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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][b]I don't think this lack of being able to make decisions explains hoarding in many cases.[/b]

For the people I know, it's an unhealthy association between material things and memories. Oh, that's the dress I wore when I met DH (20+ years ago); that's the blanket that Larlo got in the hospital; that's the hotel brochure and restaurant menu from our honeymoon, that's the note pad I had with me on my first day of my first job (30 years ago), etc. etc.

I have a hard time disposing of things like this because it seems like I'd be throwing out the memories as well.[/quote]

It does for at least most. It's all a part of the same cycle. The article below summarizing some of the research, including functional MRIs assessing decision-making. The brain throws up various different rationalizations and explanations around that, but the problem is the same.

[quote]Researchers found abnormal activity in the anterior cingulate cortex and the insula of the brain, known for decision-making and risk assessment. The people who hoard are unable to make decisions about discarding the items they own.
...
It is unclear whether hoarding is due to heredity or environment. But half of the people who hoard have a family member who hoards. And there is evidence that links compulsive hoarding to a region on chromosome 14—which has also been linked to disorders such as Alzheimer's and other cognitive impairments.
...
Research shows that the decision-making process of a person who hoards is seriously compromised. Neuroimaging studies have revealed common traits among people who hoard; this includes having severe emotional attachments to inanimate objects and extreme anxiety when making decisions, even simple ones.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/hoarding[/quote]

[/quote]

Well... maybe. But I make the decision to keep a few of these things that irrationally mean something to me because they have strong memories associated with the items. There is no waffling or paralyzation about what to do with this stuff. I decide to keep it, I find a place to store it and I review the items from time to time. Most I eventually toss as new items become more important.

I don't think that's what other people here are grappling with.[/quote]

It can be both. I’m a child of a hoarder working hard not to be, and I have to discard my baby stuff in stages. The emotional attachment and the decision making overwhelm me so I basically put stuff in a box out of the way for months or years and then when I need more room in the box, I go through it and I do better with the old stuff because the emotions aren’t as strong. [/quote]

I’m a child of a hoarder who completely relates to this. I get rid of things in stages too.

I’ve also seen in my family that serious hoarding does seem to be a precursor to dementia and so I force myself to throw things out the way I force myself to lift weights. I don’t like it but I consider it an exercise I have to do for long-term health. Our house isn’t hoarded but I’ve had to constantly work to make sure it’s not. [/quote]

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