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The Symptoms Of Hoarding Disorders

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Experts usually draw the line between a merely messy lifestyle and hoarding “when it comes to the person’s ability to function,” Tolin says (Metcalf 1). Many individuals may keep things that they do not need; however, if they cannot live in their home securely or their living situation poses a danger to others, then it becomes a matter of concern. Hoarding, therefore, can be categorized by the persistent inability to desert or separate with possessions despite their actual value. Hoarding, however, although gaining some popularity through television shows, is still not respected as a serious disorder. Thus, although individuals may be aware of the hoarding disorder, they do not understand it, as well as knowing the symptoms and the …show more content…
The symptoms of hoarding can vary from the constant inability to part with any possession, regardless of its value to an unnecessary connection to items, which makes one feel uncomfortable about letting go of an item, causing stress to one's self, and not allowing others to touch or take your belongings, even for a short period of time. Other symptoms can also vary from having a house that is cluttered, making certain rooms in the home unusable, to keeping food or allowing trash to pile up to an unsanitary level, to keeping papers or mail that are not important (Figure 1). Another symptom for hoarding can also be having very limited social interactions with the outside world, which can possibly be due to the embarrassment or shame the individual feels based on how their situation. Individuals who face hoarding disorder usually feel safe when surrounded by the objects they keep; however, if one were to try to throw away something that they might perceive as valuable, this can cause panic and anxiety. As Metcalf explains, an individual who has a hoarding disorder tends to have a brain that works differently. In particular, the frontal lobe of the brain tends to have opinions that are more irrational. Due to their irrational opinions, they have different kinds of concerns than individuals who do not face hoarding disorder. In conclusion, based on the above symptoms and …show more content…
This mainly also plays a factor due to the amount of individuals who tend to keep it to themselves as well as individuals who do not seek help either because they feel either that they do not need it or they are ashamed of it. I feel that if individuals are not ready to come out and admit they are hoarding due to feeling embarrassed, home treatments could benefit them. According to the Mayo Clinic, some home remedies that can be helpful are to keep up with personal hygiene and bathing, to have healthy nutrition, to not isolate yourself, to try reaching out to someone for help, and lastly to encourage yourself, taking small steps and to tell yourself you deserve better. These small and simple steps can allow a person to come out and seek more help, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Although there are no causes for hoarding, it is still a serious matter that not many individuals tend to realize; it can cause a lot of stress and anxiety for a person who is facing it. In addition, I feel that if the media does choose to show individuals who face hoarding on TV should have them understand what hoarding is, as well as symptoms and the treatments that take place, rather than just showing the messy life of a hoarder and reorganizing their home as shown in Figure 2. Overall, based on the short history of hoarding, its symptoms and possible

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