Hoarding:
Hoarding involves the excessive saving or collecting of items, typically thought of as junk, such that it intrudes on the quality of life for the hoarder or those living with such a person. (Research at the Center for Cognitive-Behavioral Psychotherapy has begun to gain further insight into the relationship between hoarding and OCPD.) In a significant percentage of cases, people lack the insight that they are behaving in an unhealthy manner. When persons are not cognizant of the irrational nature of this condition it is referred to as overvalued ideation (ego-syntonic OCD). Typically this form of OCD involves a poor prognosis since the individual is rarely willing to confront the challenges offered by the treatment. This lack of willingness to see one's own culpability has a very adverse impact on the quality of life for those around him. Many hoarders, however, are well aware of the adverse impact of this condition and suffer tremendously as a consequence of seeing all free space within their living environment occupied. Renting extra storage space to pick up the overflow of ones own living environment is not uncommon.I knew a woman where I live who is this way. There was literally a narrow path through her entire home. Every room was filled with stuff and more stuff. Her husband and child suffered greatly for this woman's behavior but the woman was totally oblivious to their pain.
That is the same situation here in my household. There is crap everywhere. Most has little or no value but my h has to buy it. It is everywhere and it drives me wacky because he wont jettison the stuff. One room is filled with used electronics, a drawers of his clothes he no longer wears but keeps, and finally piles of clothes he doesn't wear. When one device fails he keeps it and shelves it. An attic space is filled with used this and that. He refuses to throw anything out. On the deck is old furniture, building materials, and what was once a beautiful commercial range. On the porch are more electronics, miscellaneous pieces of wood and building materials. In the yard there are two project vehicles, tons and I do mean tons of scrap metal, old and unusable building material, and miscellaneous old items he refuses to throw out.
Where hoarding is a component of OCPD, the justification for saving items typically involves one of the following rationales. In many instances there is a deep commitment related to the "sinfulness of waste." A father may say to his wife, "Why throw out the diapers when they're still in perfectly good shape," referring of course to their 15 year old daughter's leftover diapers. "Who knows? Maybe when she's a new parent the baby will be able to use these diapers." I have heard similar things througout the years. "Don't throw that out. It is still in perfectly good shape. Maybe someone else could use it." In others words if there is no hole in it or it isn't completely faded there is still hope for it.
Another perspective which supports the hoarder's resistance to throwing out items is the possibility that the item may come in handy at some point in the future. Throwing away four year old TV guides would cause a tremendous upheaval since Mom may want to see which program was on NBC 9:00 pm Thursday 1994.I can't even count the number of times I have heard that phrase
the item may come in handy at some point in the future. This is like reading my h's diary. These are all the things he has said and done.
Another determinant for hoarding involves the endless projects on the "to do list." Perfectionism often stymies the OCPD's ability to complete tasks. Rather than abandoning projects, they become piled up and the fantasy is maintained that some day they will be gotten to.Ahhhhh ... the endless "to do lists!" My h
claims he doesn't do this behavior. Yikes the man's got all of the determinants!!!
He is forever making "to do lists" and losing them. I have found them all over the house. Now I just throw them out in the recycling trash. He has lists and lists of projects but never gets around to them because of his perfectionism.
And I am starting to recycle and uncrap the rest of this house. The bigger stuff will be much more difficult but it will get tackled eventually. I know that is why when I started to get depressed I knew I needed medication because there is so much to do. I can't get bogged down in a downward spiral of depression.
Come Spring there is going to be a rain or shine, huge garage and yard sale. Everything goes type sale. Then I will put the money in my savings account for my first visit to my chosen moving spot.
I'll never forget how much money my h made off his first moving sale in another state. He had so much crap! Ugh! Glad to know this is an actual psychological condition. Not happy to know it has invaded my life for so many years. He is never going to change!
The treatment of OCPD is incredibly complex and lengthy.More proof - exit stage left.
