Hoarding and Squalor

Overview

Hoarding and squalor are complex issues that can greatly affect a person’s mental health and wellbeing. With proper support, including professional intervention and educational programs, these conditions can be managed, leading to a better quality of life. Understanding the specific features and stages of hoarding, along with the related mental health factors, is key to offering effective assistance.

Keith’s story: a personal and touching film about hoarding. Birmingham Safeguarding Adults Board

Definition

Definition of Hoarding

Hoarding is a recognised mental health condition characterised by an ongoing difficulty in letting go of or parting with possessions, regardless of their monetary value. This accumulation results in clutter that can obstruct the use of living spaces and significantly impact a person’s daily life.

Hoarding is no longer considered a subtype of the mental health condition obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), but rather, is recognised separately.

Definition of Squalor

Squalor means living in very poor conditions where cleanliness and safety are no longer maintained, often due to a buildup of waste.

Unlike hoarding, which is about a person’s attachment to their belongings, squalor refers to the impact on the living environment. Severe domestic squalor often overlaps with hoarding, but they are distinct challenges that may or may not coexist.

5 Stages of Hoarding

Hoarding develops in stages, becoming worse as clutter builds up and the person’s ability to manage it decreases. These are the five recognised stages of hoarding which include

Minimal clutter
Mild Clutter
Moderate Clutter
Severe Clutter
Extreme Clutter

To learn more about each stage visit Epiphany Wellness – Understanding The 5 Stages of Hoarding.

Types

Hoarding can differ depending on the types of items collected. These categories show the different forms of hoarding:

Domestic Hoarding

Accumulation of everyday items like clothes, furniture, and household objects.

Animal Hoarding

The excessive collection of animals, often to the detriment of their wellbeing, as the person is unable to provide appropriate care.

Food Hoarding

Compulsive hoarding of large amounts of food, often more than can be eaten or stored safely.

Garbage Hoarding

Keeping large amounts of rubbish, which creates a dangerous living environment.

Sentimental Hoarding

Hoarding based on emotional attachment to items, regardless of their usefulness or value.

Media or Paper Hoarding

Accumulating books, newspapers, and other paper materials, often making rooms unusable.

How is mental health and Hoarding and Squalor related?

Mental health is closely connected to hoarding and squalor.

Hoarding is now recognised as a distinct mental health condition, separate from OCD. People living with hoarding may have difficulties with decision-making, organisation, and managing emotions, which can make it challenging to control clutter. This condition is often associated with anxiety and depression and can lead to social isolation, feelings of shame, and a lower quality of life.

Squalor, while not defined as a mental health condition, often occurs alongside severe hoarding and may indicate underlying mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, or trauma. People living in severe squalor may face challenges with self-care and may feel disconnected from social or community support.

Assessment Tools

A number of tools are available to assess the severity of hoarding and squalor. These tools can provide a better understanding of a persons needs and help guide their support options.

Tools include:

Clutter Image Scale: A visual tool to gauge the level of clutter in different areas of the home.
Environmental Cleanliness & Clutter Scale (ECCS): An assessment that measures cleanliness and clutter in living spaces.
Saving Inventory: A detailed questionnaire to identify hoarding behaviours and tendencies.

The Mental Health Academy also has information on different assessments that look at how hoarding and squalor affect a person’s daily life. You can find these on their website.

Next Steps

If you or someone you know is experiencing challenges with hoarding or squalor, support is available. Start by exploring the resources and programs listed on this page to learn more about effective strategies and tools. Consider reaching out to a trusted professional, such as a GP or mental health service, to begin a conversation about accessing tailored support.

Resources

Catholic Healthcare

Hoarding and Squalor Program, online support group, declutter group, and one on one support program.

Visit site(Opens in a new tab)

Inside Out Recovery

A specialist intervention service offering Training, Intervention and Support Groups. Visit site

Australian Centre for Hoarding, Squalor and Clutter

An Australian-first organisation established to promote education, advocacy and best-practice regarding Hoarding, Squalor and Clutter.

Email: admin@achsc.org