Get the Support You Need

Learn from thousands of users who have made their way through our courses. Need help getting started? Watch this short video.

today's top discussions:

logo

What food is actually considered Healthy..?

Evolution

2025-03-03 11:17 AM

Healthy Weight Community

logo

Health Educators or Moderators missing?

Evolution

2025-03-03 11:16 AM

Quit Smoking Community

logo

Est- ce qu'il y a des forums actifs en franc¸ais ?

Timbo637

2025-02-20 12:27 PM

Quit Smoking Community

logo

My Quit Meter

Timbo637

2025-02-18 6:49 AM

Quit Smoking Community

This Month’s Leaders:

Most Supportive

Most Active

Most Loved

Browse through 411.777 posts in 47.070 threads.

161,703 Members

Please welcome our newest members: ljdvillanueva, Levijaw, jumalli, jonsen, praise

Clutter vs. hoarding


21 years ago 0 25 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
...backed-up laundry, dishes in the sink, books and papers here, there, and everywhere, old e-mail backed-up even...I can hide some of it, but even if it`s hidden away, I know it`s there waiting to get done. *whimper* I chip away at it, but it`s like I`m in slow-motion, and I panic because I feel I can never keep up like a responsible person of my age. I`m just beginning to get into my C-B therapy. Any suggestions on how to deal with this fear of tackling the mess for now?
21 years ago 0 25 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I came across an audiobook talking about "cluttering" (and not being able to deal with the clutter you create)as a psychological response similar to hoarding. Is cluttering an offshoot of hoarding or a separate manifestation of OCD altogether? My compulsion for perfectionism hasn`t caused me to behave in an ultra-organized way...quite the opposite. Sometimes everyday tasks of cleaning and straightening seem so overwhelming that I freeze. It becomes all or nothing; I`ve had this tendency since I was a child, and I am embarrassed for people to see me this way. I`m afraid to invite people over many times because I feel I can never keep up with it and have the house/my room presentable for guests. I tend to be neater and more organized when I`m not under as much stress; the clutter/mess is the worst when my state of mind is at it`s worst. (If the personalities of Oscar and Felix from the "The Odd Couple" were put in a blender, they would have something close to me, I think.) Is this in a category all to itself, or a combination of symptoms for OCD? I would appreciate any input on this...

Reading this thread: