RP168 A House Full of Junk

 RP168 A House Full of Junk

Do you have anything in your home that you never use, but can't bear to throw out? Maybe some old toys from your childhood, or books that you never finished reading, or an outdated cell phone that you think you might need in an emergency? Everyone hangs on to some items longer than is necessary, but hoarders take this practice to the extreme.

Hoarding is a form of behavior which means that a person simply cannot part with anything. It is more than just the desire to collect old things. Hoarders hold on to everything they own forever, no matter how useless it may seem to others. Commonly hoarded items include personal possessions like clothes and photographs, as well as more unusual things such as buttons and old electronics. Some people even keep garbage like old newspapers and advertisements. One woman reported needing 58 enormous boxes to carry useless art supplies with her when she moved to a new house!

But hoarding isn't just an unusual personal characteristic. It can lead to serious consequences for people. For one thing, hoarders tend to be very disorganized. Boxes and rooms fill up with trash, and this can lead to a dirty and unhealthy living situation. Another problem is the emotional impact on the hoarder's family. Imagine living with a family member who gets upset anytime you try to throw something away. It can be incredibly stressful for everyone involved.

Hoarding is recognized as a psychological problem, so it is possible for hoarders to get treatment. One woman participated in a 30-day program which encouraged her to throw out one item on the first day, two on the second day, and so on. Throwing away your trash may seem simple and natural to most of us. For hoarders, though, it can be a long and often painful road to cleaning up both their homes and their lives.