{"id":7719,"date":"2019-07-03T05:26:35","date_gmt":"2019-07-03T05:26:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=7719"},"modified":"2021-11-09T15:42:56","modified_gmt":"2021-11-09T15:42:56","slug":"14-horrific-facts-you-didnt-know-about-hoarding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-horrific-facts-you-didnt-know-about-hoarding\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Horrific Facts You Didn’t Know About Hoarding"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Hoarding is the tendency to hang onto items that you don\u2019t really need anymore, potentially filling your home and making it very difficult to move around in. Hoarding is something a lot of us do to varying degrees, and that perhaps you\u2019ve thought of as a kind of \u2018cute character quirk\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, though, hoarding is a serious issue that can get you into serious trouble. Not only does hoarding ruin your home and prevent you from enjoying your space, but it can also result in all kinds of further issues \u2013 these include psychological issues, health issues, and even environmental concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When hoarding is taken to its logical extreme, it can actually be extremely damaging. And the bad news is that very often what starts as a \u2018character quirk\u2019 develops further as you age. Read on to learn more, and to motivate yourself to make a change!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. You May Have Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

That fun little tendency you have to cling onto things? The trait that a lot of friends tease you for? \u201cOh, they\u2019re such a Monica!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well actually, there is a good chance this is a form of psychological illness: obsessive-compulsive disorder. This condition, also known as OCD<\/a>, is defined by the need to perform specific actions or engage in specific behaviors in a repetitive and compulsive manner \u2013 you might feel extremely uncomfortable or anxious until you repeat that behavior. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Common examples include people who continuously, repeatedly wash their hands, or people who need to turn light switches on and off repeatedly.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OCD can eventually lead to more serious issues and prevent you from living a normal life, and the more you indulge the behavior, the more likely you are to make it more severe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. It\u2019s Extremely Common<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You might be feeling a little bit guilty about your hoarding <\/a>problem at this point, and it\u2019s only going to get worse as we continue reading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But before you beat yourself up, know that this is not an uncommon problem. In fact, it affects a whopping 19 million Americans. It is also far more common in the Western world and in the US specifically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s worse is that this is becoming more <\/em>common. This might be partly due to the pressures of our society. We are constantly being persuaded to make purchases in order to feel good. We are constantly told that the number of items we possess will in some way be reflective of our success and our worth. At the same time, we\u2019re encouraged not to \u2018waste\u2019 things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is something of a vicious circle, and it\u2019s important we break this cycle by learning that we don\u2019t need \u2018stuff\u2019 in order to have fun or to feel good. The sooner you can part ways with some of those items, the quicker you\u2019ll feel happier and on top of things.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. It\u2019s Linked to Obesity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Being an extreme hoarder means you are also more likely to become obese<\/a>. There are several reasons for this. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One reason is that having a home full of clutter makes it harder to move \u2013 even making it harder to access certain parts of the home. With less space, you are more likely to be less mobile. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, both OCD and obesity are linked with impulse control issues, potentially having a similar route cause. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then there\u2019s the fact that untidiness and clutter can lead to stress and even depression \u2013 more on this in a moment. When you consider those factors, it\u2019s no surprise that you might find yourself staying in more, eating more, and letting your body decline as your home does too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. It Could be a Brain Disorder<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s now thought that the tendency toward excessive hoarding might be caused by a faulty gene, which in turn changes the way that the brain develops. This might be caused by a genetic vestigial leftover. In short, it would have once been very advantageous to hang onto items that might at some point have some value or worth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Back then, we were talking about food supplies and maybe a few stones that could be turned into weapons. The very same impulses that helped us survive back then though, are highly destructive in a world where we have a huge surplus\u2026 everything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s actually a support group for people with serious hoarding tendencies, which may be helpful, but also demonstrates just what a serious matter this is. Fortunately, it also tells us that while the condition might originally be genetic<\/a>, that is not to say that there aren\u2019t things you can do to help get it back under control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. It\u2019s Unhygienic<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you thought that this was a