What is Hoarding and Squalor?

It’s not uncommon for the community to think that Hoarding Disorder (HD) & Severe Domestic Squalor (SDS) is more related to laziness than a mental health disorder, thus adding to the stigma and shame that people already feel about themselves. This is far from the truth. It’s not about the ‘stuff’ but rather about what the ‘stuff’ represents. If you think of an iceberg, what we can see above the water isn’t the problem but more about what we don’t see underneath the water - this is where the real challenge lies.

HD and SDS are two separate conditions and can present independently of each other or coexist together, whether clients live with hoarding or squalor, both come with comorbidity. People who experience SDS can be further impacted by long term health issues due to the neglect they have for themselves and their environment. It is also reasonable to expect that people living in squalid conditions will have other coexisting issues such as alcohol dependence, drug use, and other mental health disorders. It severely impacts people’s ability to function daily and use the rooms in their home for their intended use. It impacts families, often causing family breakdowns, shame, and community judgement which then results in people isolating themselves, further exasperating the problem.

If you have a hoarding or squalor problem, it may mean that your clutter could be a result of something that has happened many years ago which has developed into strongly held beliefs and values about your possessions. It may have its roots in trauma or grief. Whatever the reason, it is important to realise that living in a cluttered environment can affect your health, support networks, finances, and your ability to connect to the community around you.

What beliefs do you have about your possessions? Do they represent a monetary, instrumental, sentimental, or emotional value? Do they bring you comfort or provide a sense of safety? Do they serve as reminders and without them do you feel like you will forget something or if you can’t see an item, do you feel like you will lose the memory it represents? Or do you have a strong sense of responsibility to ‘save’ the item or that it could be useful either now or in the future? All these beliefs can cause significant anxiety if you are asked to discard any of your possessions.  Extreme clutter dominates time, space and personal functioning for you and for other family members.

You may also be at risk of a range of other issues including health risks, homelessness, isolation and family breakdown. If you are living with hoarding or squalor, you will need long term intervention that provides acknowledgment, support, and acceptance of your problem.