Hoarding: A Personal Account and the Drive for Awareness

Dan MacNee’s Edinburgh residence is filled with immense stacks of boxes, documents, and artistic creations. Paintings, sketches, and maps adorn his walls and doors. He describes the situation as “grim,” noting, “Things everywhere. It’s overwhelming, and I’ve got other spaces just like this. The garage, the workshops, they’re all full.” Dan views this collection as more than mere possessions; he sees it as a reflection of his life’s path. He states, “I’ve got a huge amount of stuff, and I’m always trying to order and organise it,” adding that “The better I get it neat and tidy, the better I cope – not just with my disability, but also the mental illness and the abuse that underlies it.” Dan identifies as a hoarder. He links his condition to relocating more than 50 times across three continents over three decades, explaining that his feeling of security has been consistently disrupted. He comments, “When your sense of security keeps getting pulled out from under you, you hang on to things,” and describes it as “It’s a vain attempt to establish some sense of security.” Although he admits his hoarding causes him to feel “horribly uncomfortable,” Dan struggles to relinquish items. He asserts, “It’s my life, it’s who I am. Even if it makes me uneasy, I can’t just let it go.” Dan is one of approximately 1 in 40 adults under the age of 55 affected by hoarding. Among individuals over 55, the prevalence is approximately 6% of the population, a figure that academics suggest might be a conservative estimate. Hoarding is a condition that may be initiated by experiences of loss, trauma, or existing mental health challenges. While hoarding disorder received official recognition as a mental health condition in 2013, comprehension and public awareness remain restricted. An Edinburgh conference recently brought together experts and professionals to deliberate on methods for assisting individuals such as Dan. The event, arranged by the Hoarding Academy charity, advocated for a cohesive, Scotland-wide strategy to tackle hoarding. Linda Fay, an expert and the founder of the Academy, stresses the critical need for collaborative efforts. She states, “We’ve got people creating policies up and down the country, and it’s a waste of resources,” adding, “We need one set of multi-agency guidelines that we can all adhere to.” Hoarding extends past simple disarray. It transitions into a disorder when the collection of possessions interferes with everyday life and when spaces cease to fulfill their intended functions. Ms Fay explains, “Belongings are there for a reason,” continuing, “They give feelings of comfort, safety, security – whatever it may be. The clutter is just a symptom of what’s going on with the individual.” She affirmed that she would never endorse clearing a person’s home without their consent, stating, “I help people gradually reduce their belongings at their own pace, focusing on practical and therapeutic techniques to manage their space.” Dr Christiana Bratiotis, an associate professor at the University of British Columbia, has devoted extensive time to researching hoarding. During the Edinburgh conference, she declared, “Hoarding is an anxiety-based disorder.” She further clarified, “It’s not a problem of laziness or lack of standards but a mental health condition.” The study of hoarding is a comparatively recent field. Dr Bratiotis highlights, “The research into hoarding is only about 40 years old,” and observes, “Compared to other psychiatric illnesses like depression, which we’ve been studying for centuries, we have a long way to go.” Comprehending hoarding necessitates an exploration of its psychological foundations. Dr Bratiotis states, “We believe hoarding is a complex interplay of various factors,” elaborating that “Genetic vulnerabilities, strong emotions about objects, thoughts about the value of keeping things, and life events all contribute.” Data suggests that approximately 50% of individuals with hoarding disorder have undergone traumatic experiences during childhood, and a significant number also contend with other mental health conditions. She further notes, “Some studies suggest that 92% of those diagnosed with hoarding disorder have one or more other diagnosable mental health problems.” The journey to managing hoarding behavior presents considerable challenges for those impacted. Merely emptying a person’s residence is not an effective remedy and frequently exacerbates the problem. Dr Bratiotis explains, “If you think about it, we all have prized possessions,” adding, “If someone removes items without the person’s control or permission, it can be quite traumatic.” Both Ms Fay and Dr Bratiotis advocate for enhanced awareness and improved resources. Instruments such as the Home Environment Assessment Tool for Hoarding (HEATH) have been created to assist service providers, including fire and housing departments, in identifying potential health and safety hazards within homes. Ms Fay emphasizes, “Accessibility to help is crucial,” observing, “Most people don’t know that there are organisations that can work with people at home, providing practical and therapeutic support.” She additionally highlights the necessity for a national strategy. She states, “We need some national guidelines,” and mentions, “We’ve set up a national hoarding task force.” Dan’s personal path is complex, yet he expresses hope that recounting his experience could motivate others to seek assistance. He remarks, “Everyone’s situation is different,” and advises, “But if you can get support, take it, wherever it comes from. The problem is people think you can just clear it all out and that will solve everything. It doesn’t work like that. Taking the stuff away doesn’t take the emotional abuse away.”