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Old 07-23-2017, 12:30 PM
 
Location: Aloverton
6,560 posts, read 14,394,270 times
Reputation: 10164

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Quote:
Originally Posted by JBAinTexas View Post
Every time I hear or watch of hoarders, especially in apartments/flats in shared buildings, I can't help but think, do they really care more about their things than human lives and conveniences? The bugs and mold can spread from one unit to another, infesting the entire building. The smell can be annoying. Also, there is a fire hazard, which in turn can burn other people's belongings and livelihoods.

All these mentioned can drive down the property values of adjoining properties/units/buildings.

Is it fair to say hoarders are selfish or ignorant?
To the extent that it's fair to say any addict is selfish or ignorant. That is, it's true so far as it goes, but the selfish ignorance is a consequence of the addiction, not its cause.

To take comfort from stockpiling so much crap that you create a hazmat maze in your house is an addictive behavior, like too much porn or too much cheap vodka or too many jelly donuts. The addict probably has intellectual knowledge that the addiction is a bad idea, a self-indulgent behavior that harms others in many ways, but the addiction takes center stage. All those side consequences will just have to deal with themselves, because the addict gonna addict. I have a hoarding mother with a shopping addiction and she is a perfect example: she knows it's bad for her and others, she just doesn't care as much about that as she cares for the temporary buzz she gets from buying crap she doesn't need and hanging onto it for dear life.
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Old 07-23-2017, 12:53 PM
 
19,360 posts, read 12,014,526 times
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It is a form of OCD. It isn't any more selfish than germophobia. They obsess such that they cannot make a simple decision, being highly fearful of making a mistake.
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Old 07-23-2017, 01:47 PM
 
28,107 posts, read 63,380,777 times
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Many I have come across were children of Depression...

They see "Value" in things and have a strict compass against waste... even if their actions ultimately prove wasteful...

Almost everyone I come across in Real Estate has modest or very little income...

It's easy not to hoard if money is no object.

I know a very successful software guy... what he gets rid of is unbelievable... he had patents and money was never a problem... had some high end Kayaks... used them once... they were in the way and he asked me if I knew anyone that would want them... I asked how much... he said FREE if they are gone today...

I called a friend and he and a buddy were there two hours later...

For others it could be the notion that someday it will be worth something... who hasn't heard tales of Grandpa's comic books going in the trash and be very valuable... thing is no one was saving them then... same with base ball cards, dolls, china, figurines... etc.

Others really make their obsession work for them... open a museum, become a dealer, etc...
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Old 07-23-2017, 02:17 PM
 
Location: Dessert
10,819 posts, read 7,187,915 times
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I used to work for a woman who was essentially a hoarder, but she was rich so she could afford people (me) to organize her junk.

One project I did for her was to have all her family photos reframed without mats (in smaller frames) so more pictures would fit on the wall. An entire hallway wall covered top to bottom with framed photos.

If something broke, I would have to get it repaired or find an identical replacement. Mostly decorative items, appliances could just be replaced.

But again, she was rich, so was merely eccentric, not nuts.

She told me her family lost everything during the depression; I think she was always trying to make up for that.
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Old 07-23-2017, 03:07 PM
 
Location: Wasilla, AK
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It's just another mental illness, like gender dysphoria, BIID, anorexia, etc. They don't understand their mental illness or they try and rationalize it.
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Old 07-23-2017, 04:01 PM
 
Location: Northern Maine
5,466 posts, read 3,032,963 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by j_k_k View Post
To the extent that it's fair to say any addict is selfish or ignorant. That is, it's true so far as it goes, but the selfish ignorance is a consequence of the addiction, not its cause.

To take comfort from stockpiling so much crap that you create a hazmat maze in your house is an addictive behavior, like too much porn or too much cheap vodka or too many jelly donuts. The addict probably has intellectual knowledge that the addiction is a bad idea, a self-indulgent behavior that harms others in many ways, but the addiction takes center stage. All those side consequences will just have to deal with themselves, because the addict gonna addict. I have a hoarding mother with a shopping addiction and she is a perfect example: she knows it's bad for her and others, she just doesn't care as much about that as she cares for the temporary buzz she gets from buying crap she doesn't need and hanging onto it for dear life.
In the context of addiction, self is at the root, but not the root itself, its close though.
All addictions can be simmered down to a common condition.
Its all rooted in fear, each addict has a different story and path but they all end up at the same place and the way out is the same for each.
They might be a thousand miles into the dark forest but its just 12 steps to get out.

The hoarder has different rationales for their fear, they fear they can't get enough, fear they willnot have something when needed, fear they will lose something.
Its all fear. And they have this fear because they rely on self. But self fails them.
Consider the different manifestation of self, self centeredness, selfishness, esteem for self...etc.
The more they build self, the worse they get.
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Old 07-23-2017, 04:25 PM
 
743 posts, read 475,119 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JBAinTexas View Post
Every time I hear or watch of hoarders, especially in apartments/flats in shared buildings, I can't help but think, do they really care more about their things than human lives and conveniences? The bugs and mold can spread from one unit to another, infesting the entire building. The smell can be annoying. Also, there is a fire hazard, which in turn can burn other people's belongings and livelihoods.

All these mentioned can drive down the property values of adjoining properties/units/buildings.

Is it fair to say hoarders are selfish or ignorant?
It is a mental condition. They aren't conscious of the impact to others.
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Old 07-23-2017, 05:05 PM
 
10,599 posts, read 17,788,014 times
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Of course.

Just like other mentally ill people. Or drug users, drunks etc.

But the selfishness is secondary to the disorder. They're conscious of the impact; they just don't care. Especially the ones who only agree to have the show come out because it's their last resort. The ones who think they're going to con the show into just reorganizing their hoard or fixing the house to prevent it being condemned.

But it IS very satisfying to see the successful ones on there.

Did you ever watch My 600 Lb Life?

Talk about the epitome of selfish. The whining and carrying on! The funniest episodes are the ones where the patient does absolutely NOTHING they're supposed to do either before they're approved for surgery or after. Lay in bed eating constantly and never even getting UP then put on the show "I've worked SO HARD, this scale can't be right!." AFter they've GAINED another 50 Lbs.
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Old 07-23-2017, 05:44 PM
 
Location: New Albany, Indiana (Greater Louisville)
11,974 posts, read 25,332,828 times
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My two oldest sisters are hoarders. It is a mental disorder, they see the world radically differently than a normal person. In their mind most human suffering is caused by people not being prepared and their is no such thing as having too few things to be prepared. The think I am mentally ill because I don't hoard and criticize their hoarding. In their mind they are selfless because they will share their stash of supplies with other people when the Collapse comes. To them it is selfish to spend money on vacations rather than on more broken bread makers or Goodwill reject clothes. It really hurt but the best solution has been for me to dramatically pull back from them.
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Old 07-23-2017, 05:54 PM
 
4,096 posts, read 6,173,435 times
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There is no question it has be mental illness. What surprises me is that there are no law or statutes in place to help these people. Their home should be condemned and they should be institutionalized until they can cope with life. They are a danger to themselves and their neighbors. The mental health care is nonexistent for those who need it the most, those who have lost touch with reality and will not get help. We went through this with a close family member. It's devastating.
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