SIGNS THAT YOU ARE A HOARDER?

 From the Article 'Too Much Stuff? It Could Be Compulsive Hoarding'
Learn Whether Your Messy Habits Are Those of A Compulsive Hoarder
By Stephanie Schorow, Special to Lifescript
Published August 9, 2011
From www.lifescript.com

10 Signs You Could Be a Hoarder

Could you, or someone you love, have a hoarding problem? Watch out for these red flags. (These were adopted in part from the workbook “Compulsive Hoarding and Acquiring” by Steketee and Frost.)

1. Acquiring objects brings a rush. Many hoarders report feeling powerful joy from finding a bargain or rescuing what they perceive as a useful item from the trash.

2. You have trouble finding things. Hoarders often can’t locate items or even enjoy them. Sometimes they don’t take purchases out of the bag.

3. Throwing things out upsets you. Hoarders let items pile up to avoid the emotional distress of discarding them.

4. Fix-it projects pile up faster than you can repair them. Hoarders intend to mend broken items but never get to them.

5. You avoid having visitors. Many compulsive hoarders find excuses for keeping guests out of their homes.

6. You put off repairs because your house is a mess. Hoarders are often too embarrassed to open their door to a plumber, carpenter or landlord.

7. You’re saving items because they might be useful or valuable someday. Hoarders place value on items that are worthless or of little value.

8. You’ve maxed out credit cards. Hoarders can’t resist sales and bargains – even for non-essential or frivolous items – and will spend themselves into bankruptcy.

9. You’re afraid to throw out old newspapers or magazines because you might miss something important. Hoarders often convince themselves that they need to save every publication that comes into their home. Or they save articles they think will interest others but never get around to sharing them. (This often leads to dangerous piles of combustible material.)

10. You can’t use rooms in your house because of clutter. If you can’t cook in your kitchen because of all the items stored in it or sleep in your bed because it’s covered with clothes, you’re entering hoarding territory.

Stephanie Schorow is a Boston-based freelance writer.

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MY THOUGHTS

I'm so happy I am way past this stage.  It's a sick way of living.  Can you imagine buying things you cannot enjoy because you can't find them?