Am I a compulsive hoarding?
By nytrisco
@nytrisco (567)
Philippines
August 19, 2011 8:50pm CST
I watched Nat Geo's Taboo last night which they shown people with Compulsive Hoarding disorder. CH is a person who loves to collect or hoard items or animals excessively whether if they use it or not, they also cannot dispose it because they have an attachment to that object or animals. So the result, a very messy house or place. And it is one of a sub types or related to OCD or obsessive compulsive disorder.
After watching it, I ask myself if I was a mild compulsive hoarder. Back when I was a kid, my mom usually buy me toys that I want. Every week, I have new set of toys and so my toy racks grew big and my room was like a toy land, toys everywhere and it came to the extent that my mom will have to donate it to the less fortunate children or gave them to my other relatives, but I was so obsess with my toys that I cry a lot every time she gave away my toys. Before going to my teen age, I filled 2 cabinets of toys. My hoarding of toys stops and when I was studying in middle school up to college, at that time I hoard my previous test papers, notebooks, books, and other school materials that I filled almost 3 cabinets full of junks. And also my room was full of papers and books all over the place. When our maid would go clean my room, my mess will return for 2 days after she cleaned it.
That went to stop after I graduated college and after I got my dog. Since I have to clean my room everyday and keep it a non hazardous place for my dog. So I guess my mild compulsive hoarding stops. =)
1 person likes this
4 responses
@ladygator (3465)
• United States
20 Aug 11
I dont think you are a hoarder. These are usually viewed as extreme incapability to throw anything away. They are severely attached to their items and can not get rid of anything as they would actually have anxiety if they had to. I think that when people are big on collecting things and keep things for intent on using later on, such as paper for crafts, gifts for giving away (and they actually do). They just like to be surrounded with their stuff. Its more of a pack rat title. Like me. I do these things and my mom does too. But when things get a bit to clustered we are not worried to get rid of unessential things.
@nytrisco (567)
• Philippines
22 Aug 11
Thanks for the response. When I was a kid, I am like that. When my mom wanted my toys to donate, I usually tell her that I do still play with it but in reality I am not. It's like I have an attachment with toys that I will cry if I don't see it in my room. But now, it's gone.
@mdgarmager (6)
• United States
20 Aug 11
I have OCD -- notice that I didn't say "I suffer from OCD". OCD is very difficult and painful, but with help from professionals I have adapted and changed my OCD into a manageable and even welcome part of who I am. Whenever somebody finds out that I have OCD, they almost always give me an example of something quirky or unusual that they do. Then, of course, they ask me if I think they have OCD. My question, in return, is always this: when you are engaged in the behavior you spoke of, do you feel a terrible, empty pain in your stomach? Do you think about that behavior or activity at all times? Do you feel the need to accomplish that activity before you can do anything else? Does your behavior keep you alienated from your family and friends? Is your behavior dangerous to you or others? If they answer yes to most or all of those questions, there is a good chance that they have some form of OCD. So, in short, if your "hoarding" is unpleasant and makes you physically sick; occupies all of your time and thoughts; your relationships suffer; and there is any danger to yourself or others; you might want to see a professional for some advice. If you just have a problem finding room for the large amounts of stuff you collect but enjoy having the collection, you are, in my opinion, just fine. Good luck and my very best.
@nytrisco (567)
• Philippines
20 Aug 11
Very well said mdgarmager, I truly appreciate it. In my case, I had a large amount of stuff before but now I already threw them away (I keep the papers and notebooks and use it to clean my dog's poo on the floor) it didn't harm me when I was still hoarding stuff except that I am allergic to dust mites and since my room is messy and a bit dirty before, my skin starts to itch. But now, since I always clean my room and vacuum it regularly, I seldom experience itchiness.
And welcome to mylot! =)
@artistic_temper (83)
• Philippines
20 Aug 11
im with you man, we have a tendency to acquire things or stuff that we do not normally needs.Like you cant live with just three sets of shoes and maybe just one functional bag or two maybe and adequate wardrobe? Nothing seems enough anymore.
thats good that you realized that you have a lot of mess when you got a dog.My mom would buy and stored truckload of clothes, bags and shoes that she never use.We have three spare rooms just to house her junks, and she never throws it either. She just let it gather dusts and never mind the rats.Its an never ending struggle with her, me trying to curb her stuff and shes piling things up.So i guess if shes happy with what shes doing then i just have to understand her and maybe it will just cease.
@nytrisco (567)
• Philippines
20 Aug 11
Thank you and I appreciate it. Well, doesn't your mom notice how much space she already occupied for her stuff? For as long as it doesn't hinder your mother's day to day work or routine, it still be okay I think. Since one of the criteria of having a disorder is that you can no longer do your daily work because of that kind of problem.
@blue65packer (11826)
• United States
20 Aug 11
I have watched other shows about hoarders. Some hoarders do have OCD or CHD. Some people are so bad they can't part with half eaten food! Some people seem to have this problem after some drama happens in their life. I have seen enough episodes where the person copes with a divorce or some kind of depression, by becoming a hoarder. Sometimes the adult children try to help their parents clean up their homes with it becoming worse after they did help! I am amazed how many children who grow up in houses where the parents are hoarders! I know alot of these kids are taken away or go live with another relative! That just sickens me! The parents,to me,seem not to care about their kids and only care of their hoarding! Alot of this kids grow up as hoarders or clean freaks. It is crazy! I know a friend who watched a ton of those hoarder shows. He believes some hoarders are just lazy cleaning and then end up being hoarders. I believe this and I also believe people do it do to OCD,depression and divorce. My mom became a hoarder to cope with a lousey marriage to my dad. I am very disorganized and am not much of a house cleaner. If I win the lottery I will get a cleaning service in every few weeks to clean my place up! No matter how things go I feel I will be a hoader someday! It is sad! I love animals and I know I never would be a animal hoarder! This is my story.
