What's the psychological cause for sloppiness? People who are disorganized and who can't stop clutter?

Question

This includes pack rats who can't throw away string etc.?

Is it just bad habits or is this a psychological condition? If it is psychological, can it be treated?

Answer 1

There are DEGREES in everything!! Before you reach the conclusion of a mental condition (OCD, etc), one must consider the dominate lobe--Right-brained or Left-lobe!! Left-Lobers tend to be more creative, less rigid, and able to tolerate clutter! When they decide that they want to gain some order, they do it--but it won't be in the compulsive time-frame as the Right-Brain dominant person!! Right-Brained people tend to set the standards for everyone! "Right is Right" and they determine the time-frame for everyone else! I admit that compulsive savers of everything can be a bit tiresome! I was married to one for 8 yrs, and yet, strangely, he was critical of EVERYONE around him who wasn't "PERFECT"--in his definition!!----I DO know that growing up in The Great Depression, we NEVER threw ANYTHING away!! There was always a use for it somewhere!! Old newspapers were used to line the chicken coops! Old clothes were remodeled for the younger kids; Etc. As the economic situation became easier, we were expected to throw away and buy NEW things--thereby, supporting the new production spurt and economic growth. I d/k the answer to this--but I think people are people according to their nature!

Answer 2

I have this. It's a form of OCD. But the meds don't work well for me or many of the other people who have this and the obsessive hording. From the time I was little, I was always messy. My mother, who was extremely orderly, tried to teach me how to organize my room. For me, I have trouble with being able to focus on one spot in a room. I get overwhelmed, shut down and consequently, the mess builds. If someone is working with me, it's easier and less overwhelming. To date, I have an ILS worker (independent living skills) who helps me twice a week. (Note: I also have a TBI, traumatic brain injury, and have a home aid who works with me, too.) Now, there are some things I do organize, like papers, books, etc. On the whole, I joke about being messy and if I ever get a digital camera, I'll post a picture of one of the rooms in my flat, just because many people don't understand that being messy for me and being messy for someone else is very different. (Note: I do throw out trash, sweep my kitchen floor regularly, shower, clean the litter box and don't have stacks of newspapers.)

Answer 3

Pretty much everything can be explained psychologically.

Some people are just sloppy, and that's OK. To the extreme, however, is not OK. Hoarders usually have a fear of loss or abandonment or poverty. They think (at least subconsciously) that they need to keep EVERYTHING in case they might need it some day. The cure is to help them feel assured that everything's going to be OK, and that if an unlikely catastrophe does happen, they'll most likely survive (and if they don't, their stuff isn't going to help them) and rebuild.

Answer 4

Compulsive hoarding aka syllogomania.

They just did a piece like this on the news a few weeks ago. it's crazy this lady couldn't even walk through her house!