‘My hoarding makes me uncomfortable, but it’s my life’
Dan MacNee stands among towering piles of boxes, papers, and creative projects that engulf his Edinburgh home.
Walls and doors are covered with paintings, drawings, and maps.
“It’s grim,” he says. “Things everywhere. It’s overwhelming, and I’ve got other spaces just like this. The garage, the workshops, they’re all full.”
For Dan, this accumulation isn’t just about objects – it represents his life journey.
“I’ve got a huge amount of stuff, and I’m always trying to order and organise it,” he says. “The better I get it neat and tidy, the better I cope – not just with my disability, but also the mental illness and the abuse that underlies it.”
Dan is a hoarder.
He attributes his condition to having moved over 50 times across three continents in 30 years. He says his sense of security has been repeatedly uprooted.
“When your sense of security keeps getting pulled out from under you, you hang on to things,” he adds. “It’s a vain attempt to establish some sense of security.”
Despite acknowledging that his hoarding makes him “horribly uncomfortable”, Dan finds it difficult to let go.
“It’s my life, it’s who I am. Even if it makes me uneasy, I can’t just let it go.”
Dan is among an estimated 1 in 40 adults under 55 who experience hoarding. For those over 55, it is roughly 6% of the population, although that may be a conservative estimate according to academics.
Hoarding is a condition that can be triggered by loss, trauma, or mental health issues. Hoarding disorder was officially recognised as a mental health condition in 2013, yet understanding and awareness are limited.
At a recent conference in Edinburgh, experts and professionals gathered to discuss strategies for supporting people like Dan. Organised by the Hoarding Academy charity, the event called for a unified, nationwide approach to address hoarding in Scotland.
Linda Fay, expert and founder of the Academy, emphasises the urgency of collaboration.
“We’ve got people creating policies up and down the country, and it’s a waste of resources,” she says. “We need one set of multi-agency guidelines that we can all adhere to.”
Comfort and security
Hoarding goes beyond mere clutter. It becomes a disorder when the accumulation of items disrupts daily living and when rooms can no longer serve their intended purpose.
“Belongings are there for a reason,” Ms Fay says. “They give feelings of comfort, safety, security – whatever it may be. The clutter is just a symptom of what’s going on with the individual.”
She would never advocate clearing someone’s home without their agreement.
“I help people gradually reduce their belongings at their own pace, focusing on practical and therapeutic techniques to manage their space,” she said.
Dr Christiana Bratiotis, an associate professor at the University of British Columbia, has dedicated years to studying hoarding.
At the Edinburgh conference, she said: “Hoarding is an anxiety-based disorder. It’s not a problem of laziness or lack of standards but a mental health condition.”
Research into hoarding is relatively recent. “The research into hoarding is only about 40 years old,” Dr Bratiotis points out. “Compared to other psychiatric illnesses like depression, which we’ve been studying for centuries, we have a long way to go.”
Understanding hoarding requires delving into its psychological underpinnings. “We believe hoarding is a complex interplay of various factors,” says Dr Bratiotis.
“Genetic vulnerabilities, strong emotions about objects, thoughts about the value of keeping things, and life events all contribute.”
Statistics indicate that about 50% of people with hoarding disorder have experienced traumatic childhood events, and many also suffer from other mental health issues.
“Some studies suggest that 92% of those diagnosed with hoarding disorder have one or more other diagnosable mental health problems,” she adds.
For those affected, the path to managing hoarding behaviour is difficult. Simply clearing out a person’s home isn’t a viable solution and can often worsen the situation.
“If you think about it, we all have prized possessions,” says Dr Bratiotis.
Both Ms Fay and Dr Bratiotis call for increased awareness and better resources. Tools like the Home Environment Assessment Tool for Hoarding (HEATH) have been developed to help providers like fire and housing services identify health and safety risks in the home.
“Accessibility to help is crucial,” says Ms Fay. “Most people don’t know that there are organisations that can work with people at home, providing practical and therapeutic support.”
