I wanted to talk about the subject of a hoarders life. Hoarding on the surface seems so similar, but every hoarder is very unique. Most hoarding starts with depression and post trauma, but how is it that some people can cope with tragedy and loss while others cannot? Some people eat their pain away while others turn to drinking. What makes a person start acquiring "stuff"?

Most often we find that the acquiring not only fills a void but provides feelings that they have been lacking. When a hoarder purchases an item, finds a bargain, locates something that is broken but can be fixed...these all provide a rush for the hoarder. The acquisition releases endorphins in the brain, and feelings of happiness and joy are found once again. Remember that hoarding typically causes isolation and reduced social interaction so the normal happiness and joy are rare for the hoarder.

It is not uncommon to go into homes and find dozens if not hundreds of items still in their original boxes, never to be opened. Why is this? I call it "Chasing the High". The high is present when that bargain is found, or the hoarder orders an item from Amazon, Home Shopping Network, or QVC, but as they drive the item home or it is transit to their house the high is a little less, and by the time the item gets to their home, the high is gone and the item was never truly needed so it gets tossed in a pile never to be used.

This is true with the project hoarder or craft hoarder. The plans of fixing and building give them a rush, or a high. But the grandiose plans never come to fruition and the items just sit, never to be repaired or used.

A hoarder must realize that this is a false high, and the feelings are not truly replacing what they are missing out of life...people, relationships, love, and passion. Sound familiar?

This chasing of the high is so common, that it is something we need to study more on, and learn as much as we can. We know in these circumstances, much more is needed then just cleaning out the home. The hoarder needs to truly understand what their voids are and how to fill them with something real, not with simple objects. While the clutter provides a security blanket of sorts, it is simultaneously destroying them even further. Hoarding compounds itself over time and the longer it goes unchecked, the more difficult it will be to change the behavior.

Please share your thoughts and experiences if you can relate :)