If you love collecting items, you may have jokingly called yourself a hoarder on numerous occasions. Today, this term is used lightly across the globe. However, the act of hoarding has a deeper, darker connotation.
In actuality, hoarding disorder is a dangerous condition that entails the acquisition and storage of an excessive number of items. Sufferers hoard, arrange, and rearrange these items obsessively and chaotically.
The physical outcome is an unmanageable amount of clutter. However, the condition also takes a toll on the sufferer’s mental and emotional health. Since these people have an unhealthy obsession with possessions, their sense of self and relationships are affected.
If you’re prone to hoarding, make sure you understand whether you’re just an avid collector or you suffer from hoarding disorder. Making this distinction is imperative. In this blog, we’ll outline the five stages of hoarding disorder to offer more clarity.
1. Hoarding Level
As the mildest stage of hoarding, this level compels people to collect light amounts of clutter in odorless, sanitary, and safe conditions. The person may have trouble getting rid of these items but since it’s light clutter, it’s not an issue.
2. Hoarding Level
Level 2 is more severe. People suffering from this stage of hoarding have at least one dysfunctional household appliance. In addition, at least one home exit is blocked by clutter.
3. Hoarding Level
In this stage, there’s visible clutter inside and outside the home. Multiple appliances are dysfunctional, and certain areas of the home cannot be used. There’s significant evidence of poor sanitation (unemptied trash cans, dirt and grime, bothersome odors, etc.).
4. Hoarding Level
As the second most intense stage, this entails mold and mildew development in the home. There’s significant structural damage. In addition, there are signs of sewage building, bad odors, damaged doors/windows/walls, rotting food, unusable utensils and dishes, etc.
5. Hoarding Level
As the most severe stage of hoarding, this level shouldn’t be ignored under any circumstances. Sufferers live in extremely unsanitary conditions. No room is usable. There’s no running water or electricity. Clutter fills every section of every room. In addition, there’s heavy infestation of bed bugs, cockroaches, spiders, and other pests and insects. The space smells rotten.
If you suffer from hoarding disorder, we strongly recommend seeking help at the earliest. As a trained, experienced, and qualified hypnotist, Rekha leverages subconscious mind healing techniques to help people ease out of their hoarding tendencies.
Find out more about her approach and once you’re ready, schedule a free consultation. Rekha also treats subconscious anxiety and helps people with smoking cessation, weight loss, and codependency recovery.
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