Understanding Hoarding: Where Do We Draw the Line?
Don’t we all have that one box or trunk, whatever you choose to call it, that we can refer to as a “memory box”?
The concept is quite inviting, isn’t it? I recently started to store all the things that are important to me, but that raises an important question: What truly matters? Do random pieces of paper or that one little letter from a long-lost friend still hold value? Are we clinging to these items out of fear of losing their sentimental significance or perhaps forgetting about them?
So, where do we draw the line?
If we hold onto certain mementoes, does that mean we have a “hoarding disorder”? What is the difference between simply holding onto memories and someone who is diagnosed with a “hoarding disorder”? If you find yourself puzzled, just like I do, I invite you to join me on this journey of exploration and understanding.
“Collecting” is simply safeguarding memories, mementoes and anything that holds a special value for us. But when does it become “Hoarding”? To understand it better, let us take a tour of 2-bedrooms which might seem a tad bit similar to you all readers in terms of - “Holding onto things” and an actual “Hoarding Disorder”.
Firstly, we enter the room of A, one of the research participants. As we move around in their space, one characteristic that stands out is the abundance of items: memory boxes, clothes, knick-knacks, and more. Upon entering the room, we might initially feel that it is cluttered or overly stuffed, which is understandable for those of us who prefer more spacious areas. However, from A’s perspective, each item holds significant value. The collection ranges from old birthday cards and tattered sweaters to a box full of cameras and various paintings, all of which carry sentimental meaning. An important aspect to consider is how this collection might interfere with one’s daily life. When asked about this, our participant did not report experiencing any difficulties in their daily routines. Additionally, this participant has the ability to declutter their space and would not find it difficult to part with their items if necessary.
Before we proceed to the second participant's room, let's first clarify what "Hoarding Disorder" is. “ It is a continuous difficulty in discarding items because the individual feels a need to save them, even if those items are no longer functional. This struggle can ultimately result in the accumulation of a large collection of items. And this room is a stark contrast to the previous one. What sets it apart? Let’s take a detailed look and explore how the symptoms of “Hoarding Disorder” manifest in this participant's room:
Items tend to accumulate, which ultimately disrupts the room's functionality. There is a notable similarity between the state of the room and the symptoms experienced by this participant, as evidenced by the clothes scattered on the floor and papers strewn about.
When interacting with our second participant, they expressed experiencing extreme stress when attempting to discard items. For instance, they mentioned that even getting rid of a broken pencil caused them significant anxiety.
Individuals who struggle with clutter tend to have conflicts with those who attempt to organize or remove their belongings. For example, our second participant displayed a strong possessiveness over every item in their room, initially showing reluctance to share their space with observers.
They often believe that their possessions hold unique value or will be needed in the future. When asked about this, the participant explained how they consider even crumpled wrapping paper to be valuable, as it could be reused for birthday gifts for friends.
I hope that the slight yet important differences between “hoarding” and “holding onto items” have helped all of you, my loyal readers, better understand the distinction between the two concepts.
Collecting involves some sort of organisation. You organise the collection based on association to something. Hoarding has no organisation and can be very haphazard.
Collecting doesn't negatively impact day to day life of the individual while hoarding impacts negatively. This is an important distinction to talk about.
I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions regarding both terms. I want to express my gratitude to everyone who participated in this informative observation trip. It was a pleasure hosting you all. I hope you found the experience enlightening. Until the next blog post, have a wonderful day, you lovely human beings!
