Clutter and hoarding

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