Understanding Hoarding, Clutter and Collecting: What's the Difference?
Welcome to my introductory blog, designed as a resource you can return to whenever you need guidance or support.
What is hoarding behaviour? What is hoarding disorder? Do you know the difference between a collector, a clutterer and someone experiencing hoarding behaviour? And why do our possessions often play such a powerful role in our lives?
Understanding the answers to these questions can be the first step towards creating a more manageable living space and, ultimately, a calmer mind.
In this article, I'll explore some of the meanings and categories associated with our possessions and behaviours. My aim is to help you identify whether you relate more closely to cluttering, collecting, hoarding behaviour, or hoarding disorder. By gaining a better understanding of these terms, you can begin to reflect on your own experiences and determine what kind of support may be most helpful.
Hoarding Disorder vs Hoarding Behaviour
It's important to understand that hoarding disorder and hoarding behaviour are not the same thing.
Hoarding Disorder is a recognised mental health condition that appears in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Its inclusion is positive because it acknowledges the significant impact hoarding can have on a person's wellbeing and allows healthcare professionals to provide more targeted support.
Hoarding Behaviour, however, can sometimes occur alongside other medical or psychological conditions, such as PTSD, ADHD or certain types of brain injury. In some cases, when the underlying condition is appropriately treated, the hoarding behaviour may reduce or disappear.
Many people do not fully realise the extent of their difficulties until clutter begins to significantly impact their daily life. Equally, many of us can relate to holding onto possessions that have special meaning. Understanding why we keep things is an important part of understanding our relationship with our belongings.
Why Do We Hold Onto Possessions?
To keep things simple, we can generally group the reasons people keep possessions into three common categories:
1. Sentimental Value
Items that carry emotional meaning or memories.
Examples include:
- Family photographs
- Gifts from loved ones
- Family heirlooms
- Personal keepsakes
2. Intrinsic Value
Items we enjoy because of their appearance or aesthetic qualities.
Examples include:
- Artwork
- Decorative ornaments
- Lamps
- Collectible display items
3. Instrumental Value
Items we keep because we believe they may be useful in the future.
Examples include:
- Spare household items
- Duplicate purchases
- Old equipment
- Materials that "might come in handy one day"
This is often a category people mention when discussing hoarding behaviour. For example, after my grandmother passed away, we discovered that many cupboards contained two of almost every canned or dry food item because having spares felt reassuring and practical.
Exercise One: Exploring Your Attachment to Possessions
Find a quiet place where you can reflect without interruption. You may wish to keep a journal or notebook nearby.
Think of one item you've owned for a very long time.
Now write down five reasons why you've held onto it.
The purpose of this exercise is not to judge yourself. It's simply to increase awareness of the emotional, practical or personal reasons behind your attachment to possessions.
My Example
I still own several Mixmag magazines from my early twenties.
- My favourite DJ appeared on the cover of the first issue I bought.
- They remind me of an important period in my life.
- They act as a time capsule and bring back vivid memories.
- I enjoy the experience of reading a physical magazine rather than viewing content online.
- I find it difficult to part with items that feel nostalgic.
Take a moment to reflect on the reasons you've written down. Were any of them surprising?
What Is Chronic Disorganisation?
Another term you may come across is chronic disorganisation.
People experiencing chronic disorganisation often want to organise their living spaces and may make repeated attempts to do so, but struggle to maintain systems or complete tasks successfully.
This might look like:
- Starting organisation projects but not finishing them
- Becoming easily distracted
- Having difficulty creating storage systems
- Frequently misplacing possessions
This can result in cluttered living environments, but it differs from hoarding disorder because the primary difficulty is organisation rather than letting go of possessions.
For some individuals, chronic disorganisation may be associated with conditions such as ADHD.
A Quick Self-Reflection Quiz
Answer each statement with Yes, Sometimes, or No.
- I often buy items I already own because I've lost track of what I have at home.
- I frequently lose important items such as keys, paperwork or appointments due to disorganisation.
- I've tried organisation systems and decluttering methods, but struggle to maintain them.
- Physical or mental fatigue makes it difficult to address clutter in my home.
- I feel overwhelmed and don't know where to begin when tackling my possessions.
- I become distressed when thinking about deciding what to keep and what to let go of.
- I have strong emotional attachments to most of my possessions, including items that others may not view as significant.
There are no right or wrong answers. The purpose of this quiz is simply to encourage reflection and help identify whether you may benefit from additional support.
Understanding Your Results
This quiz is not a diagnostic tool, but it may help you identify patterns in your relationship with possessions and your living environment.
If you answered "Yes" or "Often" to Statements 1, 2 and 3...
You may identify with chronic disorganisation.
People experiencing chronic disorganisation often want an organised home and may have tried numerous systems and strategies, but struggle to maintain them consistently. Difficulties with focus, planning, organisation and keeping track of possessions can make everyday life feel overwhelming.
If Statements 4 and 5 resonate with you...
You may be experiencing hoarding behaviour.
Sometimes life circumstances, physical health conditions, mental health challenges, stress, grief or other factors can make it difficult to manage possessions and clutter. In these situations, addressing the underlying cause can often help reduce the hoarding behaviour over time.
If Statements 6 and 7 feel most familiar...
You may recognise some characteristics associated with hoarding disorder.
Strong emotional attachments to possessions and significant distress when faced with discarding items are common features of hoarding disorder. If these feelings are having a substantial impact on your daily life, seeking professional support may be beneficial.
Remember…
Everyone's situation is unique. You may identify with one category, several categories, or parts of all three. The purpose of this quiz is not to label you, but to encourage self-reflection and help you understand what kind of support may be most appropriate for you.
The first step towards change is awareness, and by completing this exercise, you've already taken that first step. 😊
The first step towards change is awareness. The second is asking for support.
If this article has resonated with you, please know that you don't have to face these challenges alone. Whether you're struggling with clutter, chronic disorganisation, hoarding behaviour or hoarding disorder, support is available in a safe, confidential and non-judgemental environment.
Get in touch today for a free, friendly chat about how I can help you take the next step towards a calmer, more organised home. 😊