The Psychology of a Hoarder

[silibran]

Originally Posted by GotHereQuickAsICould

I served on a hoarding task force years ago. One thing that struck me is how hoarders often see their collections of whatever as extensions of themselves.

The only people I've ever personally observed who turned the corner on hoarding were those who risked losing custody of their children.

Could you elaborate on your first statement? Hoards are seen as extensions of themselves? As, if they are body parts, or part of their souls?

Personally, I think that extreme hoarders are damaged people. I feel terribly sorry for them. But they can endanger themselves, their families, and possibly their neighbors.

I get that the hoards are necessary to them somehow. But I don't understand it.

[GotHereQuickAsICould]

Originally Posted by silibran

Could you elaborate on your first statement? Hoards are seen as extensions of themselves? As, if they are body parts, or part of their souls?

Personally, I think that extreme hoarders are damaged people. I feel terribly sorry for them. But they can endanger themselves, their families, and possibly their neighbors.

I get that the hoards are necessary to them somehow. But I don't understand it.

It's not just that they see a purpose to all they collect, or that they can't get organized to get rid of some of it, it's that it is essential to how they view themselves.

One man had collected so many boots that he could no longer enter through his front door, and was using a rear window to enter his place. His landlord said enough. Either the boots go or he does. So, he reluctantly agreed to have the boots cleared away, but he was quite distraught about it.

Kept repeating that he needed these boots to hike the Appalachian Trail. Hid several pair in his refrigerator.

First of all, he didn't hike at all as far as I could tell and most certainly wouldn't be hiking in those boots. Few were even his size, and all were worn out. He'd picked them up at the mission, the Salvation Army, etc. Some of he leather ones were covered in white mold.

As the final box was hauled off, he cried. It was so sad.

At our follow-up visit a few months later, he had started a new collection of boots, and was talking about hiking the Appalachian Trail.

[silibran]

Originally Posted by GotHereQuickAsICould

It's not just that they see a purpose to all they collect, or that they can't get organized to get rid of some of it, it's that it is essential to how they view themselves.

One man had collected so many boots that he could no longer enter through his front door, and was using a rear window to enter his place. His landlord said enough. Either the boots go or he does. So, he reluctantly agreed to have the boots cleared away, but he was quite distraught about it.

Kept repeating that he needed these boots to hike the Appalachian Trail. Hid several pair in his refrigerator.

First of all, he didn't hike at all as far as I could tell and most certainly wouldn't be hiking in those boots. Few were even his size, and all were worn out. He'd picked them up at the mission, the Salvation Army, etc. Some of he leather ones were covered in white mold.

As the final box was hauled off, he cried. It was so sad.

At our follow-up visit a few months later, he had started a new collection of boots, and was talking about hiking the Appalachian Trail.

So, I guess the boots represented an idealized view of himself? Or, they represent a dream he will never fulfill?

He had no family? No wife or kids?

I suppose the stuff people accumulate keeps people away.