Hoarding is a mental health issue where people acquire excessive belongings and struggle to get rid of them. This leads to cluttered and disorganized living spaces. It goes beyond normal clutter or collecting behaviors and can have a profound impact on an individual’s daily functioning, relationships, and overall well-being.
The negative effects of clutter can extend far beyond a simple mess and become a serious problem for both individuals and their surroundings.
Understanding the different stages of hoarding is essential in comprehending the condition and offering the necessary assistance to those who require it.
We will discuss the five stages of hoarding in this blog to raise awareness among the US audience about this issue and how it relates to fair housing practices.
Stage 1: Acquiring and Saving
In the initial phase of hoarding, there is a tendency to accumulate and retain many objects. People in this phase face a challenge in getting rid of their belongings as they deem them valuable or potentially handy at some point in time. Consequently, they amass substantial amounts of possessions, frequently exceeding the capacity of their living area. The urge to collect can range from sentimental items to seemingly worthless objects.
Stage 2: Clutter and Disorganization
During the second stage, disorder and messiness become increasingly noticeable. As the living area becomes more cluttered, it becomes progressively difficult to move around and uphold a hygienic and secure setting. Possessions clutter common areas like hallways, tables, and floors, getting in the way of daily activities and raising the danger of falls and accidents.
Stage 3: Difficulty Discarding
The third stage marks a significant difficulty in discarding items. People who hoard tend to form strong emotional connections with their belongings, which makes it very difficult to get rid of anything, regardless of its practical value. The attachment to possessions is often fueled by the fear of making the wrong decision or losing something valuable. As a result, the living space tends to become cluttered.
Stage 4: Isolation and Impairment
As hoarding progresses, individuals may begin to isolate themselves from friends, family, and social activities due to embarrassment or shame about their living conditions. During this phase, individuals may exhibit symptoms of cognitive impairment, such as difficulties with decision-making and memory.
Stage 5: Health and Safety Risks
During the last phase, hoarding becomes so extreme that it creates significant risks to health and safety. Having too much clutter and unsanitary conditions can be a magnet for pests, harm air quality, and raise the risk of fires. Accumulating too much stuff can lead to serious issues such as compromising the structural integrity of one’s home, facing eviction, or even violating fair housing regulations. In extreme cases, hoarding can result in homelessness, serious health issues, or even death.
Complying with Fair Housing:
Although it is crucial to comprehend the phases of hoarding, it is equally significant to acknowledge that hoarding is a mental health disorder. People with hoarding tendencies require empathy and support rather than prejudice or unfair treatment. By implementing fair housing practices, every individual is guaranteed equal opportunities to access housing irrespective of their mental health condition or disability.
It is crucial for landlords and property managers to approach hoarding situations with empathy and seek professional help when necessary. It is also necessary to stay aware of the latest fair housing guidelines. Open communication, following local laws, and working with social service agencies can help address hoarding while also complying with fair housing rules.
Conclusion
Hoarding is a complex disorder that affects millions of people in the United States. Understanding the hoarding process is essential to comprehend this complicated condition. We can support people who are battling with hoarding and show sympathy while upholding fair housing standards if we are aware of the symptoms at each stage. We can support a society that values compassion, comprehension, and inclusivity for everyone by destigmatizing hoarding, raising awareness, and offering suitable services.
Check out the webinar from experts in the industry to learn about how to maintain fair housing compliance while managing hoarding issues, to reduce the chance of paying penalties or eviction. Let’s create awareness and help those in need.
