Hoarding: Understanding the 5 Stages and Their Impact on Mental Health

We all have things we cling to like old clothes, childhood mementos, or that one kitchen gadget that we have not used in years but we swear we will use someday. When does collecting things become hoarding and what impact does it have on our mental and physical health? Hoarding is not just cluttering of things; it is an actual disorder that can negatively impact the quality of life and people’s health. In this blog, we will discuss the five different stages of hoarding, why it occurs, and the consequences it can have on your health and wellness.

What Is Hoarding?

Hoarding is a mental health disorder characterized by the persistent difficulty or inability to dispose of objects even if they are useless. This behavior results in people filling up rooms, making it difficult to use rooms for their intended purposes. Individuals suffering from hoarding disorder find it impossible to let go of their things even if they seem useless to other people.

Though hoarding begins with storing emotional or useful items, it quickly becomes a compulsive uncontrollable behavior. This over time results in isolation, depression, anxiety, and health risks such as falling, fires, and unhygienic living conditions. Hoarding is also a condition that impacts not only the affected individual but also their family members as they watch the situation worsen.

The 5 Stages of Hoarding

To realize the severity of hoarding, it is essential to be aware of its stages. Let's examine how it progresses.

1. Clutter Collection (Mild)

At this point, clutter begins to grow in small amounts. It may be in the form of unsorted mail, old newspapers, clothes, or other random items. This clutter is still within control; the person will not feel like they have a problem. However, they might struggle to let go of things they believe they might need later on.

• Impact on Health

This is the stage when mental health begins to suffer. An individual may develop mild stress and embarrassment when they realize that their house is cluttered, especially if someone visits unexpectedly. The clutter can also create obstacles that may lead to minor accidents like tripping.

2. Problematic Piles (Moderate)

In this stage, as hoarding behavior progresses, it gets even worse as the clutter spreads beyond and is not limited to a few rooms only. The piles become more and more and it becomes hard to perform regular activities such as washing dishes, cooking, or cleaning the house. It gets stressful even to discard something as simple as trash. In this stage, the person may begin to stop inviting people over since they feel embarrassed or uncomfortable with the condition of the house.

• Impact on Health

Mental and emotional health is more affected in this stage, specifically, anxiety. There is also the possibility of getting physically hurt, and the clutter may begin to interfere with daily activities like cooking, taking food from the kitchen, or sleeping in the bedroom.

3. Overflowing Rooms (Significant)

At this time, the house is becoming unbearable to live in. Items start to fill not only closets and storage rooms, but also living spaces such as the bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom. Mobility in the house reduces and the person feels frustrated by the circumstances but still does not want to let go of their things. In this situation, the clutter makes it difficult to relax, and the stress level is high.

• Impact on Health

The risks to physical health increase because of polluted air caused by dust and allergies. Emotional distress such as frustration and shame often increases as the individual feels helpless most of the time. During this stage depression and anxiety are common symptoms and the social isolation intensifies as the person no longer invites guests into their home.

4. Restricted Living (Severe)

At this stage, the majority or all of the house is cluttered, making many of the rooms uninhabitable. Pathways may be blocked, so one cannot reach other essential parts of the house such as the kitchen, bathroom, or bedroom. At this point, hoarding behaviors significantly affect the functionality of the individual and they may often become isolated. They may justify their behavior but feel trapped by their inability to change undesirable behavior.

• Impact on Health

This is when the risk of fire incidence, falls and injuries becomes very high. When a person becomes more isolated and stressed, the mental health is on the decline. Social relations deteriorate, and the person feels severe anxiety, depression, or even hoarding-related trauma.

5. Unsafe Living Conditions (Extreme)

This is the most severe stage of hoarding, where living conditions have become unhealthy and hazardous. Whole rooms are filled with things and often contain dangerous waste or spoiled food. The house may be surrounded by pests and a fire or structural damage to the building is high. In this stage, professional assistance is required since the person can no longer handle the situation.

• Impact on Health:

In this stage, mental health is in a critical state experiencing extreme anxiety, depression, and shame. Physical health is significantly affected due to unsanitary conditions, respiratory diseases from dust, mold, or pests, and injuries from falls or accidents. Consequently, the most severe consequences may include eviction from houses or apartments or health interventions because of unsuitable living conditions.

Why Does Hoarding Happen?

Hoarding disorder has its origins in a variety of psychological and emotional factors. Some common causes include:

• Anxiety:

Individuals with anxiety disorders might hold objects to have a sense of safety, or to have some sort of control.

• Depression:

People suffering from depression have a low energy level or motivation to do something like cleaning, so they have clutter.

• Trauma:

Compulsive hoarding is frequently related to particular situations, such as the death of a loved one or a change in one's life. Holding onto things may seem like a method of coping with the trauma.

• Perfectionism:

The fear of making the wrong decision about discarding objects leads the person to keep everything because regretting a decision about throwing things is terrifying for them.

• OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder):

Some people with OCD have obsessions of hoarding things because they may need them in the future, or fear they will need them.

The Health Impact of Hoarding

Hoarding disorder is not limited to the spaces of living it is a severe detriment to mental health and physical health. Here are some ways hoarding affects overall health:

• Increased stress and anxiety:

Living in a cluttered environment puts the person under constant stress and anxiety, as the person feels overwhelmed by their surroundings.

• Respiratory issues:

Cobwebs, dust, mold traces, and insect infestations are frequent in cluttered houses and can lead to breathing problems, allergies, and other respiratory issues.

• Injuries and accidents:

Hoarding creates risky conditions, with a significant risk of tripping, falling, or getting injured.

• Poor hygiene and sanitation:

Extreme hoarding makes houses filthy, which can lead to illnesses, infections, and even pest infestations.

• Social isolation:

Hoarders often avoid social interactions in most cases due to embarrassment or fear of being judged, thus becoming lonely and their mental health deteriorates.

How to Seek Help for Hoarding Disorder

Every human should understand that there is help if they or someone they know is struggling with hoarding behaviors. Hoarding disorder is a treatable mental health condition, and people can regain control with the help of the right support. Here are some steps to consider:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT):

CBT is one of the most used therapies for hoarding disorder. It helps people change their perceptions of their possessions and guides them on how to decide what to keep and what to discard.

• Professional organizers:

Professional help for decluttering and organizing the home can be beneficial because it sets the tone for how it will be done.

• Support groups:

Sometimes it is helpful to speak with other people who know the challenges of hoarding. Support groups provide emotional support as well as practical help.

• Family and friends:

At other times, family members can assist by offering moral support when cleaning up the house and removing clutter.

Conclusion:

Hoarding disorder is a serious and chronic condition that has an impact on an individual’s mental and physical health. Knowing the five stages of hoarding will help one recognize the signs early enough to seek assistance before the problem gets to an unmanageable level. Whether it's mild clutter or severe hoarding, treating the behavior is critical to enhance your overall well-being. If you notice signs of hoarding in yourself or someone you care about, contact a mental health professional immediately. Early intervention can significantly improve health, safety, and quality of life.