4 Steps to Overcoming Hoarding Disorder

Hoarding is classified as a disorder once it becomes detrimental to your health, relationships, and daily life. If you think you may be suffering from hoarding disorder, you’re already on your way to recovery because acknowledging a problem is the first step to solving it. While it’s true that the road to recovery isn’t always smooth or linear, we’ve prepared a few steps for you to follow to help you on your journey.

  1. Get professional help

One way we can overcome mental disorders is by seeking help from psychiatrists, therapists, or rehabilitation centers. These support systems can prescribe you medication or lead you on the road to recovery by addressing the behavior’s root cause. Often, disorders are caused by deep-seated trauma, and once you acknowledge and overcome that trauma, it will be easier for you to take concrete steps to get your life back on track.

  1. Declutter

People suffering from hoarding disorder can be characterized by their hesitation or refusal to throw things away, even broken items or garbage. Given this, it’s crucial to your recovery that you learn to let go of things you no longer need. This will be easier once you’ve had professional help, as they can help you rationalize your hoarding habits and put you in a better mindset to start decluttering your home. Start by throwing out the obvious trash: plastic wrappers, used disposable items, old bills, and documents. After that, you can look at all your other possessions and throw out items you haven’t used in years. To ease your burden, you can also hire hoarder cleaning services.

  1. Adopt a one-in, one-out policy

To prevent things from accumulating, you need to be strict with yourself and promise to throw away one thing for every one thing you buy. It can be any item similar to the one you just bought. For example, if you buy a new bag, you have to get rid of another bag, preferably one you haven’t used in a long time or one of a similar color and style. Through this method, the chances of your hoarding habits returning are decreased since you’re learning to dispose of unnecessary items.

  1. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from friends and family

It can be hard to monitor our own habits, so it’s best to request assistance from your loved ones. It would be better if one of them could live with you so they can easily inform you of any relapses and can offer support when you’re feeling vulnerable. They can also help you declutter if you’re still having difficulty throwing things away.

Recovering from a disorder takes a lot of strength and discipline on your part, but if you listen to your doctor or therapist and build a good support system, it will make the process much easier. Don’t beat yourself up when you relapse or miss a few appointments. What’s important is you continue onward to recovery no matter how many times you stumble.

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