Hello! My sister is a hoarder, and I would like to better understand why she collects everything and be able to help her. I've been there for her, and I will support her through everything. I just don't understand why she wants to keep so much stuff that I find pointless.

What is hoarding, and how do I know if I?m a hoarder? What is the difference between hoarding and collecting?

Hoarding is the compulsive purchasing, acquiring, searching, and saving of items that have little or no value. The behavior usually has deleterious effects?emotional, physical, social, financial, and even legal?for a hoarder and family members.

The descriptions below are typical of someone who hoards:

Avoids throwing away possessions (common hoarded items are newspapers, magazines, paper and plastic bags, cardboard boxes, photographs, household supplies, food, and clothing)

Experiences severe anxiety about discarding possessions

Has trouble making decisions about organizing possessions

Feels overwhelmed or embarrassed by possessions

Is suspicious of other people touching possessions

Has obsessive thoughts about possessions:
- Fear of running out of an item and needing it later
- Checks the garbage to see if an item was accidentally discarded

May have functional impairments:
- Loss of living space inside the home (no place to eat, sleep, or cook)
- Social isolation
- Family or marital problems
- Financial difficulties
- Health hazards

People hoard for many reasons, among them the belief that their possessions will be useful or valuable in the future, have sentimental value, are unique and irreplaceable, or because they can?t decide where something goes, it?s better just to keep it.

Hoarding vs. Collecting

Hoarding is not the same as collecting. In general, collectors have a sense of pride about their possessions, and they experience joy in displaying and talking about their possessions and conversing. They keep their collection organized, feel satisfaction adding to it, and budget their time and money.

Hoarders generally experience embarrassment about their possessions and feel uncomfortable when others see them. Their clutter often takes over functional living space, and they feel sad or ashamed after acquiring additional items. Also, they often incur great debt, sometimes extreme.

Effective treatment is available from qualified mental health professionals, who can also help the affected family members.

Since I started this thread, I've been asked by many hoarders and some family members for tips/strategies that help with hoarding. These strategies can/do work if you stick with them. Enjoy :)

Six anti-clutter strategies for compulsive hoarders:

Make immediate decisions about mail and newspapers.Go through mail and newspapers on the day you receive them and throw away unwanted materials immediately. Don?t leave anything to be decided on later. Don't put it off til later, later never comes :)

Think twice about what you allow into your home.Wait a couple of days after seeing a new item before you buy it. And when you do purchase something new, discard another item you own to make room for it. You don't need those shoes you loved in high school, you need those shoes you love NOW :)

Set aside 15 minutes a day to declutter.Start small?with a table, perhaps, or a chair?rather than tackling the entire, overwhelming house at once. If you start to feel anxious, take a break and do some deep-breathing or relaxation exercises.

Dispose of anything you have not used in a YEAR.That means old clothes, broken items, and craft projects you?ll never finish. Remind yourself that many items are easily replaceable if you need them later.

Follow the OHIO rule[I don't know if it works in Ohio, because I?m from Tennessee]: Only Handle It Once. If you pick something up, make a decision then and there about it, and either put it where it belongs or discard it. Don?t fall into the trap of moving things from one pile to another, again and again. Decide right then, and don't give yourself a chance to change your mind.

Ask for help if you can?t do it on your own. If you feel these strategies are impossible to carry out and you cannot cope with the problem on your own, seek out a mental health professional. It is ALWAYS ok to ask for help!!

If anyone ever has any questions, or just wants to talk, I am right here. Just PM me! Also, if you have and requests/recommendations, I am all ears <3

Hello, I have been a hoarder for past 11 years when my children left, it was like the soul of my house let with them. I have made various attempts over the years to change, but due to various things never got around to it, can you assist please I would be so grateful, best wishes