How to Know if You Have a Hoarding Disorder
Watch more Addiction & Substance Abuse videos: http://www.howcast.com/guides/401-Addiction-and-Substance-Abuse
Subscribe to Howcast's YouTube Channel - http://howc.st/uLaHRS
Use this guide to find out if you may have the symptoms of a hoarding disorder.
Howcast uploads the highest quality how-to videos daily! Be sure to check out our playlists for guides that interest you: http://howc.st/ytmainplaylists
Subscribe to Howcast's other YouTube Channels:
Howcast Health Channel - http://howc.st/HOE3aY
Howcast Video Games Channel - http://howc.st/tYKKrk
Howcast Tech Channel - http://howc.st/rx9FwR
Howcast Food Channel - http://howc.st/umBoJX
Howcast Arts & Recreation Channel - http://howc.st/vmB86i
Howcast Sports & Fitness Channel - http://howc.st/vKjUjm
Howcast Personal Care & Style Channel - http://howc.st/vbbNt3
Howcast empowers people with engaging, useful how-to information wherever, whenever they need to know how. Emphasizing high-quality instructional videos, Howcast brings you experts who provide accurate information in easy-to-follow tutorials on everything from makeup, hairstyling, nail art design, and soccer to parkour, skateboarding, dancing, kissing, and much, much more.
Step 1: Look at your free space
Look around your home to see how much space can be called "cluttered". If the answer is "most," it may be a symptom of a hoarding disorder.
Tip
If you can no longer use your kitchen, dining area, and other living spaces because of all of the stuff, you may have a hoarding problem.
Step 2: Rule out collections
Rule out the possibility that you are just a collector if your keepsakes are strewn about. Collectors typically keep their items well organized and proudly displayed.
Tip
If a you have a collection that's out of control, keep only your favorites and those with a high market value.
Step 3: Tap into feelings
Ask yourself how your excess belongings make you feel. Hoarders are often embarrassed by the mess, but they can't seem to do anything about it because they have deep emotional attachments to their things.
Step 4: How hard to discard
Consider whether you have a hard time discarding or giving away items that have very little use or value for you in the present or near future.
Step 5: Consider relationships
Ask yourself whether your clutter has caused rifts in your personal relationships, or has gotten you into trouble with neighbors and city officials.
Step 6: Get help
Seek help from a professional if you have the symptoms of a hoarding disorder. It may be the first small step in getting your life cleaned up.
Did You Know?
A South Carolina woman was convicted of animal cruelty after hoarding 300 dogs.