How To Tell If You Are A Hoarder

Risk Factors

Medical professionals and researchers alike are not quite sure what causes hoarding, but they have an idea what can trigger such behavior. Hoarding typically begins around the ages of eleven to fifteen and tends to worsen as individuals age. Risk factors that can cause or trigger signs of hoarding include an individual’s personality, family history, and stressful life events. For many patients, their personalities play a pivotal role, as those who have a hoarding disorder tend to have a temperament that includes indecisiveness, and are often disorganized in various areas of their life. A family history of hoarding also increases a person’s risk of developing this disorder as research shows there is a strong association between having a family member who hoards and another member developing the disorder. Finally, stressful life events can increase the chances of hoarding, as some individuals may have difficulties coping with the death of a loved one, a divorce, eviction, or losing their possessions in a fire.

Hoarding also causes numerous complications, such as an increased risk of falls, injury or being trapped by shifting or falling things, a fire hazard, unsanitary conditions that risk one’s health, family conflicts, loneliness and social isolation, poor work performance, and legal issues, such as eviction.

Next, explore treatments options available to those who have a hoarding disorder.