As hoarding behavior continues, the accumulation of possessions only gets worse, until whole rooms are inaccessible.

If a guest can’t sit on your sofa because there are papers piled on top of it, or you can barely climb the stairs because there are items stacked on each one, it’s time to consider addressing the problem. Often the first sign of hoarding is the inability to use areas of the home in their intended way. Clean homes are healthy homes, and hoarders’ homes can become magnets for pests and bacteria. It’s important to address hoarding as soon as possible, because it can quickly get out of hand and create an unsafe living environment. However there are a few ways to tell when clutter has gone too far and turned into hoarding. That stack of old magazines beside the sofa, or a few more shirts than comfortably fit inside the closet, are typical for many of us. The difference between clutter and hoardingĬlutter is a common complaint most people have about their homes. However unlike true collections, which are usually carefully curated and stored, hoarded items are often kept in disarray and can spill over into the hoarder’s living space. Old newspapers, plastic bags, trash, and clothing are all common items that hoarders typically collect.

What is hoarding?Īccording to the Mayo Clinic, a hoarding disorder is classed as a “persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions because of a perceived need to save them.” Many hoarders collect possessions that most people would consider worthless. However sometimes that sentimental attachment to an old toy or item of clothing, or sense of “I might need it one day,” can get out of control, and suddenly everything seems important and worth keeping. Many people have clutter in their homes and hang on to possessions longer than necessary. The first step is realizing when hoarding has become a problem.

This delicate situation requires sensitive treatment and the right approach in order to avoid causing more harm than good. If a person has started to hoard belongings in their home, they may be unwilling to accept they have a problem, even if their possessions are taking over their life and making their living area unsafe. Dealing with hoarding is difficult for everyone involved.

House cleaning games with levels