June 1, 2020 By Chris Foy Am I A Hoarder? Signs and Rationale of Hoarding Behavior Quiz This quiz has a series of questions regarding your feelings about possessions. Once you answer a question additional insight will be given on why it is a troubling sign. This is not a diagnostic tool, but instead intended to encourage deeper thinking on these symptoms. Has anyone ever told you that you appear to be showing signs of hoarding? True False None Has anyone ever told you that you appear to be showing signs of hoarding?Often those outside your situation can see things more objectively. Do you have trouble letting possessions go, even when you recognize the rational need to? True False None Do you have trouble letting possessions go, even when you recognize the rational need to?Hoarders have an irrational attachment to possessions. Do you feel the need to save items that you know you will likely never use? True False None Do you feel the need to save items that you know you will likely never use?Hoarders don't view viable use as a criteria for keeping an item. Do you find it emotionally distressing to get rid of your possessions? True False None Do you find it emotionally distressing to get rid of your possessions?Emotional attachments to your things can be a sign of hoarding. How hard is it to throw things away? True False None How hard is it to throw things away?Hoarders find it very difficult to throw away anything, no matter the condition, age or necessity of the item. Do you buy or acquire items you already possess? True False None Do you buy or acquire items you already possess?Often, hoarders have multiple similar or identical items. They sometimes have unopened boxes of things they've acquired stacked in their home. Is your home or parts of it very cluttered with your possessions? True False None Is your home or parts of it very cluttered with your possessions?Extreme clutter is a sign of hoarding. Are there parts of your home you are unable to use due to clutter? True False None Are there parts of your home you are unable to use due to clutter?When your hoarding behaviors restrict use of your home, the disorder has moved to a dangerous stage. Is it difficult to navigate through your home because of extreme clutter? True False None Is it difficult to navigate through your home because of extreme clutter?Many hoarders live with fire hazards, tripping dangers, and the risk of collapsible piles of items. How much control do you have over your urge to accumulate more items? True False None How much control do you have over your urge to accumulate more items?People with a hoarding disorder may try to stop the behavior on their own but find themselves unable to overcome the urge to acquire more stuff. Assume you are prevented from acquiring a new possession you want. How upset or uncomfortable does that restriction make you feel? True False None Assume you are prevented from acquiring a new possession you want. How upset or uncomfortable does that restriction make you feel?For hoarders, the buying impulse is often as powerful as the desire to keep possessions. How strong is your urge to acquire possessions that you don't have an urgent or imminent need for? True False None How strong is your urge to acquire possessions that you don't have an urgent or imminent need for? Necessity usually plays no role in the items hoarders accumulate. How often do you feel the compulsion to acquire something you see? True False None How often do you feel the compulsion to acquire something you see?Hoarders buy new and used items. They also seek and accept free things they don't need, even scrounging through the trash of others for "treasures" that only they value. Do you avoid inviting people into your home due to the clutter in your living space? True False None Do you avoid inviting people into your home due to the clutter in your living space?Extreme hoarding affects social relationships because the hoarder stops bringing people into their home. Does the clutter in your home prevent or interfere with any of your day-to-day personal or professional activities? True False None Does the clutter in your home prevent or interfere with any of your day-to-day personal or professional activities?Extreme clutter, trash and unsanitary conditions damage the home and eventually makes the hoarder's living space unusable. None Does the clutter in your home upset or disturb you? True Correct None Does the clutter in your home upset or disturb you?Hoarders prioritize their possessions over their dire living conditions. Does your urge to continue acquiring possessions bother or distress you? True False None Does your urge to continue acquiring possessions bother or distress you?Many hoarders don't realize they have a problem and may deny it when a loved one confronts them. Are you experiencing financial difficulties due to your compulsion to acquire possessions? True False None Are you experiencing financial difficulties due to your compulsion to acquire possessions?Compulsive shopping to acquire possessions that aren't needed can lead to financial problems. Do you find it difficult or even impossible to decide what to keep and what to toss? True False None Do you find it difficult or even impossible to decide what to keep and what to toss?Indecision is a common trait of hoarders. Do you have far more animals/pets than you have room for or can competently care for? True False None Do you have far more animals/pets than you have room for or can competently care for?A quarter of a million animals are affected every year by animal hoarding behavior. Time's up
