10 Most Common Things Hoarded are:
Five percent of the North American population is afflicted with Compulsive Hoarding Disorder - generally people in their 50's - this is over 1.75 million Canadians, three times the incidence of Alzheimer's Disease. While there is a high prevalence among low-income residents, hoarding cases were found all over the city.
Sometimes people aren't really hoarders, but their life circumstances change. They are forced to live in smaller and smaller quarters, and are unwilling to give up the things that have been important to them throughout their lives. Older adults may hoard because the items have special memories for them (such as the old clothes a dead spouse work, or newspaper clippings.) They may collect because they consider the items as valuable or the items give them a sense of security. Sometimes, items give them a sense of feeling loved that they can't find from people.
Other seniors are afraid of forgetting or losing items. They are afraid someone will steal from them or take their personal information, so they hold on to everything. In some cases, they have a mental disorder and they feel a constant need to collect and keep things.
Hoarding is a mental health issue, although the exact cause of hoarding is not known. While Compulsive Hoarding Disorder may not be considered a mental illness in some, there is often a genetic component. Another mental health problem, such as Depression or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder can exacerbate a hoarding situation. Hoarding doesn't happen in isolation. It isn't just about the stuff. It's about what else in your life is and isn't working.
- Paper, especially newspapers
- The things used in everyday life which don't get put away
- Excessive recycling materials which don't get recycled
- Clothing
- Plastic bags
- Sentimental things which tell a story of happier times
- Mechanical things, car parts, electronic equipment and parts, tools, nuts, bolts, screws, building materials
- Craft supplies, wool, fabric
- Furniture
- Animals
Five percent of the North American population is afflicted with Compulsive Hoarding Disorder - generally people in their 50's - this is over 1.75 million Canadians, three times the incidence of Alzheimer's Disease. While there is a high prevalence among low-income residents, hoarding cases were found all over the city.
Sometimes people aren't really hoarders, but their life circumstances change. They are forced to live in smaller and smaller quarters, and are unwilling to give up the things that have been important to them throughout their lives. Older adults may hoard because the items have special memories for them (such as the old clothes a dead spouse work, or newspaper clippings.) They may collect because they consider the items as valuable or the items give them a sense of security. Sometimes, items give them a sense of feeling loved that they can't find from people.
Other seniors are afraid of forgetting or losing items. They are afraid someone will steal from them or take their personal information, so they hold on to everything. In some cases, they have a mental disorder and they feel a constant need to collect and keep things.
Hoarding is a mental health issue, although the exact cause of hoarding is not known. While Compulsive Hoarding Disorder may not be considered a mental illness in some, there is often a genetic component. Another mental health problem, such as Depression or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder can exacerbate a hoarding situation. Hoarding doesn't happen in isolation. It isn't just about the stuff. It's about what else in your life is and isn't working.
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