To what extent is hoarding affecting your life?

Hoarding syndrome is identified through the observation of 3 characteristics:

• difficulty discarding,
• excessive clutter,
• excessive acquisition.

“… it is clear that what a man calls me and what he simply calls mine the line is difficult to draw. We feel and act about certain things that are ours very much as we feel and act about ourselves.”

William James (1890) in the principles of psychology, p. 291.

Read more about Hoarding Disorder here.

Here is a test to evaluate the extent of the behavior in an individual. The purpose of all tests on this site is for education. Do not use this as a diagnosis of any sort.

If you or any person feels like the hoarding limits your daily function or affects your relationships, do seek the services of a licensed psychotherapist.

1.My home is so cluttered, that it restricts moving around through home.

1-very true

3

5-not at all

2.The clutter prevents appropriate use of home. The home is more like a storage space.

1-very true

3

5-not at all

3.Clutter prevents me from inviting people over.

1-very true

3

5-not at all

4.The clutter interferes with my daily functioning.

1-very true

3

5-not at all

5.What’s the extent of clutter?

Very cluttered, there is no space to sit or stand comfortably in the home. Or even the bath is not useable.

Cluttered.

Messy, but one can function in this space.

6.I am having difficulty controlling over the clutter.

1-very true

3

5-not at all

7.I am distressed by the clutter.

1-very true

3

5-not at all

8.I have difficulty throwing things away.

1-very true

3

5-not at all

9.I avoid discarding because of distress.

1-very true

3

5-not at all

10.How distressing is discarding?

1-very true

3

5-not at all

11.How strong is your urge to save?

1-Very strong.

3

5-not at all

12.I frequency of save things that are not needed.

1-very true

3

5-not at all

13.I am not able to discard things.

not able to discard anything, even if they are disposable, rotting, spoiled.

Able to discard disposable items like packaging or trash. Not able to discard other things.

Able to dispose of useless things.

14.I have an uncontrollable urge to save.

1-very true

3

5-not at all

15.I feel compelled to acquire.

1-very true

3

5-not at all

16.I have lack of control over urges to acquire .

1-very true

3

5-not at all

17.I am distressed if can’t acquire .

1-very true

3

5-not at all

18.I frequently of buy unneeded items.

1-very true

3

5-not at all

19.I suffer financial difficulties from saving/buying.

1-very true

3

5-not at all

20.I am distressed over my acquiring habits.

1-very true

3

5-not at all