Have you been watching “Hoarders” and wondering whether you, or someone you know, might be a hoarder?
This week, I bring you a handy chart that will allow you to see at a glance the main differences between hoarding, chronic disorganization, and collecting.
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Chronic Disorganization |
Hoarding |
Collecting |
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The individual has been disorganized most or all of his or her life. |
The individual may project emotional attachments onto specific objects and feel driven by many motivations to acquire and save specific items. |
The individual may value and categorize his or her belongings, often showcasing them in display cases or archives. |
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Efforts to improve level of organization have ultimately failed. |
Hoarding involves the physical activity of purchasing or bringing unneeded items into a home. |
Collectors value and categorize their belongings, often showcasing them in display cases or archives. |
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Disorganization causes negative feelings or consequences on a daily or near-daily basis. |
Most hoarders do not appear to suffer (though many admit to feelings of shame and isolation), but there are irrefutable health and environmental side effects. |
Collectors often find joy or contentment in the company of their treasure. |
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Professional Organizers are not therapists and this chart should in no-way be used as a diagnostic tool for determining who is and who isn’t hoarding. It’s nothing more than a quick way to help someone who wants the ‘highlights’ in an easy-to-look-at chart.
The chart does mention the bringing in of items but does not specifically address the issue of the removal or letting go of what would typically be considered garbage. This is a biggie to me when helping someone clarify where their behaviour would fall on the spectrum. Would you be so kind as to describe the attitude/feelings towards “trash” in each catagory.
Thanks
Karen, Stay tuned for a future post about attitudes toward letting go of stuff by hoarders, collectors and chronically disorganized types. I’m oversimplifying this but, to answer your question, people with a hoarding disorder hang onto things of little or very little value or usefulness. Everything has value to someone who hoards. That is not true with a collector. Thanks for asking the question + commenting.
Thanks for this. I am frugal, coupon shop a lot, and do stockpile – I get accused of hoarding, but it is a survival strategy. Its not all over my house, and it doesnt go to waste. I am chronically disorganized, and lose track of paper. I am dysgraphic, so computers were invented just in time for people like me.
I do purchase unneeded items when the store pays me to do so. These I usually donate or give away.
I guess it looks weird to purchase 20 boxes of cereal when you live alone, but when it is a dollar a box, or it comes with free milk (which freezes) and it is a standard part of my diet, it does not expire and goes quickly. Thats not hoarding – I am actually better organized with that stockpile of food and supplies than with my papers!!!!
Ms. Thomas, is it possible that your three related categories are actually all aspects of the same behavioral issue? I’ve always had an extreme problem with clutter, I’m a recently ex-hoarder (believe it or not, after six decades on this earth, watching “Hoarders” enabled me not only to identify my problem but begin to solve it) and I most definitely have the collector’s impulse, though perfectionism has led me to abandon most of my collections in an incomplete state. Frankly, I believe that Chronic Disorganization, Hoarding and Collecting are very intimately related. Jeff Broido
Congratulations Jeff!
It’s wonderful to hear that you are an ‘ex-hoarder’ and even more exciting to hear that watching “Hoarders” enabled you to identify and solve your problem. I am AMAZED at some of the notes I’m receiving from TV viewers who say similar things. I’m even more amazed when someone, featured on the show, says that after seeing their home and behavior on TV, it was a life-changing event and they reached out for help.
I agree with you and do think these 3 topics are intimately related and exist on a continuum. Jeff, this continuum is one of the things about hoarding that interest me most. I’m absolutely fascinated with my clients who deal with these particular challenges and I’m always curious and grateful that they are exceptionally generous when it comes to sharing their thoughts and beliefs about their belongings.
If you don’t mind my asking, what types of collections did you have and are they/were they valuable to other people?
Again, if you don’t mind sharing, would you tell me at what point do think a collection is complete? Has anything else in your life changed (emotionally, financially, eating/sleeping habits?)
Thanks so much for your note and I’m looking forward to hearing from you again.
I agree with Anonymous that the three categories can overlap. I sort of fall into parts of each.
Where do I fit into your scheme of things ?? ….. I can’t get rid of ENOUGH ?? I do a ’50-Thing Fling’ after EVERY episode of HOARDERS….. My Dream World consists of my lying in a borrowed bed, wearing a borrowed nightshirt,and dying owning NOTHING. Do i need help ??
The “opposite of hoarding,” or the phenomenon of asceticism is or can be a spiritual practice, lifestyle choice or done for preparation/training in some cases. It’s akin to the simplicity movement, which is of great interest to many. It too, like hoarding, exists on a spectrum from mild to extreme self-deprivation and is only a problem if it interferes with an individual’s personal wellbeing, in my opinion.
I’ve seen this lifestyle in siblings of hoarders and I’ve heard recently of another organizer who saw it with one of her client’s as a reaction to trauma.
Is there any chance that you discard things to protect yourself from having nothing to lose –as in if you get rid of stuff, no one can take things from you?
Or, is it possible that you choose to have very few belongings as a response to chronic disorganization; less things = fewer choices and a simpler life. For example, if you only own one pair of black shoes, you never have to decide to wear brown leather loafers, gray boots or sneakers?
I’m curious and hope to hear back from you.
BTW, you might be interested in reading the book: Material World, A Global Family Portrait.
I’m reading it right now; it dovetails with this conversation.
Thanks for your post. It’s an interesting topic.
Geralin, you referred me to Janine Adams and she is wonderful. We both were featured in a segment this Wednesday. It was intimidating but the reporter and cameraman were both very kind and that made it easier. I’d would like your thoughts on it/me if you can do so. If you can I’ll send you the link unless Janine has sent it to you already.
I remember you and I did indeed refer you to Janine Adams, CPO-CD, owner of Peace of Mind Organizing, LLC in St. Louis MO I knew you would be in good hands with Janine. Our methods are very similar and we have the same training from NSGCD.org.
I posted a tweet on Twitter but left out your identifying information because you initially said you felt ashamed about your situation. But, now that it’s been aired I must say that I thought the reporter got it right–you do not want to be labeled a hoarder and he never did that. He also did a good overall NOT sensationalizing the story.
Janine, as I knew she would be, was her normal-excellent-calm self.
Now, about you — I think you are exceptionally poised under the conditions and that is not an easy thing to do so congrats are in order. I’m very happy that you are reaching out for help and attempting to change your life. I wish you the best of luck and once again, I think you are in very skilled hands with Janine.
**If you are reading this post here is a link to watch the news clip: http://bit.ly/dbzQS0 and
here is a link to Janine Adams’ website: http://www.peaceofmindorganizing.com/about_janine
What type of collections do you have? Do you sell/trade things from the collection? Feel free to elaborate on your chronic disorganization too.
Geralin, I’m so grateful that you referred LuAnn to me. It’s been a pleasure to know her and I agree that she was very poised on camera, as she is in real-life. I think that by appearing on the news segment we gave some hope and clarity to some people who needed it. Thanks again, LuAnn, for agreeing to be part of the story.
Janine