Do you feel overwhelmed because of the paper pile in your home? There are times in everyone’s life when aspects of work, school, and your home just seem to slip away from you because you’ve taken on too much or are experiencing a major life change. But when does disorganization go beyond “situational disorganization” and become chronic? Ask yourself these three questions:
If you answered yes to each question, you may meet the definition of chronic disorganization.
What sets chronic disorganization apart?
The National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD) defines Chronic Disorganization as a lifelong struggle against disorganization in which self-help efforts haven’t worked, leaving you with negative feelings or consequences every day.
Some common experiences with Chronic Disorganization:
- Your space is filled with piles of paper, boxes, or bags.
- You are always behind schedule or running late for meetings and appointments.
- You are embarrassed by the clutter in your home, office or car (yes, your car!)
- You feel like you’re swimming or drowning in clutter.
- You are sure you’d never be able to move all that stuff to a new home.
- Everyone in your house is tripping on kids’ toys or laundry.
- You are positive you have one of those somewhere, but have to buy another because you can’t find it.
- You spend every day putting out fires, with no time for long-term planning.
While there are many conditions and situations that can bring on chronic disorganization, the most common cause seems to be attention deficit disorder (ADD or AD/HD). AD/HD is characterized by distractibility and difficulty in planning or completing activities, which makes it challenging to sustain a system of organization . . . but not impossible!
A Chronic pain condition is another common cause of chronic disorganization. If you hurt all the time, you may rarely feel like reorganizing a closet or filing paperwork. Moreover, continual pain can quickly become a distraction making it difficult to focus. Many people with fibromyalgia, arthritis, or chronic fatigue syndrome benefit from tweaking or discovering more efficient ways to function throughout their office or home.
Chronic disorganization can result from a brain injury, even something as seemingly minor as a mild concussion, or it can co-exist with Alzheimer’s disease or thyroid dysfunction.
There are many possibilities for chronic disorganization, and if you experience chronic disorganization in your life, seek support from experienced professionals who can help you implement a system or systems that help.
Coming Up for Air: Hope for Chronic Disorganization
As a professional organizer, I provide helpful organizational systems and tips that restructure not only the organization of a room or office space, but that also address time management, filing systems, and creating habits and behaviors that over time, lead to long-term organization.
In many cases where the chronic disorganization is caused by another health condition, I collaborate with a health professional who addresses the emotional and behavioral aspects of chronic disorganization. Together, we provide a support system.
For more information on chronic disorganization, visit The National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD).
Comments
having trouble distinguishing CD from Hoarding
I'm having trouble distinguishing CD from Hoarding.
Is the difference primarily the level of actual potentially pathogenic filth (like you mention in your 22 October '09 post "Cleaning a Hoarder’s Home is Not for the Faint of Heart," see below), things like something that "causes infection or disease, especially a microorganism, such as a bacterium or protozoan, or a virus," which would be aspects of Hoarding, versus what you describe above as being namely clutter without pathogens? The latter, "clutter" or "chronic disorganization," being as you say above:
"space ... filled with piles of paper, boxes, or bags, ...always behind schedule or running late, ...never be able to move all that stuff..., everyone in your house is tripping" [over things]
Is this right?
The difference between Hoarding and Chronic Disorganization is the dirt and potential disease level?
Thanks,
~~"PakratPatty"
http://metropolitanorganizing.com/blog?page=2
"Cleaning a Hoarder’s Home is Not for the Faint of Heart
"If organizing a hoarder’s home, you’ll find a lot of clutter of course. Mixed in with the clutter, you will probably find some of the following:
* Filth and debris
* Fecal matter – from humans, pets, mice, rats, etc.
* Bodily fluids
* Excessive trash
* Expired food
* Odors
* Mold
* Mildew
* Insects (bedbugs, maggots, weevils, spiders, ants, etc.)
* Pathogens carried in water, food, and air. A pathogen is “An agent that causes infection or disease, especially a microorganism, such as a bacterium or protozoan, or a virus.” (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/pathogen)"
Packrat Patty~
Patty,
Here is a link that might help clarify what hoarding is: http://www.dsm5.org/ProposedRevisions/Pages/proposedrevision.aspx?rid=398
I work with a lot of packrats and while they enjoy their possessions, there is never as much resistance or debate that people and relationships are much, much more important to them; it's not about their stuff. Not true for hoarders. For hoarders, their stuff is as important as the people in their life. When asked by a spouse or family member to let go of 'whatever' the packrat, has a more, relaxed attitude.
When working with hoarders, Professional Organizers and therapists remind hoarders of their goals. For example, "You will be evicted." Or, "Your spouse is taking the kids and leaving because of the 'stuff' in here." Even, "The amount of stuff in here is causing your son/daughter to have labored breathing; let go of all the stuffed animals." And they can't do it.
Many hoarders can't sleep in their beds or cook in their kitchens or walk thru the hallways without tripping or climbing over stuff. They have a lot of shame about their stuff. They can't stop accumulating things. They live a double life and allow no one inside.
Does this help?
Geralin
Just A Phase Or Is It Chronic
I would say it's chronic. I organize closets and having an infrastructure in the closet should make it easy to keep things neat. Right? No many go right back to the same situation which suggests it's a state of mind.
Sue
Sue,
I wonder if having a new an attractive closet system helps keep people motivated.
When clients like something, they tend to use it more and there is motivation to keep things in place. Organizers see this with filing systems, book cases, magazine baskets, etc.
The new system works for a while but with ADHD clients and hoarders, they seem to crave novelty so once the 'new' wears off, the thrill is gone and a new product is purchased.
Geralin
have CD vs. are CD
One of the most helpful comments I heard recently was to distinguish between "have" and "are". By that I mean, there is a difference between saying, "I am chronically disorganized" versus "I have chronic disorganization." The first statement indicates something that is part of someone...I am single, I am married, I am a teacher, etc. It sounds like a huge transition would have to occur to "overcome" the "condition". The second statement suggests a more transitory and managable situation. It sounds easier to conquer. I am not implying that chronic disorganization will cease in an easy three-step process! But I believe that as professional organizers, we need to empower clients by giving them the appropriate tools to help with their clutter circumstances. Besides the services of a qualified professional organizer, resources might include a therapist, counselor, or life coach. Other sources of help may include a clutter support group or a "clutter buddy" for accountability. Despite the shame that many people feel with their clutter situation, organizing is a skill and not everyone has it. Qualified Professional Organizers will teach their clients organizing skills to help them manage their clutter over the long-term without any judgment of the situation.