Do you think that hoarding is hereditary or behavioral?

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   skyblugurll1posted 13 years ago

   Do you think that hoarding is hereditary or behavioral?
   
   

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   R.Cochranposted 13 years ago

   I think that it is behavioral, but can often be tied to dramatic life experiences. I have an aunt who is a hoarder who started after her mother died. I think it was a way of trying to holding to something she lost.

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   susanlangposted 13 years ago

   I think it's both! Some time ago I worked with a family who's grandmother was hoarding everything in sight. Her home was rendered a health hazard by the health inspector, and, the entire family was admitted to the hospital for infections. I often asked her why she did it. Her response was simply, "I'm saving things for my yard sale." She had a grandson who hoarded as well. Hope that helped.

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   skyblugurll1posted 13 years ago

   My mother never really kept a very clean house and she always tended to "hang on to" things.  I can see slight hoarding tendencies in myself sometimes, and when I do, I freak out and start a massive "purge".  Now that there is only my mom and dad in the home there is no room for anything because of how much crap that is there!  My parents are 74 and 80.  I am afraid for them because if anything happened the EMTs would not be able to get to them.  This is such a touchy subject and I just wonder what I should do to help resolve it.  My three other siblings have done pretty much nothing.  My one sister "has" gone over there to "straighten up", but when she does, my mom just finds more crap to take it's place.. It's a never ending battle!!

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   Right On Timeposted 13 years ago

   can be both, depending on the context of the person in question.

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   Ciminderposted 13 years ago

   Based on my experiences in my family, I believe it is behavioral.  My mom has a very difficult time getting rid of anything.  However, my grandmother keeps far less stuff in her home and I am constantly donating the things I no longer need or use when I aquire new posessions.  I could see where heredity could be an argument based on hoarding trends running in families, but I think they are learned behaviors taught to children by their parents instead of a genetic disposition.

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   landscapeartistposted 11 years ago

   That is a good question.  My mom was not a hoarder, but he was.  I am and I am in constant battle with myself to toss out items.  Some pose sentimental value but others just mark a time in my life.  I think it is a mental state some of us get into and i think depression has something to do with it.  I don't believe that behavior has anything to do with the how or why. 
   I am always battling depression of a sort.  It can really get you down, and I feel a sense of security by things I have around me.

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