Ask the Experts: Hoarding vs Collecting
Q: My spouse insists the growing piles of useless items are collectibles, I think he’s hoarding. How can I know for sure?
A: It’s a good question because one person’s trash may be another person’s treasure. Hoarding is characterized by the excessive acquisition of and failure to discard objects, regardless of their actual value or usefulness. A collector will seek out specific items, such as model trains, stamps, and figurines. These items are typically cataloged and displayed with pride. Hoarding is quite different. While the items may bring comfort and security to the person, the items are strewn all over the home, crowding countertops, and filling rooms. Stacks of magazines and newspapers, for example, can be piled high on the floor. These piles can be a tripping hazard as well as a fire hazard. Symptoms of hoarding often begin at a younger age. The disorder often gets worse over time. A common trigger is the death of a loved one, prompting the survivor to hang on to everything that is associated with that person.
Treatment for hoarding disorder may include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which focuses on changing the thoughts and behaviors that contribute to hoarding. CBT can help individuals identify the reasons behind their hoarding behavior and learn skills to manage the urge to accumulate and keep things. As tempting as it may be to simply throw out the seemingly useless items, doing this can cause great distress. Some people, however, agree to declutter with assistance. Generally, people who hoard have difficulties making decisions. A coach, assistant or trusted person can help people declutter over time. Reassure them that you or any assistant is not going to discard anything without permission. Consider trying this process: Work together to create three piles: keep, discard, and not sure. Don’t shame or be judgmental about what they have or want to keep versus what they want to discard. Then, discard the items not wanted immediately, assess the not sure pile again, and then organize the keep pile or put it in a container. This is an ongoing process that takes time. Have goals and work on one portion of the clutter at a time. Sometimes donating items will help the decision process. Some people are more amenable to donating versus throwing away.
— Linda Ercoli, PhD
Geropsychologist, UCLA Institute for Neuroscience
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