Hoarding

Overview

A hoarding disorder is where someone acquires an excessive number of items and stores them in a chaotic manner, usually resulting in unmanageable amounts of clutter. The items can be of little or no monetary value.

Hoarding is considered a significant problem if:

• the amount of clutter interferes with everyday living – for example, the person is unable to use their kitchen or bathroom and cannot access rooms
• the clutter is causing significant distress or negatively affecting the quality of life of the person or their family – for example, they become upset if someone tries to clear the clutter and their relationship suffers

Someone who has a hoarding disorder may typically:

• keep or collect items that may have little or no monetary value, such as junk mail and carrier bags, or items they intend to reuse or repair
• find it hard to categorise or organise items
• have difficulties making decisions
• struggle to manage everyday tasks, such as cooking, cleaning and paying bills
• become extremely attached to items, refusing to let anyone touch or borrow them
• have poor relationships with family or friends

When can hoarding start?

Hoarding can start as early as the teenage years and gets more noticeable with age. For many, hoarding becomes more problematic in older age, but the problem is usually well established by this time. It's thought that around 1 or 2 people in every 100 have a problem with hoarding that seriously affects their life.

What can be hoarded?

Some people with a hoarding disorder will hoard a range of items, while others may just hoard certain types of objects. Items that are often hoarded include:

• newspapers and magazines
• books
• clothes
• leaflets and letters, including junk mail
• bills and receipts
• containers, including plastic bags and cardboard boxes
• household supplies

Some people also hoard animals, which they may not be able to look after properly. More recently, hoarding of data has become more common. This is where someone stores huge amounts of electronic data and emails that they're extremely reluctant to delete.

Why is it a problem?

A hoarding disorder can be a problem for several reasons. It can take over the person's life, making it very difficult for them to get around their house. It can cause their work performance, personal hygiene and relationships to suffer.

The person hoarding is usually reluctant or unable to have visitors or even allow tradesmen in to carry out essential repairs, which can cause isolation and loneliness.

The clutter can pose a health risk to the person and anyone who lives in or visits their house. For example, it can:

• make cleaning very difficult, leading to unhygienic conditions and encouraging rodent or insect infestations
• be a fire risk and block exits in the event of a fire
• cause trips and falls
• fall over or collapse on people, if kept in large piles

The hoarding could also be a sign of an underlying condition, such as OCD, other types of anxiety, depression and dementia.

Multi-Agency Hoarding Framework

The Multi-Agency Hoarding Framework (MAHF) provides a collaborative multi-agency ‘person centred approach’ for addressing matters arising as a result of hoarding in Derby City and Derbyshire County.

The MAHF offers clear guidance for all professionals and agencies, working with people who hoard, with an expectation that everyone engages fully to achieve the best possible outcome for the individual involved, whilst meeting the requirements and duties of their Agency or Board.

Clutter Image Ratings

These are Clutter Image Ratings that have been done from a previous study which are widely used across the world.

This shows the severity of the problem in many homes across the UK. 2.5 % – 6 % of the UK are affected by this disorder.