Over time, you’ll start to notice areas that hold extreme amounts of clutter and very little organization throughout the home. Discuss the reasons behind it.
There is a significant difference between being messy and being a hoarder. Some garages or households may look junky, but they don’t necessarily mean that homeowner is a hoarder. Before approaching the person you’re concerned about, it’s a good idea to be certain of their habits. Look over these top four warning signs for hoarder disorders.
Clutter Without Organization
Some homes have clutter, but there might be a method to the madness. When it comes to hoarder disorders, there is no organization or method in sight. The hoarder might try and convince you that there is a reason behind the state of their home, but there is not.
You’ll notice areas with piles of items without any order or strategy. They will stack their possessions on top of each other in a precarious manner. They will excessively acquire items they have no need for or any space in their homes to hold them.
Unsanitary Living Conditions
Due to the excessive clutter and lack of organization, a sanitary lifestyle is no longer a priority. Picking up after themselves does not make sense as more items start to stack and build up. You might start to notice garbage occupying areas of the homes instead of being thrown away.
The home may hold an odor from dirty clothes, full kitchen sinks, and garbage. The refrigerator may have mold. People with hoarder disorder tend to rely on takeout because their kitchen is not suitable to cook inside; over time, the takeout boxes might start to pile up, too.
Defensive Behavior
Once you notice the condition of their home, you might try to approach the subject of them being hoarders. They might get defensive and agitated with the subject, making it difficult for you to help them. Try not to come off as offensive, as you want to appear supportive of their hoarding behavior.
Aside from getting defensive, they might come up with excuses as to why they can’t clean out their home. Stay calm and patient with them and listen to their reasons behind keeping certain items. Give them a list of options and remind them you want to help them for their health and safety.
Inaccessibility to Home
When you enter a hoarder’s home, you might encounter some difficulty. There will be areas you don’t have access to or places for you to even sit. Certain rooms like the kitchen or bathroom may hold no use or even stop functioning.
In the home of a hoarder, you will rarely see a clear pathway for you to walk through. Some cases are more extreme than others. If they start to specifically direct to walk down only one designated path, their condition might be more severe than you perceived.
Broaching the subject of hoarding to an actual hoarder will be difficult. After reading and noticing the warning signs of the disorder, make sure to practice patience and understanding.