7 Signs of a Hoarding Problem

Hoarding may seem funny to some who don’t have a loved one who hoards. For those of us who care about them, it may seem hoarders don’t care about themselves, their loved ones, or their belongings. But the fact of the matter is that hoarding can be a sign of bigger issues like anxiety, OCD, depression, and even dementia. 

Here are seven signs that you or your loved one might have a hoarding problem. 

1. They Can’t Throw Anything Away

This might seem like an obvious one but there’s a difference between saving a few items like your children’s drawings and keeping all of the credit card applications you receive because you can’t part with them. People who suffer from hoarding will have a difficult time when you try to get them to throw things out. 

2. Anxiety and Stress

If the person who you suspect is hoarding begins to get upset, stressed, anxious, or disturbed when you try to convince them to throw something away, then they may have a bigger problem. We aren’t attempting to diagnose anyone, but if this is happening, healthcare professionals can help. 

3. They Need Everything

Does this person say they need that chalkboard that’s cracked because they’re gonna fix it later? Or maybe they have a ton of silverware they never use but when you suggest they donate or sell it they say they need it. And we’re not talking two sets of silverware, a hoarder can have a table stacked with dozens of flatware sets and say they need them, but never entertain.

4. They Don’t Know Where to Put the Excess

A hoarder is someone who collects or purchases an excessive amount of items. This leads to packed closets and storage rooms, which eventually leak out into rooms and hallways. They may claim they’re planning on finding a place for it but you can tell when there’s nowhere else available. 

5. Doesn’t Want Anyone Touching Their Stuff

Some people are possessive of their things, but hoarders take it to an extreme. They let things collect and, when faced with questions about all the purchases or items, they get defensive. This could be a sign of possible hoarder issues. 

6. Unconcerned About Safety

Hoarders let things pile up around them, which can eventually make it difficult for anyone to get around the home. There is a real risk of piles tumbling down and burying a person, which can lead to some severe industries, especially if they are older. 

7. Won’t See Family or Friends

At one point, the hoarders will stop coming around and they won’t allow anyone to come visit them. If the person you know is doing this, then we highly recommend getting them some help. As we’ve said, hoarders live in unstable environments and every day they’re left there they risk being hurt. 

What To Do Next?

Once the hoarder is convinced that getting rid of their clutter is in the best interest of their health, it may take a team to help them remove all the stuff they’ve accumulated. Here at Homie’s Load & Dump, we’ve been helping residents of Charlotte, Lake Norman, Mooresville, and Matthews, North Carolina deal with hoard removal for years. 

Give us a call and our experts will help you get that home cleared out and livable again.