Hoarding addiction is a growing problem in the modern world. Research suggests that as much as 5% of the world population displays some form of clinical hoarding/or what would be considered as an impairment. If you are worried that you may have hoarding tendencies, the information in this multi-part guide should help you assess your condition. Here are some more common signs of hoarding addiction that you need to watch out for.
Be sure to check out Part 1 for even more warning signs.
Excessive Buying
Many hoarders exemplify signs of shopping addiction, where they feel compelled to spend money as often as they possibly can. In fact, an estimated 75% of hoarders engage in excessive buying, ranging from flea market finds to TV shopping networks. Shopping addiction is a condition in and of itself, but it can tie into hoarding addiction and make it worse. Whether you are a hoarder or not, you should seek help to control your over-indulgence.
Difficulty Making Decisions
Hoarders often have a hard time making decisions for themselves, partly due to the chaos they live in. These decisions could be as simple as what meal to eat at night or what show to watch on TV. If you find yourself overwhelmed by simple questions, you could have a hoarding addiction. Of course, that all depends on whether your inability to make decisions translates into an accumulation of belongings.
Inability To Throw Something Away – Even Garbage
One of the main reasons why hoarding addiction becomes such a big problem so quickly is because hoarders are not able to throw items away, regardless of their worth. Hoarders see the value in everything they acquire, even if it has been chewed away by rats or rotted beyond the point of recognition. If you find excuses to keep every single item you encounter, you will eventually be consumed with your belongings. That is why it is important to seek hoarding therapy at the first sign of a problem.
Accepting Free Items You Do Not Need
There is nothing wrong with appreciating a great piece of furniture on the side of the road, but that doesn’t mean you should take every broken chair and couch tossed at your local dumpster. People who suffer from hoarding addiction often gain a reputation for taking anything that anyone wants to give away – clothes, furniture, food, toys, etc. If you constantly take items you do not need for your home, you may have a problem that no one around you has acknowledged yet. Controlling this will help you establish a much better quality of life.
Hoarding addiction is treatable with proper therapy. If you are ready to tackle your condition head-on, contact Perspectives Of Troy today to schedule your first appointment.
An understanding, the non-judgmental therapist is waiting to be of real help to you. Please call 248.244.8644. Remember, you do not have to walk alone.