What are some common values or social norms that may influence the manifestation of hoarding disorder? How could these encourage (or discourage) someone from seeking help? by

buildafc — 2025-03-01 20:39:33 UTC

The stigma around mental health issues coupled with the shame of having a 'messy home,' creates a double barrier. People may avoid seeking help due to fear of judgment and the cultural expectation of maintaining a perfectly organized home.

2025-04-09 19:15:19 UTC

Stuff is important and the more the better. Keeping stuff to reuse is Yankee ingenuity. And/or just clean out your house and get rid of all this stuff. I don't think most people understand that hoarding is a mental disorder. I also think it is particularly hard for family members because it can cause so much isolation and tension. I have heard family members express the person is choosing their stuff over their family.

2025-05-18 00:46:32 UTC

We live in a 'throw away' society for the 'haves' but many more people are the 'have nots'. The fear of not having enough is real for people as the society faces true economic downturns or even perceived scarcity. We know that people who have lived without will hang on to things because they never know if there will be another needed article coming their way. Our grandmothers who lived through the depression, wars , or being an immigrant were not deemed to have a mental disorder. I think the impact of past scarcity is one thing that drives this condition while also recognizing that the cause is much more complex and the outcomes more severe.Melinda R.