Hoarding is a disorder where someone collects an excessive amount of items.
People who hoard often store things they collect in a chaotic way.
It can be a serious concern to communities and can cause distress to the hoarder and the people around them.
Hoarders may:
- keep or collect items that are free or cheap, for example, junk mail and carrier bags
- keep things that they plan to re-use or repair
- become emotionally attached to items, refusing to let anyone touch or borrow them
- find it hard to organise items
- have difficulty making decisions or managing everyday tasks
- have poor relationships with family or friends
- have rooms in their homes they can’t get into
