Thoughts on Hoarding

[Nicki]

I haven't seen anything posted on this topic on any of the forums I've been on and I've been wondering if people actually think it's an issue or not, dealing with psychology?

I saw an article in the Star Tribune about a woman who was found under all of her things, dead. And so I was wondering if anyone else found this article and what their thoughts were about it

Look forward to hearing back from all of you

[pert -5]

I haven't seen anything posted on this topic on any of the forums I've been on and I've been wondering if people actually think it's an issue or not, dealing with psychology?

Yes, it is a topic dealt with in psychology.  Hoarding, pet obsessions, and such, are all part of a psychological attachment to our possessions.  It is this attachment which is the affliction of the hoarder, and is the issue to be dealt with.

[Nicki]

I'm doing some work with hoarding in my psychology classes. I know its in psych but I was wondering why no one else had brought up the subject. I find it fascinating

[hortonpilot]

My wife  mentioned the condition, known here in OZ as "Hoarding and Squalor."
She sees it in her work.

Any links to this and where the boundaries are?
What distinguishes someone from having a problem and that of a shopkeeper or a farmer who does not have a big enough shed?

very interesting??

Horton

[Nicki]

Well I believe that the line comes where, if the situation that they are in is livable and if the things they have cause them any sort of distress. Also, I think that you need to look at what they actually use. If they use the things that they have, then they wouldn't be considered a hoarder...in a sense. But, if they have a pile of old christmas presents in the corner of their living room, that are still wrapped (couple of years old) and they don't wanna use them, then there might be a problem...

[pljames]

Excellent post all my wife is a hoarder. Five years worth. pljames

[hortonpilot]

Interesting.....
But then some like to live in a clear house that looks like a motel room, so who is ill?

Lack of clutter and books always makes me wonder about the people and how normal they are?
Some like this are not very well!

Horton

[hortonpilot]

I might ad that clutter alone is not enough to qualify for illness?

Horton