Breaking down the psychology behind hoarding

Many of us know what hoarding is, but what do we really know about why it happens?

[phillyarchdad]

Such a generous act for Dawn to open her home. I have a family member who hoards and Dawn’s story gives me a perspective that allows me be more compassionate toward them.

[BrandonZickefoose]

Thank you for posting this. It's really important for others to understand how this works: Hoarding is 100% Emotional and Psychological.

Its not about clearing out physical items, its about a VALID EMOTIONAL TRAUMA that has been dismissed. Hoarders feel unseen, unheard, and dismissed by others.

Loss of status, loss of job, and no one to take care of them. It takes YEARS of emotional abuse to get into a place of hoarding. It doesn't just happen overnight.

Hoarding is a sign of emotional neglect and the hoarder is the victim of the trauma. Hoarders are further victimized by being made to feel ashamed of their hoarding, further isolating and insulting the hoarder. Its literally kicking someone when they're down emotionally.

Hoarders often feel unsafe because the past trauma is residual and still resonating within them. And hoarders often feel that life has no meaning or purpose because its lost all of its luster and shine, due to the depression and loneliness.

Use empathy and compassion when dealing with a hoarder. They're often some of the strongest minds who have fallen so very far. All they want is someone to be compassionate and understanding.

[lindabb]

My Mom was a hoarder and became so angry and dangerously unclean. But if we talked about it she stopped communication. Very heartbreaking.

[kristinab]

Brave and generous woman to relate her experience with others in such a public way. 💜

[sashanealand]

hoarders are building a safe wall around themselves and a world of their own. I know because I was a hoarder as a child. When I moved out of my childhood home I had my own private space and didnt need to build it with stuff anymore.

[marionrobertson]

My mom has this issue and honestly I have lost empathy for it. When I was a kid I was never allowed to have friends over because the house was "messy" but I would often spend hours cleaning rooms to have it destroyed within a week so got fed up. I would also get told off for throwing stuff away, even stuff like plastic bags, containers from everything and egg cartons, junk she said is reusable. I am all for sustainability and not wasting but its another level. Obviously I am not living with her anymore but its still an issue and other family members are concerned. I thought since she retired she would take care of it like she promised but theres been no improvement and she bought a bigger house which I think only enables it. The garage is full to the brim with stuff including broken furniture she picks up off the curb to transform and put idk where since the house is full. I think she is a level 3 but becoming a 4 since there is so much clutter in rooms it is impossible to clean them. Dust and grime are becoming huge issues. Several family members have stepped in over the years to help organize but our time is wasted as its back to square one in a few months. She gets super defensive, refuses to throw anything away and told them they did not organize well so she could not find anything. I decided to no longer care or try to help at this point, I ignore it now and refuse to even help clean until the clutter is taken care of.

[willcalhoun]

My cousin is a hoarder, and she keeps buying new things, you can’t move around in her house, her garage is a disaster, her house is probably not more than 700sq feet and it’s packed, she’s a coupon compulsive shopper, and she believes that she’s stockpiling for the end times.

[annatheawesome]

Isolation and stressful jobs always cause piles to accumulate. SAD also makes things harder to let go during the cold season. Once spring hits its like the mind can think clearer and it's easier to let go and problem solve.

[L-ey]

I had a neighbor who was a hoarder. She was a medical tech who made good money, but she blew it all hauling home stuff. She justified her purchases because they were from thrift stores, flea markets and yard sales. There were sofas stacked on top of each other in the bedroom. You could not see 25 feet from the front door to the window in the living room. This was a one bedroom apartment. It was really sad.

[Kennedykate]

I am so proud of Dawn! We ALL have our thing!! Good on you sister!! 🎉🎉

[nickbarber]

Trauma and attachment.
It''s that simple.

[brendapeter]

God bless Dawn & all who are supporting her!

[hans]

My neighbour is a hoarder. She's literally next door. we live in rent studios, share the terrace. We are just an opposite. I love clean environment. so, I clean everyday. she's been always aggresive toward me and really make everything about her. She always complained to the landlord accusing me make her uncomfortable. I never talk to her nor greet her, never complained about her but she always point her finger on me doing this and that to her which actually her makr things up. Its going to be 4 years next month, Im in the point where I seriously plan to move out for my own mental health since the landlord has done nothing with her hoarding and her being aggresive toward me all the time.

[sopdiedop]

Bless her heart. I know exactly where she’s coming from

[GrowWildOutdoors]

I'm watching this to emotionally prepare to declutter - I'm in my parents' hoarded house & after a couple years started hoarding my own items. Things I tell myself I'll get around to using and simply don't.

[alanbirkner]

My mom hoarded, a cousin died in his hoard. I toss stuff every day and I hate to buy things. Mess makes me uncomfortable. Tina, Al's wife

[everymomentisagift]

My late sister had been renting out her lower level. She passed away suddenly and he has made the place so groos i cant even descrive it. He made a path for me to see it. The wrotten crap was as high as 7 feet. I was in shock to say the least. Unfortunately, I feel bad for him but at the same time it makes me angry. I called the fire marshall and they went to talk to him. He is slowly clearing items out. I have empathy for him and feel bad for him however he hasn't paid any rent since 2021. I have asked him to leave in 2-3 months as the house is now an estate.

[handichick]

I’ve been this way my whole life and I’ve never had company. My Mom passed away who was also a hoarder. I have boxes up stuff to sell but because I have a major social anxiety disorder I’m afraid to be around people to sell stuff. My Mom and I had a shopping addiction bad. Now she’s gone and I’m that I’ve become unemployed and my fear needs to be overcome because I’ll die in this house alone because my family hasn’t been in my life except my Mom. I wish I wasn’t like this. I don’t know where to get help because I want to have friends which I’ve never had on my own. I’m between a 3-4 hoarder level.

[ruttatata]

99% of people watching this video are in the middle of cleaning their room right now and procrastinating lol. And also looking for something to justify themselves to not throw away stuff

[ritaseymour]

It could be more reliable than people. ALWAYS THERE.