndrome..
Not all clutter is linked to hoarding. A person who lives in a cluttered and chaotic home could be ‘chronically disorganised’ as a result of a cognitive and mental health impairment. Alternatively, someone could be ‘situationally disorganised’ following a stressful life event.
“The result of the bad fit between people who organise unconventionally and the very conventional organising methods which exist for them to use.”
Judith Kolberg
Hoarding is a complex mental health condition made up of 3 connected problems:
- Excessive and compulsive acquisition of items
- Difficulty letting go of things
- Difficulty with organisation and decision-making
These problems can lead to significant amounts of clutter which can severely limit the use of living spaces, pose health and safety risks, and result in significant distress and/or impairment in day-to-day living.
Hoarding Disorder
Hoarding is characterised by accumulation of possessions due to excessive acquisition of or difficulty discarding possessions, regardless of their actual value. Excessive acquisition is characterized by repetitive urges or behaviours related to amassing or buying items. Difficulty discarding possessions is characterized by a perceived need to save items and distress associated with discarding them.
Accumulation of possessions results in living spaces becoming cluttered to the point that their use or safety is compromised. The symptoms result in significant distress or significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational or other important areas of functioning.”
Getting help
We support people affected by clutter and hoarding by providing practical ‘hands on’ help. We are non-judgemental and always adopt a person-centred approach. We would never force a client to let go of anything they are not ready to, or work at a pace that is too challenging for them. Clearing a cluttered home takes time and patience, and we believe that developing a compassionate and trusting relationship with a client is vital to achieving long-term success.
We understand that clearing out alone won’t ‘cure’ hoarding; it needs an emotional, practical and therapeutic approach – which is why we often work in collaboration with related professionals in housing, health and social care – to ensure a client receives all the support they need.
Family and friends are often the first people to get in touch with us about a loved one who hoards. Family and friends can become frustrated following failed attempts to help their loved one; they often feel helpless and do not know what else they can do to help.
We support family and friends by helping them to realise that the ‘stuff’ is only a symptom of another issue. We help them to understand that hoarding is a complex condition, often rooted in trauma or related to anxiety or another mental health condition. We are empathetic and we know how important it is for family and friends of someone who hoards to have someone who will listen to them with respect and without judgement.
For more information contact Roger
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