Am I A Junk Hoarder? TV Makes Me Think So...
Posted by Andy Greider on Mon, Sep 20, 2010 @ 06:18 AM
We've been on TLC's Hoarding: Buried Alive!- and we're amazed at how much it prompts the question from our customers "Am I a Hoarder?"
We want to clear the air a little for most Americans. Most likely, even if you have odds and ends, collectibles and some junk lying around, you are not a true Hoarder. Still, you may well have things that you'd be better off without. Everyone needs a good purge now and then - and nobody LOVES to do it. But that's where we come in.
The other day I was asked by a customer "what makes someone a hoarder, a collector or a regular Joe with too much stuff around." I decided to do a little research and write a blog to try and help clear this matter up a little.
- If you are a "Regular Joe" who just has too much stuff around you won't be obsessed with keeping the random things you no longer use. You may not feel like expending the energy to remove them, but you are not attached to them in a serious manner.
- If you are simply a collector, you may have a few genres of items you will covet and pursue the collection of. You may feel strongly about keeping these items, but they will most likely be in an orderly and neat presentation and won't effect your ability to move about the house or maintain safe or sanitary living conditions.
- If you are a hoarder - according to Fugen Neziroglu, PhD, you may find yourself being the kind of person who faces any of the following:
- Avoid throwing away possessions.
- Has severe anxiety when attempting to discard possessions.
- Has trouble making decisions and cannot decide what to keep or for how long.
- Feels overwhelmed or embarrassed by possessions.
- Is suspicious of others touching items.
- Feels depression and/or anxiety.
- Has obsessive thoughts about possessions, such as wanting to check the garbage can to ensure an item. was not accidentally discarded.
- Has great difficulty organizing possessions.
If you are a Hoarder, you may feel you need to keep items, as you believe they:
- will be useful at a later date
- have sentimental value
- were a bargain
- is unique and can’t be replaced
- has some value either now or potentially in the future
If you aren't sure about your status, there are plenty of quizzes and tests online to help you determine if hoarding is an issue in your life. This picture may help as well:
If you need more information, as this article is somewhat ambiguious and not meant to replace professional counseling or advice, you can seek more education at:
Children of Hoarders
Messies Anonymous
Bio-Behavioral Institute
Obsessive Compulsive Foundation