harmless little character quirk, then think again. Actually, hoarding can have a number of serious consequences. One of the biggest of these is the issue of hygiene<\/a>. In one study, 38% of hoarding cases were found to lead to \u2018filthy environments unfit for living\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may think right now that your hoarding is nowhere near that bad, and that you\u2019re off the hook. But keep in mind that this issue has a tendency to get worse and to progress. If you hang on to a few too many things right now, then chances are that this is going to develop into a more serious problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s because each time you don\u2019t throw something out, or you cling to something you probably shouldn\u2019t, you will end up reinforcing the neural pathways that led to that behavior in the first place. In other words, you become more and more prone to hoarding, the more you hoard!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And thus you might well end up like the people in this study. With 45% having blocked access to their own fridge, 42% being unable to reach the sink or bathtub, and 10% being unable to reach the toilet! Watch a few videos about hoarders and you will see scenarios where they have piles of cigarettes in their own homes or items of food so moldy they\u2019ve turned into white liquid. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stop the tendency before it takes control of you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. It Can Get You Into Trouble<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another way that severe hoarding just \u2018isn\u2019t okay, is in the way it can eventually lead to financial and legal difficulties. This is because you will be unable to locate important documents and forms. You might even lose money or your wallet, or fail to open the post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s more, is that as you collect more and more things \u2013 and likely buy more and more things \u2013 you will spend more and more money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How many of us constantly feel driven and stressed by the fact that we \u2018need\u2019 a big-screen TV or fancy clothes? How often have you damaged your finances by buying things you can\u2019t really afford? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you can learn to be more minimal, you can reduce this pressure <\/a>and feel a lot more on top of everything. You will have more space, but also more time and energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. It\u2019s Wasteful<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s not just you who gets harmed by your hoarding, it\u2019s also actually very damaging to the environment <\/a>and to the general population. The more things you collect, the less there is for others to use and enjoy. By hanging onto all your old clothes, you aren\u2019t passing anything on for charity and ultimately, your home becomes akin to a landfill site. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re just as bad at adding new things to your growing collections, then this problem will be exacerbated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And when you consider the scale of the problem across the US, it\u2019s easy to see that we are simply consuming and wasting far more than we need to and that a lot of the world\u2019s problems would be solved if we could all live a slightly more minimal existence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. It Can Lead to Stress and Depression<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You might think that you love all those things that you\u2019re clinging onto and that they are helping you to live a happier life. In fact, though, you probably would be far happier <\/em>if you could learn to let go. The truth is that hoarding can cause a lot of stress and may even lead to depression<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are many reasons that this can happen. For one, hoarding is bad for your health, which makes stress and depression more likely. Then there\u2019s the fact that hoarding leads to an untidy environment. This tends to have the effect of making us feel stressed and making it harder to relax. In an unclean space, most of us will experience an elevated heart rate and a general sense of stress. The brain likes order and likes to be able to easily survey its surroundings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Likewise, hoarding can lead to isolation, as you may find yourself too embarrassed to invite people around or spend time with others. The quality of your clothing and presentation will likely be negatively affected too, making you less inclined to go out either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Hoarders are Perfectionists<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Do you know people that hoard, or maybe you have a mild hoarding behavior yourself? Hoarding is actually a mental disorder<\/a>, and it expresses itself in different ways in people. Some hoarders find themselves as perfectionists, and they see life as very black-and-white; it’s all or nothing for these individuals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, this perfectionist mentality comes back to bite them. Since hoarders find it hard to keep up with their hoarding, they eventually give up trying to put everything in its perfect place. The thought of having everything in its perfect place is too much to bear, and they decide to give up, choosing to live in squalor than have a less-than-perfect hoard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s also important to note that what the average person considers perfect might not apply to the hoarder, or it might mean something completely different. To some hoarders, perfection means adjusting the object until it’s just right. That might look out of place to the average person, but it makes sense to the hoarder for whatever reason.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Hoarding Is Hereditary or a Sign of Trauma<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

