Have you ever wondered what the difference is between collecting, clutter and hoarding? At Sunnybrook’s most recent Speaker Series, Clutter As We Age: When Does Collecting Become a Problem? the issue was discussed by a leading panel of experts. They also looked at what to do if you or a loved one has hoarding disorder.
Hoarding disorder is a condition where a person has persistent difficulty parting with possessions, regardless of their value. This results in the accumulation of possessions that can congest living areas, and even pose a significant safety risk. Experts say there are some important differences between collectors and hoarders, including:
Collectors:
- feel proud of their possessions
- keep their possessions well organized and maintained
- find joy in their possessions and are willing to display them for others
- attend meetings or conferences with others who share their interest
- budget time and money for their possessions
Hoarders:
- feel embarrassed by their possessions
- have their possessions scattered randomly often without any functional organization
- have clutter that often results in the loss of functional living space
- often have debt, sometimes extreme
- feel ashamed, sad or depressed after acquiring additional items
