Psychology speaks the reason behind hoarding and why it’s important to purge.
It’s very common to see full-to-the-top storage rooms, cupboards bursting at the seams, filled with articles. Many of us either have it or know someone who does—the love for hoarding. But if you were to take a closer look at all the belongings, many will realise or already know that perhaps most of it is unnecessary.
Experts offer tips to understand the beliefs and behaviours of hoarders and how they can be treated.
Understanding Hoarding
“A hoarding disorder is a persistent difficulty in discarding or getting rid of possessions because of a perceived need to save them. A person with a hoarding disorder experiences serious distress at the thought of getting rid of the items. The value of these items does not matter,” says, Psychiatrist, Masina Hospital.
Emotional Attachments
In most cases, people tend to hoard items that have important emotional significance or serve as a memento of good times. “We hoard things for both positive and negative reasons. The positive reason is that we like having real objects that reinforce our sense of having lived life. The negative reason is that we are insatiable and can’t give up things.
In fact, when people pull out the things they have hoarded, they find that they are no longer what they want, states Psychoanalytic Psychologist.
Psychological Reasons
The psychological causes for hoarding is not entirely clear, although possible factors could be genetics, brain functioning or stressful life events. “Hoarding is a type of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). It is estimated that one in four people with OCD are also compulsive hoarders.
Cultural Reasons
Additionally, there could also be cultural factors that cause a hoarding disorder. “I believe as a culture, we have been hoarding for generations. A lot of this has got to do with our history, as invasion by foreign rulers ensured that we always held on to what we had. Thus, this hoarding culture has passed onto us over generations,”
How to Treat Compulsive Hoarding?
The good news is that compulsive hoarding can be treated. “Hoarding is an issue that is best challenged at its base. This implies, firstly, understanding our relationship with our belongings.
Compulsive hoarding is a very complicated disorder, and sufferers can be resistant to treatment. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), combined with counselling, is a therapeutic approach that has probably gained the most success in helping compulsive hoarders to gain control of their lives. This therapeutic style focuses on learning new, more acceptable methods while working with a professional to get through the purging process.
Why is it Important to Purge?
“Purging, cleaning and organising decreases stress and anxiety levels, it helps in boosting productivity, allows you to become more focused, gives you more time to work on your goals, and reduces levels of tiredness, frustration and fatigue. Moreover, decluttering improves your decision making and problem solving skills, which in turn creates a sense of confidence and self efficacy
Comments