Malaysians and hoarding; is it a growing problem, and how early does it start in one's life?

In a 2020 report, it was noted that one in 50 Malaysians exhibited hoarding tendencies. (PHOTO: Getty Images)

By JAYAGANDI MALAR

She loves her 70-year-old aunt, but Umairah struggles to stay focused whenever she visits her aunt’s home. And it is all because of the mess that greets her.

“My aunt hoards. Her house is filled with things collected over many years, including her grandchildren’s broken toys, which she believes can be fixed. From the family area upstairs to the porch downstairs, there are various things taking up usable space.

“The house is also so dusty that I get sick whenever I visit. Although a cleaner does come in, there’s just too much clutter,” she said.

But what distresses Umairah even more is the expired food in the kitchen, some from a decade ago.

“She is a great cook, but when I look at the condition of her kitchen, I lose appetite. I once took the opportunity to clean the kitchen for her when she was away on a holiday.

“But upon her return, she was livid,” added the police officer from Kuala Lumpur.

Incidentally, Umairah’s 42-year-old cousin, her aunt’s daughter, has similar habits.

“My cousin and her children occasionally live with her mother. (Her problem is that) she loves buying cheap things online for her family. However, when those things become unusable, she doesn’t repair or discard them,” she said.

Umairah said that this results in the non-hoarders in the family feeling very uncomfortable and not visiting Umairah’s aunt and cousin often.

Not all families are like Umairah’s, however. In fact, in some cases, family members admit to being forced to take matters into their own hands when faced with hoarders.

Ana, for instance, says she recently made two family members junk a load of unused and unusable stuff. And as one would expect, they were far from pleased.

“There were warring words as I pushed them to dispose of things. They would have kept broken and mouldy things had I not been there,” she said.

As an organised person, Ana said it is mentally challenging to have to live with two hoarders. And that is exactly why her bedroom has become the only place in her home where she does not feel anxious or angry.

“For my sanity, I have put my foot down and taken control of all the shared spaces. Their bedrooms are theirs but the living space, dining hall, kitchen and store must be maintained to be safe, clean and clear of hoarding,” she said.

Hoarding kept under wraps

According to a report from 2020, one in 50 Malaysians are likely to be hoarders. But does that statistic remain accurate four years on?

Mental health experts are unsure.

Yet, what they can say with certainty is firstly, that the previously quoted figure is in line with global statistics, and secondly, that there is cause for concern, given the prevalence of mental health issues among Malaysians.

Clinical psychologist Dr Joel Low notes, however, that hoarding disorder currently makes up only a small percentage of Malaysians who face mental health struggles, with depression and anxiety being the most common conditions. Nevertheless, part of the reason for that might be that cases often go unreported, and sufferers only get diagnosed when situations become extreme.

“In most cases, it is kept hushed or in private in an effort to ‘save face’,” said Low, adding that there is also a general lack of awareness about hoarding disorder.

But what is perhaps more important to recognise is that, contrary to popular opinion, hoarding does not just affect older persons.

Psychiatrist Dr Aaron Fernandez highlights that studies reveal hoarding disorder often originates in childhood or adolescence. (PHOTO: Getty Images)

How early does hoarding start?

According to psychiatrist Dr Aaron Fernandez, studies indicate that hoarding disorder symptoms usually start in childhood or adolescence. And it is when certain behavioural traits go unchecked that hoarding can become a massive issue.

“Early symptoms may emerge around the ages of 11 to 15, and it starts to interfere with the individual’s everyday life by the mid-20s,” he said, adding that the severity of hoarding increases with each decade of life. Hence, the perception that it is an older person’s problem.

Interestingly, Fernandez, who has over 20 years of experience in the Malaysian mental health sector, notes that hoarding behaviour also tends to be familial and that much like Umairah and Ana’s cases, 50 per cent of individuals with hoarding tendencies usually have a relative who is a hoarder.

Tread with empathy and compassion

In any case, whether or not it is a younger or older person who is exhibiting symptoms of hoarding disorder, mental health professionals say that dealing with a hoarder, particularly within a family, requires patience, understanding and a collaborative approach.

This is why certified counsellor and family therapist Bawany Chinapan advises approaching a person with hoarding disorder with empathy and compassion.

“Express concern for their well-being. Offer support without judgement or criticism. Encourage them to talk about their feelings and challenges related to hoarding.

“At the same time, practise self-care as it’s vital that one’s own physical and emotional well-being is taken care of, especially if living under the same roof as a hoarder. So, find activities that relax and recharge, and set boundaries to protect your own mental health,” she said.

Bawany also suggests professional help for sufferers of hoarding disorder. However, this would require significant encouragement.

“Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and specialised hoarding disorder treatment programmes have been shown to help manage hoarding behaviour. So, try to seek out professionals who have experience treating the disorder,” she says.

In addressing hoarding disorder, mental health professionals emphasise the importance of patience, understanding, and a collaborative approach. (PHOTO: Getty Images)

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