According to the dictionary — and many people — to hoard is simply to save or accumulate stuff. In the organizing industry, the term takes on a deeper meaning. To clarify, someone with hoarding tendencies has unrealistic and irrational attachments to his or her possessions.
The Learning Channel features a program called “Hoarding: Buried Alive.” Each episode follows a participant through the process of assessment, therapy and clean-up of his or her home and property.
It has shed light on an issue that was rarely in the public eye. In the organizing industry, however, hoarding is a well-known condition. In its extreme form, it is now classified as a psychiatric disorder. Despite all of the media attention, only 2 to 5 percent of people fit the criteria.
According to the Institute for Challenging Disorganization, an organization dedicated to educating the public and professionals in the area of chronic disorganization, hoarding is characterized by:
1. The acquisition of, and failure to discard possessions that appear to be useless or of limited value.
2. Living spaces are sufficiently cluttered as to preclude their intended use.
3. Significant distress is caused by the clutter.
The ICD has created a Clutter Hoarding Scale, which includes five levels:
Level I is standard living, common disorganization.
Level II shows some obstruction of exits, more clutter, broken appliances.
Level III is the pivot point between a cluttered home and a hoarding environment.
Level IV requires a collaborative team of service providers including professional organizers, mental health professionals, cleaning contractors, social workers and animal control.
Level V is what is commonly seen on the program.
These folks are living in unsafe conditions with most of their living spaces unusable.
What is interesting to note is that someone with average clutter issues or hoarding tendencies would still ask themselves similar decision-making questions about their possessions: Do I need it? Have I used it or do I plan to use it? Do I have the space for it? Does this help meet my intended goals?
Sandra Lane offers organizing services for the residents and businesses in Sewickley and surrounding areas. She can be reached at www.organizationlane.com, 412-841-7169 or Sandra@organizationlane.com.
