Is it Clutter or Hoarding? What are the Key Differences?

There is certainly a fine line between clutter and hoarding. Often, the lines between these two areas can be blurred.

However, hoarding can happen to the extent where a person develops Hoarding Disorder – a serious mental health condition.

But as mentioned, there is a close line between clutter and hoarding items. In this article, we take a look at this topic further.

What is Hoarding Disorder?

Hoarding Disorder: This is a condition that is closely related to Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). It is characterised by an individual struggling to discard possessions, often causing them to excessively hoard items. This often leads to an unhealthy living environment, and often becomes a fire hazard. It also commonly affects an individual’s social life.

Definitions

Hoarding in general refers to the practice of accumulating goods, items, or resources. It is intended for times of war.

Clutter meanwhile can be defined as a collection of items that are left in an untidy state. Many people have houses with clutter.

As shown by the definitions, there are certainly some similarities. But there are some important differences too – as will be discussed below.

What are the key differences?

In terms of the function of a home, when people have clutter, it normally won’t affect the overall functionality. While it won’t look pretty, rooms will continue to serve their purpose and can be used as normal.

However, the house of someone with Hoarding Disorder will often become unusable. For example, the hoard can overcome the room and result in certain appliances, or even entire rooms, becoming unusable.

In terms of discarding items, those with clutter can let go and throw out items. While they may do this with reluctance, they are able to do so.

However, for those with Hoarding Disorder, it can be incredibly challenging, or even impossible, for them to discard items – even if they are broken or useless.

Socially, clutter may be a minor source of embarrassment for some people. They may dismiss their house as being ‘untidy’ or ‘lived in’. But they will still open their house for visitors.

However, those with Hoarding Disorder would be highly unlikely to have any visitors. They would often be embarrassed of their hoard and fear judgement from others.

In regards to safety, those with clutter may need to be more vigilant around their house, in case of a fire or other hazards.

But those with Hoarding Disorder will typically live in an area that has fire hazards. Exits will often be blocked, they will be at risk of falling, and insect infestations. Therefore, they become at risk of several health issues.

Emotionally, those who have clutter may think that it is nothing to be worried about – or they may see clutter as a mild inconvenience.

But those that hoard will typically have low mood, anxiety, and feel distressed and shameful. Aside from Hoarding Disorder, they will also often have other mental health conditions, such as Depression or Anxiety.

Summary

Overall, there are quite a few differences between clutter and hoarding. There is certainly some consistencies, but the differences are important to consider.

Those with Hoarding Disorder should seek treatment wherever possible. Treatment will typically involve talking therapy. By getting treatment, it can result in improved mental wellbeing and a safer environment.

See Also

• Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Section
• Hoarding Disorder: Information, Symptoms, Treatment and More
• What Are The Complications of Hoarding Disorder?
• What Sort of Things Are Typically Hoarded in Hoarding Disorder?