Ok all you psychologists and psychiatrists out there, answer this: I know someone who is a pack rat. She saves EVERYTHING!, and I do mean that. She keeps old receipts and bills, old magazines, old clothes and jewelry, you name it. I used to think it was funny, but now it kind of annoys me. There's obviously some personal issue here, maybe like a void she's trying to fill. Or some kind of security thing. What do you think? Thanks.
2006-12-02 07:29:43 · 6 answers · asked by funkbomber 2 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
The technical term for this is called compulsive hoarding (or pathological hoarding). There have been studies done that link hoarding to OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) or OCPD (Obsessive compulsive personality disorder). It may also be linked to ICD (impulse control disorder). http://www.sfaa.org/magazine/archives/02/1202/1202.kelly.html
This is an excellent article that explains, in detail, the types of people who hoard and why they hoard. Check it out!
And yes, I do have a BA in Psychology.
2006-12-02 07:48:37 · answer #1 · answered by miyazaki75 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a condition in which people become obsessed and start saving everything down to the trash. But, things that you have mentioned here, like reciepts, bills, magazines, clothes, jwellery... it does not merrit this female to be diseased... it can only be just a habbit rather than obsession. Or you may be right about the feeling of insecurity! talk to her in peace and with a supportive attitude, it always help both ways.
2006-12-02 15:38:45 · answer #2 · answered by doctsaab 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I too am a 'pack rat' who saves everything. Mostly because I am uneducated on the values or history of things.(antiques etc.) Somethings I just think are to cool to get rid of, or I could find a use for them later.(sometimes much later). Sometimes I find something and bring it home and the next day or sometimes much later, someone will come along and say"ive been looking for one of these for ever!"Sometimes I can recreate very interesting items or make something completely different from some other item. Its a creativity thing.
2006-12-02 15:42:47 · answer #3 · answered by firedup 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Her parents were probably the same way. She doesn't want to throw something away and then need it later. My boyfriend was the same. Now i tolarte it but anyhting over a year old i make him throw out or i throw it out. Receipts that have a warrenty of course keep those, otherwise is not nesseccary to keep. Help her organize, and make her throw stuiff out.
2006-12-02 15:38:49 · answer #4 · answered by Tasha 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You won't change her. I fight my packrat tendencies every day by reminding myself that I can't find the things I have saved because they pile up, and also that when I need something, i will be able to get it somewhere even if I didn't save one. But my mother, Aunts and cousins all do it and there's no way they will change. It would have to be their idea, not yours. Sorry.
2006-12-02 15:38:09 · answer #5 · answered by Kacky 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If there were no such people as your acquaintance, the museums would be empty.
As long as you don’t suffer from her putting away everything, leave her alone!
Even if it is a somewhat disturbing trait, she isn’t harming anybody.
Let her keep up her personal weirdness!
2006-12-02 15:33:23 · answer #6 · answered by saehli 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