Many people do not understand that hoarding is a mental illness and they just believe that hoarders are selfish.
What is the definition of selfish? Well after reading a few dictionaries, it comes down to being concerned with your own welfare and disregarding other peoples.
In this article, we take a look at some of the reasons why people believe hoarders to be selfish.
Being Selfish At The Shops
Some hoarders will buy far more than they need of one particular item and then stockpile it in their house.
People can see this as being selfish as it means that other customers of the shops lose out and can’t buy essential items such as toilet paper.
There is a trend called “Extreme Couponing” which seems to be encouraging people to buy items in bulk and then use many coupons to get them at a lower cost.
This, however, means more people hoard items and buy more items than they need or could use.
Being Selfish At Work
The mental anguish hoarders suffer from also translates into the workplace – even if it’s not obvious how they’re hoarding at home.
Hoarders often take credit for other people’s work and are less inclined to share information that could help others.
They may also refuse to lend out items, or help with projects, because they are afraid of not getting the item back, or that it may not be returned in the same condition.
All these behaviors contribute to an air of selfishness in the workplace.
Hoarders may also take advantage of company resources, like office supplies, because they are afraid of running out at home.
They may also hoard food from the office kitchen, or take company property without asking.
Then there is their own personal workspace.
It’s almost impossible for hoarders not to clutter up their personal working environment, and this can easily spill over to adjoining desks and spaces!
Being Selfish In The Community
The effects of hoarding in an apartment block could be seen as being selfish by neighbors and other people that live in the same block.
Sometimes hoarding trash can lead to bad smells and even damage to the property.
This could devalue the hoarder’s property and even lower the value of the neighbor’s property.
It can also be a fire hazard to have too much stuff in one place, and if the hoarder is not careful, this could put other people’s lives at risk.
Hoarders may also refuse to help with community projects, or they may only do the bare minimum because they don’t want to get involved.
They may also be unwilling to share information or resources with others in the community, which can make them seem selfish.
Being Selfish To Others That Live In The Same House
When a hoarder lives with other people, the hoard can put the other people under a load of stress as well.
People could see this as being selfish because the hoarder is not considering other people’s emotions and feelings.
They may also not be able to use certain areas of the house, like the kitchen or the bathroom, because they are full of hoard.
This could lead to arguments and even people moving out.
Hoarding can also be dangerous for other people that live in the same house as the hoarder.
If there is a fire, or some other emergency, it could be hard for the other people to get out of the house because of all the stuff.
Hoarding can also be a financial burden on other people that live in the same house.
If the hoarder is not able to pay their share of the bills, then the other people may have to pay for it.
This could cause a lot of stress and arguments.
Clearing The Hoard
When a hoarder dies, they will leave a big mess for someone to sort out which some people could see as being a burden or a chore.
This may make the person who has to deal with it resentful and feel like the hoarder is being selfish.
If a hoarder decides – or is convinced – to clear their hoard, it can be a very difficult and emotional process.
They may have to get rid of things that they have been holding on to for many years – and it’s almost certainly going to be a mental and emotional struggle.
Some people may see this as being selfish as the hoarder is only thinking about themselves and not about others that their actions are affecting.
You have to keep in mind, however, that hoarding is a mental illness.
It’s not the hoarders ‘fault’ or deliberate action of theirs to hold onto items to the detriment of others.
They endanger the lives of others
If anyone comes to the hoarders property, it can be dangerous.
Whether that is a friend, a family member, a neighbor or even just someone coming to read the meter.
Some people could say that the hoarder is being selfish because they are puting the lives of others in danger.
Scenerios that could occur
- Boxes that are stacked up could topple over and fall on someone.
- A house hoarded with paper could go up in flames if a fire breaks out.
Hoarders generally aren’t selfish, they just have a mental illness and although other people may see them as being selfish, they aren’t.