When most people picture hoarding, they imagine homes overwhelmed by towering piles of objects, hallways impassable from the clutter, and entire rooms turned into storage zones for seemingly useless items. While these portrayals make for captivating television and shocking documentaries, they only scratch the surface of what hoarding actually is — and why it happens.
The reality is far more nuanced. The behaviors associated with hoarding typically begin subtly and may even take root during childhood or early adolescence. And despite the public’s growing curiosity, psychological understanding of the phenomenon is still relatively young. In fact, it was only in 2013 that hoarding disorder officially earned its spot in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), the clinical guide used by mental health professionals across the United States.
This delay in recognition has had real consequences. When the condition remains misunderstood, it often goes unnoticed or untreated until it has dramatically reshaped a person’s daily life. However, recent research is helping shine a light on the early roots and underlying causes of hoarding—offering hope for timely intervention and a more compassionate approach to those affected.
The Quiet Beginnings of Hoarding
Contrary to popular belief, hoarding doesn’t usually appear suddenly in adulthood. In many cases, the behavior begins to take shape during the formative years of life. Retrospective studies have shown that for many individuals, the earliest signs of hoarding behavior tend to emerge between the ages of 11 and 15. That’s middle school territory—a time when most kids are learning to juggle academics, social pressures, and personal identity.
As part of one in-depth doctoral study, researchers interviewed adults who identified as having hoarding tendencies. Many of them recalled forming strong emotional bonds with their belongings as children, expressing difficulty letting go of even the most ordinary items. For them, each possession told a story, held a memory, or represented a specific emotion. The idea of discarding something wasn’t just inconvenient—it felt deeply distressing.
Some participants reported that their hoarding tendencies intensified when they entered university, or conversely, when they graduated. One individual even linked the onset of his struggles to the moment he lost access to student accounts and the sense of security that came with them. That transition into full adult responsibilities, he explained, seemed to amplify the emotional need to hold onto things.
Interestingly, many of these individuals also remembered moments during childhood when their parents discarded their possessions without consent or strongly encouraged them to get rid of what they considered “junk.” While likely well-intentioned, these actions often created lasting emotional wounds. In fact, some research suggests that while parents may try to manage their child’s growing collections, doing so without addressing the child’s emotional attachment can sometimes backfire—making the hoarding behaviors worse rather than better.
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Why Letting Go Feels Impossible
At the heart of hoarding is a distinctive emotional connection to objects—an attachment that’s stronger and broader than what most people experience. While non-hoarders may feel sentimental about a few keepsakes, those who hoard may develop emotional bonds with a much wider range of items, even those others would consider mundane or worthless. Whether it’s an old receipt, a broken kitchen gadget, or a stack of expired coupons, each item carries meaning: a potential use, a memory, a moment in time.
This deeply personal relationship with belongings is part of what makes hoarding so challenging to treat. It’s not about messiness or laziness. It’s about meaning. And to truly understand how to help someone struggling with this issue, experts say we need to pay closer attention to how these emotional ties form in childhood and evolve over time.
How Hoarding Really Starts
Hoarding isn’t one-size-fits-all. In some cases, the behavior emerges early without a clear trigger. In others, it’s sparked later in life by specific events or periods of stress. Research has pointed to a variety of contributing factors: difficulty processing information, early emotional neglect, trauma, and significant life changes.
One common thread among those who develop hoarding behaviors is the tendency to assign intense value to objects—not just monetary value, but symbolic worth. Some individuals view items as vessels for memory, fearing that letting go of the object means losing the experience or the emotion attached to it. Others keep things because they might be useful “someday,” even if that day never comes.
Major transitions—such as the loss of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or a big move—can also trigger or exacerbate hoarding tendencies. These life shifts can destabilize a person’s sense of control, making the act of saving possessions feel like a way to regain a sense of security.
When Clutter Becomes a Crisis
Although early hoarding behavior can be subtle, it often intensifies over time, especially when left unaddressed. Eventually, it may lead to living conditions that are not just inconvenient, but dangerous. Homes may become so filled with items that essential areas—like kitchens, bathrooms, or even beds—become unusable.
Yet even when the signs are clear, many people delay seeking help. Part of the issue lies in the way hoarding is portrayed in popular media: as something extreme, shameful, or freakish. This stigma can discourage individuals from recognizing their own behavior as a problem or reaching out for support. Another barrier is the assumption that only the most severe cases qualify for treatment.
But as psychologists point out, hoarding exists on a spectrum. Not everyone who saves things excessively has a full-blown disorder, and not all clutter is cause for alarm. The key lies in the impact: Are the behaviors disrupting daily life? Are they making it hard to function, maintain relationships, or stay safe?
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A New Model for Understanding Hoarding
To better grasp what drives these behaviors, one doctoral researcher developed a framework called the “struggling to manage” model. Unlike traditional approaches that emphasize a person’s thoughts and behaviors, this model takes a broader view—focusing on the life circumstances that make managing possessions difficult.
According to this framework, hoarding isn’t just about objects—it’s about overwhelm. It’s about navigating the chaos of life while trying to maintain a grip on one’s environment. The model includes scenarios such as moving to a new home, dealing with health challenges, or enduring a cascade of stressful events in a short period of time. In these moments, managing physical belongings can feel like an insurmountable task.
The idea is to shift from judgment to understanding. Rather than asking why someone keeps “so much stuff,” this approach asks what’s happening in their life that’s making it hard to let go.
The Importance of Early Support
While hoarding can escalate into a serious issue, early intervention can make a tremendous difference. If children who show signs of hoarding are supported early on—rather than shamed or forced to discard their things—they may learn healthier ways to manage their attachments. The same goes for adults. Addressing hoarding behaviors before they become all-consuming can prevent emotional distress, reduce health risks, and improve quality of life.
Support doesn’t always have to come in the form of therapy, though mental health professionals trained in cognitive behavioral techniques can be highly effective. Community-based resources, educational programs, and compassionate conversations within families can also help chip away at the stigma and offer pathways to change.
Organizations such as Clouds End, a social enterprise specializing in hoarding behavior, provide information, support groups, and practical strategies for those affected. These groups help individuals feel less alone—and more empowered to take control of their environments.
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Looking Beneath the Surface
In the end, hoarding isn’t just about clutter. It’s about what lies underneath: the emotions, experiences, and vulnerabilities that make letting go feel impossible. To truly help, we need to see past the overflowing closets and crowded hallways and recognize the human stories hidden among the objects.
If hoarding is a language, then each object is a word—and each pile tells a story that deserves to be heard, not dismissed. Through continued research, open dialogue, and a deeper understanding of the complexities behind these behaviors, we can move toward a world that supports rather than stigmatizes those who struggle with holding on.
