Am I a Hoarder?

Opinions vary regarding what clutter is and there is a wide range of tolerance for said clutter in one’s space. Thankfully the Clutter Image Rating, provided online by the International OCD Foundation, can help you determine where your home ranks in terms of hoarding classification. Comparing the condition of your living space to the images in the Clutter Image Rating can help you gauge whether or not you might need professional help in managing a hoarding disorder.

Even if your living space does not match the extreme pictures on the CIR scale, there are other factors to consider if you’re struggling with clutter at home. If too much stuff in your house is making it difficult to complete basic needs, you probably have a clutter problem. For example, if you routinely move piles to bathe, prepare food or access certain rooms, you probably need to declutter. Some other signs of a clutter problem include unhealthy living conditions due to dust, dirt and mold because the space cannot be properly cleaned regularly. Living conditions that have tripping hazards are especially dangerous for older people. Are you comfortable hosting guests in your space? If the answer is no because you don’t want anyone to see the condition of your home, that’s probably a sign to get serious about cleaning up. A final point to consider is the financial aspect of hoarding. Even if your house is mostly clutter free, if you are paying to keep stuff in a storage unit, you might want to consider the monthly financial impact of hoarding.

Bottom line, your home should be clean and clear enough for every member of the household to function with ease and if that isn’t the case, you should consider clearing stuff out.