Hoarding and Loneliness #LonelinessAwarenessWeek

Hoarding Disorder is a complex mental health condition, with one of the most challenging aspects of living with the behaviour being loneliness. As clutter builds, relationships can strain, shame can grow and the fear of judgement can cause individuals to hide from the world around them.

Isolation isn’t inevitable though, with greater understanding and compassionate approaches we can help prevent loneliness and ensure that those struggling with the condition feel seen, supported and connected.

 

Distance from Friends and Family

As clutter increases, relationships with loved ones and friends can become strained, especially when they don’t fully understand that hoarding is a mental health condition. Over time, this can leave individuals feeling rejected, isolated, or alone in their struggle.

How to reduce this: Open, non-judgmental conversations and efforts to learn about hoarding disorder can help preserve connection, with loved ones showing empathy and staying present without pressuring change can make a significant difference.

 Incorrect Support from Professionals

If professionals involved in an individuals care misunderstand the behaviour or approach it with blame rather than compassion, it can lead to the individual refusing to engage and losing their only support system. This can then also have a detrimental impact on them ever being able to trust a service provider again, further enhancing feeling alone and isolated due to having nobody to turn to for support.

How to reduce this: Practitioners involved an individuals care should ensure they understand the complexities of the condition and how to provide compassionate person-centred support. This will reduce the risk of further trauma for the individual by leading with empathy and acknowledging their experience without judgement, allowing for a trusting helping relationship and increased client engagement.

Our hoarding training courses

Living with Shame or Guilt

The general lack of understanding around hoarding being a mental health condition can cause the individual to feel isolated and wanting to shut themselves away. The feelings can then turn into shame, failure or resentment about their behaviour and make them feel undeserving of connection, even when they deeply need and want it.

How to reduce this: Spreading awareness and normalising conversation around hoarding to help reduce the stigma, this will help individuals with the condition to feel seen and less intimidated by the thought of speaking up and seeking support.

 Fear of Being Judged

When living spaces feel overwhelming, it can feel harder to invite others in, leading to spending more time alone. This isolation alone can cause intense negative emotion, which is often added to further by the individual  longing for connection and support but being unable to welcome it in due to the fear of being misunderstood or shamed.

How to reduce this: Creating safe, supportive environments, both personally and professionally, where individuals feel accepted and not judged. Reassurance, understanding and kindness are key to breaking this fear cycle and helping individuals feel more comfortable to seek support.

With greater understanding and compassionate support, no one has to face hoarding disorder alone.