The Dangers of Hoarding
Next, we are going to address the dangers of hoarding. This is when the act of decluttering the home does not resolve our relationship with excess. When the acquiring of things becomes unhealthy and even dangerous. According to the Mayo Clinic “Hoarding disorder is a persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions because of a perceived need to save them. A person with hoarding disorder experiences distress at the thought of getting rid of the items. Excessive accumulation of items, regardless of actual value, occurs”. Hoarding Disorder- Symptoms and Causes, mayoclinic.org, Feb 3, 2018. If you have seen the show “Hoarders” you may have seen how homes are a fire hazard, unsanitary, a health risk, and unlivable. These are extreme cases and it can take years to get to that point.
The Five Levels of Hoarding
One: The least severe with the following signs; Light clutter, No noticeable odors, All doorways and staircases are accessible, and no more than three areas with animal waste throughout the home.
Two: More noticeable signs with the following traits; At least one blocked exit, One appliance out of order, malfunctioning ventilation system, clutter in the walkways throughout the home and in one or more room, light mildew in bathrooms or kitchens, and minimal evidence of cleaning.
Three: Can include the following; cluttered household items outside of the home, at least two broken household appliances for six months, one area of the home with light structural damage, excessive number of pets (more than regulations allow) and neglected living spaces, visible rodent, flea, or spider web infestation, Narrowed hallways, at least one unusable bedroom or bathroom, excessive dust, dirty clothing, and/or soiled flooring, and noticeable odors throughout the home.
Four: Involves; noticeable mold and mildew, structural damage to the home that is at least six months old, sewage issues, At least three areas with aging animal waste, unusable rooms due to clutter, rotting or spoiled food in kitchen areas, fleas, lice, bed bugs, or other insect infestations, and more than one blocked exit.
Five: Defined as the most severe and can include; noticeable structural damage to the home, broken walls, fire hazards throughout the home, inoperable utilities, clutter on every surface, noticeable human waste, and most of the house is inaccessible. With each level, there is a progressive decline in emotional and mental health.
In addition, it is good to be aware of these signs of a hoarding problem and address them early on. Some of the emotional signs include emotional distress when confronted about their living situation, avoiding having family or friends over to their space, shops without limits for things that they do not need, stress when asked to part with items, or signs of depression, anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, or Attention Deficit/Hyper-Activity Disorder.
Lastly, the risks and dangers of hoarding can include; risk of eviction, possible falls, poor work performance, causing a fire, and if there is a fire, inaccessibility by fire department, injuries, family conflicts, avoidance of relationships, isolation and loneliness, failed relationships such as divorce. One of the main causes of hoarding is stress or a major stressful event. So the added stressors, as a result of hoarding, can only exacerbate the problem. In conclusion, having self-awareness and seeking help from a mental health professional is very important in managing those life stressors with positive and healthy coping skills.
