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Clutter vs. hoarding


22 years ago 0 25 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
...backed-up laundry, dishes in the sink, books and papers here, there, and everywhere, old e-mail backed-up even...I can hide some of it, but even if it`s hidden away, I know it`s there waiting to get done. *whimper* I chip away at it, but it`s like I`m in slow-motion, and I panic because I feel I can never keep up like a responsible person of my age. I`m just beginning to get into my C-B therapy. Any suggestions on how to deal with this fear of tackling the mess for now?
22 years ago 0 25 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I came across an audiobook talking about "cluttering" (and not being able to deal with the clutter you create)as a psychological response similar to hoarding. Is cluttering an offshoot of hoarding or a separate manifestation of OCD altogether? My compulsion for perfectionism hasn`t caused me to behave in an ultra-organized way...quite the opposite. Sometimes everyday tasks of cleaning and straightening seem so overwhelming that I freeze. It becomes all or nothing; I`ve had this tendency since I was a child, and I am embarrassed for people to see me this way. I`m afraid to invite people over many times because I feel I can never keep up with it and have the house/my room presentable for guests. I tend to be neater and more organized when I`m not under as much stress; the clutter/mess is the worst when my state of mind is at it`s worst. (If the personalities of Oscar and Felix from the "The Odd Couple" were put in a blender, they would have something close to me, I think.) Is this in a category all to itself, or a combination of symptoms for OCD? I would appreciate any input on this...

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