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Writer's pictureElena Harris

Are you a hoarder?

Updated: Jun 18

When I talk about my declutter coaching business, many people bring up the idea of hoarders. They may say something like, "Do you work with hoarders?" or "Oh! Like the show Hoarders!" Also, many of my clients say they feel like they are hoarders. That makes sense since they struggle to let things go and are surrounded by clutter. However, I think it is important to treat this word seriously. Now, I'm about to argue with the dictionary, so just stay with me for a second.


According to Bing dictionary, a hoarder is "a person who hoards things." And they use the example: "I'm a bit of a hoarder." I agree that this is how most people use the word, but that definition does not do it justice. Hoarding is not just an adjective, it is a clinical disorder. According to The Recovery Village, "hoarding is a disorder that involves a compulsive need to keep objects, trash or animals." Phycology Today lists the four major symptoms of hoarding disorder.

  1. "There is persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions, regardless of their value or lack thereof."

  2. "The difficulty in discarding possessions is due to distress associated with getting rid of them."

  3. "The difficulty in discarding possessions leads to clutter of living spaces and compromises the use of living spaces."

  4. "The hoarding creates clinically significant distress or impairment in functioning, including the ability to maintain a safe space."

Now, if I showed this list to most of my clients, I don't think they would say they experience all four. Of course, everyone struggles to let things go sometimes. And it is true, many of my clients struggle a bit more than the average person... but that does not make them hoarders.


If you do not experience all four symptoms, you are NOT a hoarder. And I personally feel it is a bit insensitive to throw around this word casually. Just like you wouldn't throw around the words suicidal or disabled unless you actually are, you shouldn't throw around the word hoarder.


If you do feel you experience all four symptoms, please find a counselor or psychiatrist to talk to. This is really important, but not something to be ashamed of. You probably need professional help to start making improvements in your life, both to work through the mental struggles and the physical purging of stuff.


My ideal clients are those who "feel" like hoarders but are actually not. However, if you do relate to all four symptoms of hoarding disorder and would like my help, please don't hesitate to contact me.


Hopefully. this article helped you learn something about yourself, others, what I do, and hoarding.


Let me know what you learned or found most interesting in the comments below.



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