Are you a collector or a hoarder?

People with hoarding disorder acquire an excessive number of items and store them in a chaotic manner, often resulting in clutter. — dpa

My grandmother was a ­hoarder. She kept everything from old newspapers to old ­furniture. She never threw out any old clothes. Her room was filled with stuff she hadn’t used in years. Everything is always in a mess. Honestly, I think she would have filled up the whole house if my mother let her. Is hoarding a ­disorder?

Yes, it actually is a disorder.

It is a disorder in which you have a chronic difficulty in throwing away things or possessions because of a belief that you need to save them for future use.

In fact, you become quite ­distressed when you think you have to get rid of these things, or when someone else suggests that you need to get rid of them.

Therefore, you keep accumulating things, regardless of how much they cost.

These things keep accumulating and accumulating, until you have no place to store them.

So they spill over to table tops and counter tops, as well as room corners and walkways, and virtually anywhere you can find a space.

When there is no more room in your house, you keep them in garages and sheds and even vehicles!

Yes, yes, that is my grandmother! You can hardly find a space to walk in her room. She says she is saving all these things because there may be further use for them, and we will all regret it if she throws them away.

Hoarding may range from mild to severe.

In some extreme cases, you can hardly move through the house because the passages are too cramped.

In mild cases, there may not be that much impact to your life or the lives of your loved ones.

But in severe cases, it can impact your daily functioning, and that of the people who live with you.

People with hoarding disorder do not usually see hoarding as a problem.

Is it only old people and women who hoard?

No, people often display hoarding disorder even in their teenage years or early adulthood.

It is more commonly diagnosed in older people because the items have accumulated to such a degree that it is noticed by other people.

It starts when a young person starts accumulating items, and saving them. Their bedroom then becomes very cluttered.

If you are a parent, you think it is because you have taught them to value things.

Besides, they usually don’t have that much money when they are young, and so the ­material accumulation is not so obvious yet.

Then when they get older, they continue to acquire and keep more things, even if they never use them.

The excuse is usually, “But I may need it one day.”

Or “But this is of sentimental value to me!”

When they reach middle age, the hoarding can be quite severe as the things have accumulated from their teenage years!

They may avoid having family or friends over to their home for fear of being criticised.

How will I know if I have a hoarding disorder?

Do you:

> Keep acquiring too many items that you don’t need and don’t have space for?

> Have difficulty letting them go, regardless of their value?

> Have a need to save these items and become upset at the thought of getting rid of them?

> Build up clutter until you ­cannot even use rooms anymore, or when space becomes dirty and unhygienic?

> Have issues planning and organising?

> Avoid or delay making ­decisions?

> Fight with people who try to clean up your clutter?

> Have issues at your work and social circle because of your ­habits?

If you do and these things pile up to an extent that it affects your life and that of your loved ones, it is likely you have a hoarding disorder.

Why do hoarders hoard?

Usually because they believe that the items they save are unique, will come in useful at some point in the future, have some sentimental value, and they feel safe and comforted when surrounded by things.

Hoarders usually say they don’t want to waste anything.

It is also postulated that genetics, a family history of hoarding, and stressful life events can trigger hoarding.

People who hoard usually have trouble making decisions and solving problems.

They can be inattentive and disorganised.

Some develop hoarding after a stressful life event, such as losing a loved one, or divorce.

Is hoarding dangerous?

It can be.

Collected items can be a fire hazard, or if put too high up, can fall and injure people.

It can lead to fights within the family, and possibly divorce.

Your children may not want to live with you or visit you.

If you can’t clean that easily, bacteria and mould may thrive, putting your entire household at risks of diseases.

If you are a tenant, you can get evicted.

Hoarding is also associated with depression, anxiety, ­obsessive compulsiveness, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Dr YLM graduated as a medical doctor, and has been writing for many years on various subjects such as medicine, health, computers and entertainment. For further information, email [e-mail]. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only, and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Neither The Star nor the author gives any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to such information. The Star and the author disclaim all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.