Unpacking Behavioural Hoarding

When we hear the term 'hoarding,' we often picture extreme clutter, but the issue is far more complex than simple disorganisation.   

Specifically, Hoarding Disorder is defined as a mental health condition characterised by a persistent and intense need to save a large number of possessions, regardless of their actual value, and significant distress when attempting to discard them. This behaviour results in a degree of clutter that can significantly impair daily functioning [1].  

Treatment for Hoarding Disorder is often challenging as the individual who hoards may fail to see their behaviour as a problem or fully grasp its impact on their lives and that of their loved ones. In addition, those who recognise the issue often delay or refuse to seek help due to intense feelings of shame, humiliation, or guilt surrounding their home environment [2].  

TOUCH Mental Wellness offers valuable insights into Hoarding Disorder, along with practical tips for managing it.  

WHY DO PEOPLE HOARD?  

Past trauma or ongoing mental health struggles: A person who has a deep sense of insecurity and a desperate need for control may struggle with hoarding. Hoarding becomes their way of coping with these feelings by providing a sense of security and control over their environment.   

Loneliness and social isolation: Loneliness can lead to a sense of emptiness and a need to fill a void. For someone struggling with loneliness, the act of acquiring and accumulating items may serve as a direct, physical attempt to fill the emptiness and make their life feel less ‘vacant’, which offers a temporary distraction and sense of purpose.   

Emotional attachment to items: For some individuals, emotional attachment to items may stem from an underlying emotional void, such as loneliness, grief, or lack of social support. The items they hoard become emotional anchors, providing a sense of comfort, security, and connection in the absence of human relationships.   

Sentimental value: The items they’re hoarding could hold sentimental value, reminding them of cherished memories or loved ones. The fear of losing memories or connections to loved ones can also make it difficult to let go of those items.    

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS TO WATCH OUT FOR?   

1. Living areas are congested and cluttered by possessions, making it difficult or impossible to use those spaces for their intended purpose (e.g. the bed can't be slept in, the kitchen can't be cooked in) [3].  

2. There is a persistent and compulsive urge to acquire, save, or keep items [3].  

3.  Individuals experience distress and difficulty when parting with possessions, often regardless of whether they are needed or have real value [3].  

If you have family members or loved ones struggling with hoarding, these are some questions that may help you assess the severity of the situation.  

1. Does their hoarding significantly impact their life, affecting their ability to work or function daily?  
2. Would decluttering cause them significant distress or even a panicked reaction?  
3. Do these hoarding behaviours feel uncontrollable?  

In some cases, the onset of hoarding behaviour is often associated with significant emotional stressors, including major losses like divorce or the passing of a loved one [1].  

Persistent low mood, racing thoughts, and panic attacks are often symptoms of co-occurring mental health conditions, such as depression or anxiety disorders, that frequently accompany Hoarding Disorder and need to be addressed along with it.  

HOW DO WE SUPPORT LOVED ONES STRUGGLING WITH HOARDING? 

Understand the underlying reasons: While hoarding behaviour can often cause frustration for family members due to hygiene and safety concerns, it’s crucial to approach the situation with empathy and seek to understand the underlying reasons for their behaviour.   

Occupy their time with meaningful activities: Encouraging the individual to occupy their time with meaningful activities may help address the void that hoarding behaviours may fill, while simultaneously helping them develop healthier habits and connections.  

Seek support: Hoarding Disorder is typically progressive, and symptoms tend to worsen over time without treatment, leading to greater accumulation, increased distress, and more severe impairment of living spaces [2]. If you or your loved one begins to notice some symptoms, it’s vital to seek help early to prevent hoarding from getting worse. A therapist or counsellor can work with you to explore and address the underlying reasons behind the hoarding behaviour and manage the associated impulses.   

If your loved one is resistant to seeking help, it may help to reach out to a counsellor for guidance and support on how best to intervene and encourage them to accept help and support.   

TOUCH Counselling & Psychological Services offers support for those who are distressed. You may call the TOUCHline at 1800 377 2252 (Mondays to Fridays, 9am to 6pm) to speak with a counsellor.     

As an advocate of mental wellness, TOUCH Mental Wellness (TMW) has been organising mental wellness awareness mass runs, talks and workshops since 2015. It works closely with corporations to conduct mental wellness talks with an aim of equipping employees with handles to cope with stress and help them build resilience. It also specialises in mental wellness awareness and educational programmes for schools. In 2018, TMW launched a Virtual Reality (VR) Immersive Experience on depression as part of its school-based mental wellness programme, Do You M.I.N.D.?. It also launched Singapore’s first-ever VR Gaming Experience to educate students on anxiety in a fun and engaging way.     

Sources 
1. “Hoarding Disorder” Cleveland Clinic, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17682-hoarding-disorder 
2. “Hoarding Disorder” NHS, https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/hoarding-disorder/ “Hoarding Disorder” NUHS, https://www.nuhs.edu.sg/patient-care/find-a-condition/hoarding-disorder