For Professionals
What is Hoarding Disorder?
Hoarding Disorder is a recognised mental health condition. It involves persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions, regardless of their monetary value. This difficulty is usually linked to a strong perceived need to keep items and significant distress at the thought of letting them go.
Over time, possessions can accumulate to the point where living spaces become difficult to use for their intended purpose. This can affect a person's health, wellbeing, relationships, and ability to carry out everyday activities.
Hoarding Disorder is not simply about being untidy, collecting possessions, or choosing to live in a particular way. It is a complex mental health condition that often develops gradually and requires understanding, compassion, and appropriate support.
Common Characteristics
A persistent difficulty letting go of possessions, regardless of their monetary or practical value. This may include items that are broken, unused, or duplicated.
- A feeling that possessions must be kept, often because they may be useful in the future, have sentimental value, or feel personally significant.
- A strong emotional connection to belongings, which may be associated with memories, personal experiences, or a sense of security.
- Experiencing feelings of anxiety, distress or guilt when considering getting rid of possessions or when faced with the possibility of losing them.
Hoarding support without judgement
We understand that hoarding is about more than possessions. It's about feelings, experiences, and coping strategies that have helped make sense of difficult times.
We work with you, not on you! We respect your choices, your home and what matters most to you.
"Your home.
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Your pace."
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