Depression Forum - Hoarding???

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Q: Hoarding???

asked by: Kitty_Kat on March 24th, 2007

New User

I was wondering if hoarding is a type of depression or is related and if so in what way. I have a hoarding(animal hoarding) problem and have had since I was very young about 12 years old if not younger. Keep in mind I just turned 19. I have been depressed for years off and on now. I was in counseling for about two years, when I was 13-14 years old. My parents have very supportive to me. I have always loved animals and very much so. I have always had a lot of pets, but I feel 3 months after I get a new pet. I know I have a problem. I love everyone of my pets VERY much and all have a spot in my heart. I know that if I had more then I have now I couldn't give them all the love they deserve. I can pay the bills and give them all attention, but I know they want more love. That's how I know I have a problem because I know I can't give them all they deserve but I still want more and more. I know that if I didn't live with my parents this would have blown way out of control. I want to know what I can do about it, because eventually I will be moving out of my parents home how can I stop myself. I am a dog groomer and get enough dogs at work,then I go home to my four dogs, a cat, a parrot, two mice, two ferrets, and a pond of fish. I need help, when can I do??? Thanks, plus if this is in the wrong spot please let me know Smile

Replies(2)

Stan

replied on March 24th, 2007

Moderator

I believe it has some connection to depression, obsessions at least. You don't sound like you really have a hoarding problem, at least not yet. Hoarders will have animals everywhere, in cages, in poop, dead, in the yard, in their house, you name it. And I'm talking like a kajillion animals. However, if you feel like you have a problem there may be something going on. Did you ever address the question as to why you'd want to keep getting animals when it's clear you have enough? Hoarders often love animals, but yet forget that the more they get, the worse it gets for them. We had a set of hoarders back at my old job who had it so bad there were dried up, dead horses in their house, out in the yard, dying cows, pugs with their nails so long they couldn't walk, and so forth. You have to start thinking about them eventually, the problem is within you, but perhaps if you consider that you might be able to get a grip on it, otherwise you're going to need help.

NoneChuck

replied on June 25th, 2009

New User

Stan wrote:

You don't sound like you really have a hoarding problem, at least not yet.

The hoarders that Stan describes are the people that become a problem for the rest of us, requiring the intervention of rescue agencies and law enforcement. The hoarders themselves may have been in denial about it being a problem right up until that knock on the door.

I am very hopeful for you, Kitty-Kat, because you recognize the problem before people or animals end up suffering. I have a loved one with a hoarding problem. The good news is that she hoards stuff rather than living things. The bad news is that she doesn't think it is a problem and I have been walking on eggshells trying to figure out how to intervene.

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