We all have times when our house seems messy and more cluttered than usual. How do you know when you have crossed the line between clutter and hoarding? There is a big difference between the two and many people don’t understand it. For those that are concerned that clutter has turned into hoarding, Nadia’s House Cleaning is here to shed some light on the differences between the two.
 

Hoard Meaning; Hoarding is More than a Mess

Those that suffer from a hoarding disorder have much more than just a messy house. They often collect things. These things usually have little to no value. You may notice a friend or loved one start to collect junk mail, or condiments from their favorite fast food restaurants. These might seem like inconsequential things, but to a hoarder, they have real value. Those with a hoarding disorder will find it very painful to let any of these things go. When this disorder is present in a household, it often puts strains on relationships and creates an environment that the one with a disorder feels shame over. There are often several rooms in a hoarders’ home that aren’t able to be used because of the amount of junk that has been collected over time.
 

A Messy House is Not Always a Sign of Mental Illness or Disorder

Everyone has different tolerance when it comes to clutter. Unlike hoarding, it isn’t considered to be a mental illness although it may be a sign of some conditions such as bipolar disorder. When someone is collecting many possessions and doesn’t have a hoarding disorder, these items usually carry value and aren’t considered junk to everyone else. When someone simply has a cluttered home, the house is still a safe place to reside and doesn’t pose a health risk. All of the rooms should be able to be used as they are intended, and there isn’t the same level of shame involved in clutter like there is with hoarding. Those that have a cluttered home may have a hard time keeping their home neat and tidy, but it doesn’t interfere with their lives like a hoarding disorder does.
 

Symptoms for How to Tell if You or a Loved One Has a Hoarding Disorder

When you suspect a hoarding problem, there are signs that can help you evaluate the problem.
– Collecting junk mail, magazines, newspaper & more
– Rooms that can’t be used as they are intended because of the mountains of items
– Food and trash accumulating throughout the house, making it unhealthy to live there
– Embarrassment and shame when people come to visit
– Inability to part with useless items
– Unhealthy attachment to items and anxiety when others handle or touch them
 

Hoarding Clean Up Services & More in Boston, Brookline, Lexington, Cambridge, Suffolk, Middlesex, & Norfolk County Massachusetts

A hoarding disorder is a very real problem. If you or someone you love struggles with this dilemma, it is important to seek out the right help. When a hoarder is ready to make the right changes in their life to move past the disorder, there will be quite the mess that needs to be cleaned up. The professional cleaners at Nadia’s House Cleaning specialize in cleaning a house where someone is struggling with hoarding. We can help you get your house back. Call us today!