According to research, medical and behavioral experts believe that hoarding is possibly a genetic <\/a>predisposition in some individuals. Therefore, it’s common for hoarding to run in the family, and if the children exhibit the behavior, it may be present in one or both parents. The affected individual’s siblings may also show signs of the action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some researchers believe that hoarding might have a link to past trauma. In a study of people with a hoarding disorder, many experienced child abuse or neglect in the past at another person’s hands. However, it’s important to note that abuse is not always present. The affected individual might develop a hoarding disorder after experiencing trauma at any stage of their life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All it takes is one trigger to set off the behavior in a person with a predisposition to hoarding or OCD behaviors. The affected individual may have everything in their life going for them, and it seems like there is no apparent trigger causing the behavior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Hoarders Do It for the Memories<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In a study of hoarders, results show that many of them feel they have bad memories. As a result, they develop a distrust of their memory<\/a>, and they start to think they need to keep all their valuables visibly in front of them to ensure they know where everything is at all times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some hoarders might leave markers like papers in piles of scrap to remember where they put things. Think of it like a simple filing system that only they understand. In many cases, it appears like the hoarder keeps the contents of their mind in their house in physical format.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We’re sure you heard the saying that a tidy home shows a tidy mind, or something similar. If that’s the case, it shows the extent of the issue facing the hoarder’s mind. Most hoarders start with small collections and build them over the years. They might collect things that you and I think are rubbish and place severe emphasis on the item’s future value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Hoarders Hoard for Different Reasons<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hoarders hoard for all types of reasons, and few are the same. Some hoarders think of their hoard as a physical extension of themselves. It’s a way that they show the world a physical expression <\/a>of their worth. It’s as if they’re saying that their hoard dictates their value in life and society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hoarders that think of their hoard as an extension of their personality collect items that connect to their lives or characters. For instance, you might remember the fun you had at a McDonalds Play Place as a kid. In an attempt to recreate the feeling and nostalgia of going to McDonald’s’, you might decide to collect the Happy Meal toys. That might not seem like a big deal, but after a few decades of collecting the toys, you’ll have nowhere in your house to put them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People with hoarding disorders also put an imaginary value on their hoard. In our example, the affected individual might think the McDonald’s toys will have collectible value in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. There’s a Link Between Hoarding and ADHD<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Medical science thinks there’s a link between hoarding behavior and ADHD<\/a>. More than a third of people with a hoarding disorder also suffer from the effects of ADHD in their lives. Research shows that many hoarders have a hard time making important decisions in their lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes, the effect may be so bad that they find it challenging to pay attention and plan activities. The affected individual struggles with prioritizing the tasks in their life, and they think that everything has equal importance, from washing the dishes to filing their taxes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The similarities between ADHD and hoarding behavior are eerie, to say the least. If you think you might have a hoarding disorder, visit your doctor for a diagnosis. Following the exam, your doctor will also check you for signs of ADHD.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doctors can treat ADHD using drugs that reduce the brain’s natural tendency to wander and lose concentration. These drugs help restore the brain’s chemical balance, allowing the person to break self-destructive habits like hoarding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Hoarding Only Became a Medical Term in 2013<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It might surprise you to learn that hoarding is a defined medical issue. Hoarding became a medical condition back in 2013, and millions of people currently have a hoarding diagnosis in countries around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most doctors previously thought of the condition as a side-branch of OCD. However, recent research exposed other evidence that supports its need for categorization as a standalone condition. People with OCD find that their OCD obsessions make them feel anxious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes, the actions that individuals need to take to calm that anxiety <\/a>is not pleasant. However, people that hoard tend to take joy in the experience and their activities. Hoarders claim they love the thrill of discovering something that could have potential value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many hoarders will pick up old scrap furniture people throw away and claim they can restore it and sell it for profit. However, their delusions often result in nothing, with the scrap furniture sitting in their hoard and never seeing any refinishing tools or varnish.<\/p>\n\n\n\r\n

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