Hoarding

Hoarding is a condition where someone struggles to get rid of things, even if they have little or no value.

It is characterised by a persistent difficulty in discarding possessions, leading to a significant accumulation of items that clutter living spaces, cause distress, and impair a person’s daily functioning and safety. Hoarding behaviour can lead to unsafe living conditions and strained relationships.

Difference between collecting and hoarding

There is a difference between:

• collecting and hoarding
• living in a cluttered environment and living in an organised environment
• hoarding as a behaviour and as a mental health condition
• someone who looks after animals and someone who hoards animals
• a clean environment and squalor

Hoarding disorder

Hoarding disorder (external site) is a recognised mental illness in Australia. However, hoarding behaviours may often be undiagnosed or experienced alongside other conditions.

People with the disorder often feel a strong need to keep things for the future and become very distressed at the thought of letting them go.

Signs of hoarding disorder may include:

• significant and often irrational difficulty letting go of things or throwing things out, regardless of their value
• saving items for future use, and there is a lot of distress associated with discarding them.

Animal hoarding

Animal hoarding occurs when someone keeps more animals than they can properly care for, often resulting in inadequate food, shelter, and lack of veterinary attention. This often means the animals do not have enough space, live in poor conditions and are unwell.

People who hoard animals may not recognise the declining health or living conditions of their animals and might deny or downplay the problem. Often, animal hoarding starts with good intentions, but over time, the animals can suffer neglect and may eventually need to be rescued or rehomed.

Squalor

Squalor refers to a living environment that is extremely unclean or unsanitary due to long-term neglect, creating serious health and safety risks. This situation often arises when a person does not remove rubbish and waste from their home over an extended period.

Homes affected by squalor may be dirty, cluttered, and unhygienic, with issues such as too many animals, pest infestations, and other hazards.

Poor living conditions can disrupt everyday activities like cooking, bathing, cleaning, and sleeping. In severe cases, problems can extend beyond the home, affecting neighbours through fire risks, unpleasant smells, or pests.

Reasons for hoarding and squalor behaviour

The reasons why a person hoards or lives in squalor are complex and often associated with underlying:

• mental health conditions
• trauma and stress
• cognitive difficulties
• social isolation and other social factors.

Where to get help

Seeking support from a mental health professional may be important to treat the underlying reason why the hoarding started, alongside other practical actions.

Read help with hoarding to learn about support available.