Clutter and Depression

Does clutter cause depression? Does depression cause clutter? At any given moment during a high-clutter period in my household, I may argue the validity of both of these scenarios. Clutter has a special way of inspiring stress and frustration, which, more often than not, abets the inability to combat the mess. It becomes circular–which came first, the chicken or the egg? In the end, it seems to snowball into a tangled mess of tension and depression and it’s hard to tell what’s causing what.

Chronic disorganization is not a medical diagnosis, nor is it a generally specified symptom of depression–but ask just about anyone who suffers from clutter if they feel there is some type of link, and I bet 99 percent will say yes.

According to an article in The New York Times, excessive clutter and disorganization are often symptoms of a bigger health problem. People who have suffered an emotional trauma or a brain injury often find housecleaning an insurmountable task. Attention deficit disorder, depression, chronic pain and grief can prevent people from getting organized or lead to a buildup of clutter. At its most extreme, chronic disorganization is called hoarding, a condition many experts believe is a mental illness in its own right, although psychiatrists have yet to formally recognize it.

Compulsive hoarding is defined, in part, by clutter that so overtakes living, dining and sleeping spaces that it harms the person’s quality of life. A compulsive hoarder finds it impossible, even painful, to part with possessions. It’s not clear how many people suffer from compulsive hoarding, but estimates start at about 1.5 million Americans, according to The Times.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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Richard E C.

11:27PM PDT on Apr 16, 2013

Thanks.

April 16
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Eric L.

7:16PM PDT on Sep 1, 2012

I have clutter only because I do other things and I don't want to clean up.

September 1
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Dale O.

8:22AM PDT on Jul 31, 2012

My living space is not large and there is what some would say...clutter... around. Since it is not hoarding and there are not clothes, papers, boxes and what not all over the floor...I just live with it as I know where most things are.

As long as a home is kept clean and fairly organized then live with what one is happy with.

If one finds things overwhelming if in a mood to clear things then tackle a small portion at a time especially if living with clinical depression.

Have a lot of knick knacks around, little treasures like small wooden boxes, a batch of milkweed seeds and colourful red leaves along with tiny geodes, pussy willows to name but a few.

The floor is kept clear and my blind cat easily navigates around with her whiskers and enjoys the pot of catnip that is placed by her tree stand (she no longer climbs it but the visiting kitties love it). Both of us are cozy in our cluttered albeit kept neat and tidy atmosphere.

July 31
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Past Member .

5:05AM PDT on Jul 17, 2012

Interesting article , but sometimes clutter cannot be avoided due to lack of space!

July 17
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Zazgyva A.

4:01AM PDT on Jul 17, 2012

gr8, thx

Terry V.

5:47AM PDT on Jun 28, 2012

thanks

June 28
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Leila M.

7:42PM PDT on Jun 27, 2012

It's difficult to get rid of stuff. Things come and go. It is as if nothing has changed. The hardest part is to sort between the multiple little things we collect and put everywhere. They spread like a contagious disease, and that is awful.

June 27
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Despina V.

12:33PM PDT on Jun 17, 2012

noted

June 17
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Kelly R.

10:47PM PDT on Jun 12, 2012

Thank-You, for defining hoarding you forgot to mention animal hoarding. I have a friend who is both an animal hoarder and possession hoarder. There is a 12-Step program called Clutters Anonymous out there. It is small so you might have to begin a group. Look on the Internet for how to contact them.