She also underscores the need for a national strategy. “We need some national guidelines,” she adds. “We’ve set up a national hoarding task force.”
For Dan, the journey isn’t straightforward, but he hopes that sharing his story might encourage others to seek support. “Everyone’s situation is different,” he says.
“But if you can get support, take it, wherever it comes from. The problem is people think you can just clear it all out and that will solve everything. It doesn’t work like that. Taking the stuff away doesn’t take the emotional abuse away.”
Time.news Interview: Understanding Hoarding with Expert Linda Fay
Time.news Editor: Thank you for joining us today, Linda. Your work with the Hoarding Academy has brought much-needed attention to an often-misunderstood issue. Let’s start with a story we recently covered about Dan MacNee, who lives in Edinburgh and has described his hoarding as a mix of discomfort and self-identity. What were your impressions after hearing about Dan’s experience?
Linda Fay: Thank you for having me! Dan’s story is a powerful example of how hoarding is deeply intertwined with personal history and identity. It’s not just about the physical clutter; it’s about emotional comfort and a sense of security that these items provide. For many, like Dan, their possessions symbolize past experiences and attempts to maintain stability when their lives have been unpredictable.
Time.news Editor: That’s a profound insight. You mentioned that hoarding can be a response to trauma and instability. How often do you see these patterns in your work with individuals struggling with hoarding disorder?
Linda Fay: Quite frequently. Many of my clients have faced significant life challenges, whether that’s trauma from childhood, loss, or mental health struggles. Statistics show that around 50% of individuals with hoarding disorder have experienced traumatic events, and almost 92% also suffer from other diagnosable mental health issues. This clearly illustrates that hoarding is often not a standalone problem but rather a symptom of deeper psychological struggles.
Time.news Editor: So, if hoarding is linked to anxiety and past trauma, how do we begin to address it in a compassionate way?
Linda Fay: The first step is understanding that hoarding is an anxiety-based disorder and not simply a failure to maintain one’s home. We must approach individuals with empathy and respect for their attachment to their belongings. I advocate for gradual decluttering at a pace comfortable for them, using practical and therapeutic techniques. It’s crucial to involve the person in this process, as it’s their journey to reclaim their space and their life.
Time.news Editor: At a recent conference in Edinburgh, you emphasized the need for a unified approach to addressing hoarding in Scotland. Can you elaborate on that?
Linda Fay: Absolutely. Currently, various agencies have different policies and protocols to address hoarding. This fragmentation leads to wasted resources and ineffective support. We are advocating for a single set of multi-agency guidelines, which would not only streamline efforts but ensure that everyone involved—from health professionals to social services—is on the same page in supporting those who struggle with hoarding. Collaboration is key to meaningful change.
Time.news Editor: It sounds like there’s a crucial need for both education and policy change. What is the general public’s understanding of hoarding, and what misconceptions do you encounter?
Linda Fay: One common misconception is that hoarders are merely lazy or disorganized. This perception can be harmful and stigmatizing. Hoarding is a legitimate mental health condition that requires understanding and support, not judgment. We need to cultivate awareness that clutter is merely a manifestation of underlying issues—be it anxiety, grief, or unresolved trauma.
Time.news Editor: With all this knowledge and ongoing research, how do you envision the future of hoarding disorder treatment and understanding?
Linda Fay: I believe we are at the beginning of a vital shift. As more researchers like Dr. Christiana Bratiotis delve into the complexities of hoarding, we will gain clearer insights and better treatment protocols. Ultimately, it’s about destigmatizing the issue and providing the necessary resources and support to those affected. As we enhance public awareness and develop comprehensive strategies, we can truly help individuals like Dan lead happier and healthier lives.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Linda, for sharing your expertise on this important topic. It’s clear that a deeper understanding of hoarding can significantly improve lives, and we appreciate your efforts in advocating for those who struggle with this condition.
Linda Fay: Thank you for highlighting this issue. It’s been a pleasure to discuss our work and hopefully inspire a more compassionate approach to understanding hoarding disorder.