[LifelongLoner]

Is hoarding an OCD issue?

I have so many books and cans of food. I buy too much and they are taking up space. I can't bring myself to throw anything away.

I think I do this because I grew up poor and deprived. But, this stuff is taking up too much space. It seems that I'd rather buy things than go out and do things or meet new people. Granted, many people have treated me badly over the years. So much so that I am nearly a recluse. It seems that I have issues on top of issues and they overwhelm my life. And, I seek security - maybe too much and have a very bad track record when I take risks.

I wish I were more fun. It seems that as a child I never learned to play as I was deprived of toys and playmates because my mother wanted me to grow up to be her caretakes. The damage runs very deep and I've never made much progress in my personal life or career. I am very afraid to leave my apartment and I dread going outside. This problems is getting worse rather than better. I have put a stop to buying new things like clothes and shoes but that's not enough.

[Skeezyks]

Thanks for sharing this. Now that I'm old I rarely spend money on anything. But looking back I cringe at all of the money I spent on absolutely pointless stuff trying to allay the insanity within. It never worked. I hope you find a way to rise above your own struggles.

[unaluna]

Yes, they do say hoarding is an OCD issue. The only "cure", they also say, is therapy. Im still working on it. Im out of therapy, but still dealing with the hoard. What is me, what isnt me. How do i spend my days, how do i WANT to spend my days. Maybe thats how do i THINK i want to spend my days.

[LifelongLoner]

Originally Posted by unaluna

Yes, they do say hoarding is an OCD issue. The only "cure", they also say, is therapy. Im still working on it. Im out of therapy, but still dealing with the hoard. What is me, what isnt me. How do i spend my days, how do i WANT to spend my days. Maybe thats how do i THINK i want to spend my days.

OCD gets really complex when it is combined with other issues. The last few therapists that I saw were feminists and seemed glad that I was suffering. There were of absolutely no help and I ended up in worse state. I no longer trust therapists and refuse to see any though it is obvious that I do need help of some kind. I hope you can figure out a way to spend your days productively so that your life is improved. I seem to be stuck in neutral; unable to accomplish much of anything.