What is Hoarding?Hoarding defined The word hoard is defined in the dictionary as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, a hoard is defined as a carefully collected and guarded store of money, food or other treasured objects. This definition is not far from the meaning of hoard or hoarding as a verb - except for one little detail - there is nothing 'careful' about "hoarding". It probably starts as a controlled thing that easily gets out of hand. Hoard as a verb means to collect something in (large) quantities and storing it away. Some people hoard clothes, others containers and some even keep animals in uncontrollable and/or unreasonable quantities. this is also why some people regard hoarders as mentally disabled.
Why and how do people become hoarders?Why and how do people become hoarders?Hoarding is a very common phenomenon and may indicate underlying emotional baggage - no pun intended. It is emotional, mental and/or psychological. It is very much an obsessive behaviour or illness/disorder if you will - and much related to OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder). People who keep large quantities of certain stuff or everything may do so for different reasons. Some feel secure when they have stuff surrounding them, while others are just anxious to give or throw anything away - what if they need it? Often the causes of these insecurities and anxieties are difficult to figure out - which is why you should see a psychologist/psychiatrist if you or your loved one has a hoarding problem.
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