Is hoarding a sign of PD? Earlier today I watched a TV show about people who can't throw anything away. And I realized I'm a F###### hoarder. I had a dozen pair of old running shoes piled up in the living room. In my mind they were usable for mowing the lawn or special runs like running in snow or running in the rain or using a treadmill. Then I had occasion to check kitchen cabinets and saw a two-dozen plastic bowls that had originally held take-out gumbo from my favorite restaurant. Then I looked in a corner and saw a 2-ft high stack of books I'd read but never gotten rid of. So I'm a hoarder. My wife and daughter argued that I'm not but they have similar problems throwing stuff out.
So I tossed it all out. I know used books can be sold online but I wanted a clean break. Besides, the reason for the stack on the floor was that my bookcase is full. I saved two pair of running shoes but they're in the bedroom closet with the dress shoes. Then I tossed out a dozen medications for PD that I tried and found had never helped.
kpo
Written by
kaypeeoh
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Hi, you are definitely not a hoarder! I am a psychotherapist and a social worker and I’ve been working with folks that have this issue since 1998 and you my dear are far more organized than what you describe And from what I see in the picture you are a very good collector. Nice and neat and organized and that’s wonderful to see! If you would like to see what hoarding really looks like I can show you several pictures and trust me you are quite the opposite.
Furthermore, if you have things that are of no use, we can always give them to Goodwill or other folks in need. With the pandemic especially so many families and children especially are in need of good books and clothing and shoes etc. especially shoes!
My HWP never wants to throw anything out, but I'm not much better either. I'm like you, especially with my old gym shoes, plastic containers and books! If I do have a rare clear out ie bathroom cabinet, there's always something I throw out that I wished I hadn't!
Trust me, you are not a hoarder! Now, my Mom and brother are hoarders! They have to keep everything, once they’ve found a place for it - most everything that comes in the house! My Mom had many Knick knack’s, and she new where every one was, in her house! She had 4 closets full of clothes, and shoes, in her summer house, and 3 closets full of clothes, and shoes, in her winter house! My brother is something else! He lives alone in a large 4 bedroom home, with a pool, and nearly all the space on the floor, and walls is taken up with something! He can’t part with anything!
I would also agree you are not a hoarder! I do the same thing regarding items I see still having use, and end up with the same thing. I just threw away 3 garbage cans full of stuff/junk that I saved and hadn't used for 7 years! Lol
I also like to keep stuff, but only MY stuff. I hate to collect stuff from other people or streets. I know somebody who filled the house with all kind of crap starting with expired propane tanks, non-functional TV's, chairs, tables etc. , all collected from places where they were thrown away. There is no room to walk in the house but they still keep collecting so everything is messy in their place including the garage and the backyard. That is called HOARDING. What you do and what I do is not called hoarding. Actually I love to have a lot empty space in my house.
It also afflicts those who have schizophrenia. I have several clients with that and they also have issues with executive functioning which can turn into having hoarding issues as they get older.
Nope, that sounds like me. Not a hoarder, but lots of stuff i think "I may have a use for it" at some point. I've started clearing it out too.
I learned it from my mom who grew up during the second world war. She would never throw away something that could be of future use, but she was super organized! I'm not so I have more piles here and there.
Minimalism is the fashion trend of the moment. Perhaps you are confusing avoiding hoarding with minimalism. Personally I like homes where people have personalised their space with ‘stuff’, especially books, (which I consider a sin to throw away!)
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