Monday, March 8, 2010

Disposophobia - the Messie Mindset and – or Pathological Hoarding

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Today’s Blog Post

Disposophobia - the Messie Mindset and – or Pathological Hoarding

What a revelation! What a HORRIBLE discovery to make! I am sick!

I potentially have Disposophobia! At least that is the case in one area of my life. And it has been brought on by the initial disease of collectophobia – which started early in my lifetime

Wikipedia states…
"Compulsive hoarding (or pathological hoarding or disposophobia or the Messie mindset) is a mental disorder marked by an obsessive need to acquire (and failure to use or discard) a significant amount of possessions, even if the items are worthless, hazardous, or unsanitary. Compulsive hoarding causes significant clutter and impairment to basic living activities, including mobility, cooking, cleaning, showering, and sleeping. A person who engages in compulsive hoarding is commonly said to be a "pack rat", in reference to that animal's apparent fondness for material objects."

Yikes I have never considered myself to be anywhere near “pathological” in any area – except maybe eating. That seems so unfair to have a label.

I remember when I was young and my mom’s reaction when I discovered another old Tire and rolled it home. The new discovery was better than the last one that I had. It had better weight and better rolling ability.

Old Tire? Why did you want an Old Tire? Well with little to play with on that vast prairie at the edge of the city of Regina, you rolled Old Tires like you would later drive Old Cars. It was the coolest thing to do. My brother and I both had an Old Tire. Everyone of my friends had an Old Tire to Roll.

The fact that I kept the first Old Tire was the problem. The New Old Tire didn’t replace it. It was parked near the other Old Tires. Kind of like having a Parking Lot full of vehicles. Later on when I collected more than one car – it made sense… even though you could only drive one at a time.

Disposophobia – yikes! Never thought that it was a problem.

Yet my case is not as bad as the person on TV. This woman was a “crazy” about things. She had stuff piled up everywhere… in every room. And I am not near as bad as the other guy that died in his house just after calling 911. They couldn’t find his body for 20 minutes in among all the junk that he had in his house.

I think it was that story that affected me the deepest – PLUS the fact that my wife looked in the Garage the other day and said – “Yoo Hoo Where are you? I can’t see you! Are you okay?”

I was in the corner working on a machine that is behind a few things.

The house is clean the Garage is not so clean. It has a lot of things stored in there – with me.

Oh boy Disposophobia!

The fact that they don’t really understand what I may have is also something of note. One other things I read said…
“Hoarding unnecessary possessions may be referred to as syllogomania.” Which means hoarding squalor!

Of the “syllogamania” it states…
1. First degree squalor
You are getting behind in tasks that you would normally manage, like laundry and dishes. You are not the tidy person you once were. Little piles are starting to emerge and your disorganization is starting to affect your life and inconvenience you. Things are just starting to get out of hand and become unmanageable. A sign of first degree squalor might be that you are embarrassed for other people to see your mess…but you would still let them in the house.
2. Second degree squalor
Now things are really starting to get out of hand. Signs that you have reached second degree would include losing the use of normal household items like your bed, table, television or telephone, because the piles have expanded to cover the items up. You start to develop new methods of moving around your house, as normal movement is impeded by your piles of stuff. You might start making excuses to discourage people from entering your house.
3. Third degree squalor
At this stage, you have all the above, plus you have rotting food and animal faeces and/or urine in the house, and this is the rule not the exception. You cannot cope with the growing mess. Essential household repairs may not be done, because you are too afraid to let a tradesperson see your house. Just the thought of someone seeing your mess causes you great stress.
4. Fourth degree squalor
At fourth degree squalor, you have all of the above, plus you have human faeces and/or urine in your house that is not in the toilet.

Now my garage is not always that clean or neat – BUT IT IS NOT SQUALOR!

I am just a little behind in getting things cleaned up – there are too many other things that need my attention.

I think I will take a Rapid Action Tylenol and relax a little. After all I am not well – I have “Disposophobia”.

~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.murraylincoln.com/  
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Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compulsive_hoarding
http://www.mememachinego.com/archives/001195.html

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