Why People Become Hoarders
We’re all familiar with hoarding and what it looks like but, do you know why people become hoarders? Various things can cause it but here are some of the most common: Trauma, anxiety, you grew up seeing it, social isolation, and OCD. 
Trauma
The loss of a loved one or losing something of value can play a big part in why people become hoarders. Depending on how they choose to cope, some may decide that letting go of items that once belonged to a loved one is too difficult so they choose to hold onto them. Or others may start collecting things as a means of feeling like they won’t be abandoned. With every item they collect, it helps ease their pain.
Anxiety
For most people, getting rid of things doesn’t take much thought or emotions. But, there are some who can’t get passed the overwhelming emotions that come with trying to decide or throw some things out. Because they can’t decide if they’ll ever need these things again or not, anxiety takes over and eventually convinces them to hold onto everything.
Growing up with a Hoarder
If you were raised in a household or environment that normalized hoarding or treated it as a regular thing, you are more likely to become one yourself. If your home was also unhealthy or toxic, the stress induced by that may also leadLead is a heavy metal that can be toxic to humans, especiall... More you to becoming a hoarder as a means of coping with it.
Social Isolation
Hoarders tend to lack social skills, and as a means of making up for that, they find comfort in collecting things.
OCD
People who suffer from OCD are also more prone to hoarding due to the fear that something bad will happen if they get rid of certain items. There are even times where people with OCD believe they are holding onto a contaminated object and continue to hold onto it as a means of protecting others from it.
These are some of the most common reasons people become hoarders, if you or someone you know suffer from hoarding and estate cleaning services, do not hesitate to reach out to the professionals. Sometimes the hoarding can be so extensive and dangerous that it’s necessary to reach out to a professional hoarding and estate cleaning provider to make sure the situation gets handled in the safest and most effective manner.
About Vince Sandri
Vince Sandri is a disaster restorationRestoration is the process of returning a property to its pr... More content specialist with more than 12 years of experience researching, writing, and educating property owners about water damage, fire and smoke damage, mold remediationMold remediation is the process of identifying, removing, an... More, storm damage, and other disaster recovery topics. Since 2014, he has served as the leadLead is a heavy metal that can be toxic to humans, especiall... More contributor to RestorationMasterFinder.com, where he has developed hundreds of in-depth service pages, educational guides, and industry-focused articles for restorationRestoration is the process of returning a property to its pr... More professionals across the United States.
Through extensive research and ongoing collaboration with restorationRestoration is the process of returning a property to its pr... More contractors, Vince has built a strong foundation in the science, processes, and best practices behind property damage mitigation and recovery. His work helps homeowners, business owners, and property managers understand how disasters impact structures, what immediate steps to take, how professional restorationRestoration is the process of returning a property to its pr... More works, and how to prevent long-term structural and health risks.
Vince specializes in translating complex restorationRestoration is the process of returning a property to its pr... More procedures — including water extraction, structural dryingDrying is the process of removing moisture from materials, s... More, smoke odorAn odor is a smell, often detectable by the human nose, whic... More removal, moldMold is a type of fungus that grows in damp or humid conditi... More containment, and storm damage repairRepair is the act of fixing or restoring damaged property, m... More — into clear, actionable information that empowers readers to make informed decisions during high-stress situations. His content aligns with industry standards and focuses on safety, accuracy, and practical response strategies.
He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Aurora University and his master’s degree from DePaul University. Since 2012, Vince has focused on SEO-driven website content, technical service pages, and educational resourcesResources include tools, personnel, equipment, and materials... More within the disaster restorationRestoration is the process of returning a property to its pr... More industry.
Outside of his professional work, Vince is also a musician and performs in the Chicago, IL area.
