Signs & symptoms you can see
Difficulty Discarding Items: A person with hoarding tendencies may have a persistent difficulty in getting rid of items, regardless of their actual value.
Excessive Cluttering: The person’s living spaces may become overcrowded with items, making it difficult to use rooms for their intended purpose (e.g., sleeping, eating, or moving around).
Severe Distress or Anxiety: People with hoarding tendencies often experience intense distress or anxiety when faced with the thought of discarding items or when someone suggests getting rid of things.
Emotional Attachment to Objects: They may form strong emotional bonds to objects, regardless of their condition, age, or utility.
Impaired Functionality of Living Space: The clutter may make the space unsafe or unhygienic, with limited access to rooms, hallways, or exits.
Avoidance of Social Situations: People with hoarding tendencies may avoid inviting others over or socializing because of embarrassment about the clutter.
Health and Safety Risks: The accumulation of items may pose health and safety risks, such as the risk of fire, tripping hazards, or unsanitary conditions.
Poor Organization: The person may struggle with organizing possessions, even if they have the intention to keep things in order.
Acquiring Unnecessary Items: Frequent and excessive acquisition of items, often without a clear purpose or necessity (e.g., buying items that are free, on sale, or ones they may never use).
Family or Relationship Strain: Hoarding can lead to tension in relationships with family members or friends due to the overwhelming clutter or attempts to intervene.