Hoarding is something that many people have heard of, but may not know the intricacies of… So, what is it? Hoarding is classed as a disorder, and is defined as someone who acquires items of an excessive amount and stores them without organisation. This causes clutter that is unmanageable, and impacts their way of life. Hoarding becomes a problem when this point is reached, and it interferes with daily tasks.
What causes hoarding?
Hoarding is often a symptom of a larger issue. This can be mental health difficulties, such as depression, OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) or schizophrenia. People with this disorder can find themselves forming emotional attachments to items, even if they are of no value in terms of memories or money. It can also be an expression of self-neglect, and also a way of coping with larger issues and maintaining control over their homes, even if it does not seem as if they are in control from an outside perspective.
What are the signs of hoarding?
If you’re wondering if someone you know is a hoarder, or it looks like they may be heading in that direction, you can look for some signs that are typical for someone with this disorder. By knowing that someone is struggling with hoarding, this will be a step towards them being able to accept help. You could look out for someone…
- Keeping items of no monetary value such as stacks of newspapers
- Finding it difficult to organise their items and leaving them in a chaotic manner
- Unable to make decisions generally, but also in terms of items to keep and throw away
- Becoming attached to items easily – enough for it to impair their daily tasks like walking into the kitchen
- Having poor relationships with family and friends and unable to maintain connections
What are the dangers of hoarding?
If hoarding is left to escalate and becomes out of hand, it can lead to further issues within the home and for the person struggling with the disorder, as well as those around them. The effects of hoarding can include:
- It can become unhygienic as the surplus of items makes the house difficult to clean
- Stacked up items can become trip and fire hazards, making it dangerous to move around
- If items are piled high, there can be a risk of heavy items falling on people and harming them
- The lack of living space and constant reminder of underlying issues can be detrimental to someone’s mental health and quality of life
How can a hoarder dispose of their items?
Oftentimes, a hoarder must take responsibility for sorting their items as part of their recovery. However, they may find themselves needing some assistance, especially when clearing a large surface area and many items. Our team at Junk Taxi can clear items from your home, including packaged items such as bin bags full of cleared clutter. We will deal with this service sensitively and tactfully, so that any potential distress is minimised.
If you require our home clearance services, get in touch with our reliable team on 020 3092 2961 or email info@junktaxi.co.uk.