Hoarding is considered a significant problem if:
- the amount of clutter interferes with everyday living – for example, the person is unable to use their kitchen or bathroom and cannot access rooms
- the clutter is causing significant distress or negatively affecting the quality of life of the person or their family – for example, they become upset if someone tries to clear the clutter and their relationship suffers
Mental health problems associated with hoarding include:
- severe depression
- psychotic disorders, such as Schizoprenia
- OCD – Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Someone who has a hoarding disorder may typically display the following:
- keep or collect items that may have little or no monetary value
- find it hard to categorise/organise items
- have difficulties making decisions
- struggle to manage everyday tasks
- become extremely attached to items
- have poor relationships with family or friends
If you are experiencing these issues, at Castle Counselling Services we can offer you a safe and secure space in which to explore them, and to find a way of moving forward. We can offer CBT methods of change which will assist you in understanding what makes it difficult to throw things away and the reasons why the clutter has built up.
