Collections? Or Hoarding Problem?

So, I've been a collector of dolls and have quite a few in my collection. I believe I have close to 100 different dolls in it. I did downsize a tiny bit by giving my old American Girl dolls to my cousin's daughter, who is very into that brand of play doll and who I know will treasure them. They were some of the very first dolls to come out, and have long since been retired aka Kirsten and Felicity.

Anyways, I've read that many collectors often have much larger collections than I, and they don't necessarily collect dolls. It could be plush toys, or Mickey Mouse paraphernalia. These collections span many rooms in their homes and are far vaster than my doll collection.

Yet, there are some that find the act of collecting an unhealthy obsession, perhaps classifying said obsession as a "hoarding" situation. What differentiates a hoarder from a collector, I wonder? Is it that the collector has their collection on shelves and neatly displayed? Well, some collectors don't. They just have their collections in boxes stacked in storage units.

Well, then, is it when the items in question are so numerous that they begin to overwhelm the living space to the point of being unnavigable? But then, they'd still be considered a collection, right? Not a hoarding situation?

What IS the difference then? I'd like to hear your thoughts on this subject.

My thought was that hoarding isn't specific to an item or items that have some type of value, but more to everything and anything. But I've never really thought about it and wasn't sure so I did a little research and this is what I've found:

https://www.adaa.org/understanding-a...oarding-basics

Hoarders suffer from a compulsion to keep the things or have things. It's not like being interested in dolls and wanting to collect them because you like them. HOarders have difficulty letting things go and would be devastated and suicidal if you took their things from them. Someone who collects would be sad they lost their collection, but they wouldn't choose their collection over their loved ones.

And yes, collectors do take care of their collections, whether they are well kept in climate controlled boxes, or on display. Hoarders do not take care of their possessions and in fact, most of what they hoard is spoiled or ruined by mold, rat droppings, etc.

It's the difference between active choice and compulsion.

Seesaw

IS this collection having an impact on your life? For example, do you forgo the necessities in order to add to your collection? How much of a priority is this collecting? I suppose these answers might put into perspective whether it has become a problem or not. It may be no more than an avid and healthy hobby.

I have been a hoarder in the past. I still like collecting sets but it is quite a different thing now.

When I was hoarding, I couldn't throw anything out. It was like exorcising a part of myself. It was like leaving my helpless baby on a hilltop with wolves nearby. I was emotionally invested in everything.

As I started to recover I became aware that everything I was holding onto was a bookmark of something I have attempted that didn't conclude the way I wanted it to. Even something small like having breakfast or wiping over a bench, if it hadn't gone to plan I was keeping the unfinished food and the dusting cloth.

I don't know if this is everyone's experience of hoarding but I somehow felt I was keeping everything safe and together by hanging onto it and as if my life would fall apart if I lost anything.

It developed at a time of great anxiety and probably was an extension of my love of collecting. Nowadays I have turned to digital collections .