Most of us have friends or family members who aren’t too pleased to let go off things for fear that they might need them someday. Some people take this habit to extreme lengths – their homes are full of unnecessary things like old newspapers and magazines, household supplies, food, clothes, plastic bags, etc. This becomes so much of a problem that it could lead to unhealthy and dangerous conditions.
Why Do People Hoard:
More often than not, hoarding is a symptom of another underlying problem. For example, people with obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD), Obsessive-compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD), attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) and depression are more likely to hoard things. Usually, people hoard because of an irrational fear of throwing away something useful. Some feel an emotional attachment to the things they keep. And some find it difficult to make decisions (about discarding or keeping things) or are terrible procrastinators thereby ending up hoarding everything. Some others have undergone emotional trauma; they prefer to keep things that remind them of happier times or people they love.
Symptoms of a Hoarder:
An inability to throw things or experiencing anxiety when someone attempts to throw them is one of the many symptoms exhibited by hoarders. Such people are distressed or overwhelmed when asked to choose between things they would like to keep or discard. Some people are indecisive about organizing things – they do not know what to keep and where to keep.
What to do:
Treatment for other underlying issues like depression and OCD usually helps people manage their hoarding habits. Medications may be prescribed, or you may be advised cognitive behavioral therapy. The treatment involves helping you with decision making and resisting the urge to acquire things.
As for the house, the only solution to clean the house is to sell it as is. These homes have been neglected for long leading to expensive repairs. We buy houses in Milwaukee as is – you don’t have to worry about pre or after sale cleaning or repairs.