8 signs that clutter in your home is more than being messy

Clutter is one thing, part of everyday living.

But how can you tell if you've crossed the line into hoarding, a condition that is now a recognized mental health disorder, affecting up to 6 percent of the U.S. population, or 19 million people. 

Read more: Secret Detroit hoarder found dead, eaten by her dog

According to the International OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) Foundation, here are seven questions to consider.

Do you:

1. Have difficulty getting rid of items?
2. Have a large amount of clutter in the office, at home, in the car, or in other spaces that makes it difficult to use furniture or appliances or move around easily?
3. Often lose important items like money or bills in the clutter?
4. Feel overwhelmed by the volume of possessions that have “taken over” the house or workspace?
5. Find it difficult to stop taking free items, such as advertising flyers or sugar packets from restaurants?
6. Buy things because they are a “bargain” or to “stock up”?
7. Avoid inviting family or friends into the home due to shame or embarrassment?
8. Refuse to let people into the home to make repairs?

If you answered yes to one or more of the above questions, you may have hoarding disorder.  

For help, consider checking out the following:

• https://hoarding.iocdf.org/professionals/treatment-of-hoarding-disorder/
• https://med.stanford.edu/rodriguezlab/hoarding-resources/family-members.html
• https://www.dorothytheorganizer.com/hoarding-resources/