People easily get attached. It’s in our nature. We are known to depend on other people, things and even care too much about our pets.
It’s normal to keep reminders of times you don’t want to forget. But sometimes, people tend to get carried away and focus more on those reminders than the actual memory itself.
You know you have a problem when stuff starts piling up and instead of getting rid of them you keep getting more.
Developing an emotional connection to your belongings can be extremely unhealthy and lead to a psychological disorder called hoarding.
The real danger behind this condition lies in the fact that all that collected mess leaves serious consequences on your physical and mental health. And it gets even worse in time if it’s left untreated.
Here are the main side-effects of hoarding and how you can make it better.
Looking for something leads to frustration
Not being able to find something that you’re looking for can be extremely frustrating. Especially if you are in a hurry. Misplacing things you need and trying to find it in an endless pile of junk is like looking for a needle in a haystack. And before you know it, you are filled up with negative emotions that can lead to arguments with your friends, family or co-workers.
To avoid dealing with situations like these try to keep your home in order as much as you can. Pick up after yourself and get rid of things you don’t use. If you can, clean up on daily basis but if you can do it that often get it down to once a week.
Hoarding causes allergies and other medical conditions
Dust is one of the main issues related to collecting and storing big amounts of stuff in our living area. All dust-related health problems occur when bacteria and mites begin to reproduce in large amounts due to mold formation. Different allergies and respiratory conditions such as bronchitis and asthma are all a direct consequence of piled up dust. Unfortunately, you can get rid of dust completely but you can reduce it to a minimal amount by regular or frequent dusting.
Chaos is bad for the psyche
Having your place overrun with things can cause some serious anxiety. You might not notice the mess at first but in time you’ll subconsciously start feeling the negative effects. Being surrounded by tons of junk will inevitably lead to a sense of discomfort and anxiety. You’ll feel frustrated every time you enter your home not to mention actually living in it.
The only solution here is to get throw away everything you don’t need. The best way to do so is to hire a professional cleaning service who’s affordable rubbish removal prices enables you to get rid of every piece of unwanted junk you have lying around your house.
Getting too attached to things leads to depression
As a society, we are obsessed with material. There’s no denying that. In extreme cases, we become too attached to our belongings and form an unhealthy relationship with things we own. Usually, for emotional reasons a mere thought of losing those things causes depression. The only way to avoid falling victim to this state is to stay realistic and not get overly attached to things. Since that’s easier said than done, try to compartmentalize. Start by throwing away everything that reminds you of a painful memory like a past relationship, a broken marriage, ex-friends or missed opportunities. Everything that causes you sadness must go. Clinging to material reminders of emotional situations stops you from getting on with your life. And that’s something you can’t allow. If you find yourself having a hard time throwing away all that stuff, place them in boxes and store somewhere out of site.
Hoarding restricts your movement
If you become an obsessed collector of everything, moving around will become somewhat difficult. That especially applies to furniture. Too many pieces of furniture in a small apartment or even a regular-size home mean you won’t be able to move without bumping into something or knocking something down. To avoid feeling trapped in your own house, try replacing any extra pieces with multi-purpose furniture. That way, you’ll save up on space and still have a place for anything you decide to keep.
No one likes spending their free time cleaning the house. However, mess is easy to create and if you stop paying attention it will consume you entirely. A neat and tidy home is a reflection of your state of mind as well. Keep it clean and you’ll stay both healthy and happy.
Summary
Hoarding is a psychological disorder which manifests itself as a need to obsessively collect things you don’t need. As a consequence it can lead to a number of physical and mental conditions. Described are some of the main issues associated with hoarding as well as ways to help deal with those issues.