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Post by PaperGrace on Oct 24, 2015 11:07:51 GMT -5
 It was interesting to see my progress from how I imagine I'd have filled out this survey when I first found this community to present. |
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Post by Fivecat on Oct 24, 2015 16:34:54 GMT -5
I had a little trouble, too, in that Im not really a hoarder. I hate to shop, generally don't buy anything I don't need, don't have a problem letting go of what I don't need, cull clothes twice a year, etc.and i hate clutterclutter, even though i always seem to have ssome. While my DHL has some hoarding tendencies, I am a squalorer. I fail to see dirt and don't really get things done in a timely manner (although many things are MUCH better, even resolved since joining here) which ccauses what i would classify as every day, recurring clutter. That being said, I do have problems due to what I would consider extenuating circumstances that the survey did not differieniate and should, like:
Debilitating health/physical conditions. While the survey asked about meds and diagnosis of mental conditions, I don't remember it addressing the above, which I think is an issue for many here. I know it is for me. I just don't have the physical ability to remove alot of the stuff id like to/need to anymore and nk help to do so.
Debilitating health. I am often to sick to get stuff done. Its very easy to get "covered up" that way. Some days its all I can manage just to feed myself. Now, that's not all the time, but frequent enough to have an impact.
I live with someone with a tendency to hoard. He's not horrible, but I do have his stuff to deal with and it's frustrating working around that or when he digs in and doesn't want to let go.
The BIGGEST problem is living in a house that's been in a state of remodel for almost 20 years. Everything that should belong in a garage is in our house, since we don't have one. Power tools (Some large), construction materials, nails, screws, etc. make up the balance of unwanted clutter both inside and out (ladders, boards, plywood, etc). I would have NO PROBLEM letting any of it go were it not for the fact we absolutely need it for the house, eventhough health and time constraints put it in the "someday" category more and more all the time.
I also feel anxious shopping when money is so tight for what we need, much less what we want. If I happen to buy something that doesn't work out, I beat myself up horribly for it and very much hesitate on buying.
Anyway, I do think the survey would benefit to reflect some of these things.
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Post by TML on Oct 24, 2015 19:07:14 GMT -5
Took the survey. I felt that some of my answers required more explanation too. I am sure the question would be - if you don't have problems throwing stuff out why do you have clutter. There was not a spot for child of hoarder whose Mom lived with them and made a disaster which I am cleaning up after she moved to assisted living. With a note of cleaning up very slowly due to my back issue (like Fivecat said health issues make huge impact - the mind is willing but the body is weak). Fivecat - I just had surgery on Monday. I finally went to see a pain specialist for my back. I put it off forever but it is amazing how much more I can get done now that I can move a bit better. I hope you can get to feeling better too. If part of it is back DM me and I can give you info on the back injections. |
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jayune
New Member
Joined: October 2015
Posts: 11 
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Post by jayune on Oct 24, 2015 22:29:06 GMT -5
Thankyou to all members who have participated in my survey since the last time I checked in.  Just to address some of the feedback given. Please know everyone's participation is valuable to my survey. I need both people who have problems with accumulating too many possessions and those who don't. Research supports that hoarding behaviour occurs along a spectrum; it's not like either people hoard and have a problem or don't hoard at all and have no problem. Everyone accumulates stuff to some degree. However, where possessions get in the way of a person's ability to live effectively, and cause significant distress and impairment then I do think warning bells should be going off. The statistics that I'm using will compare the differences along this spectrum and is not a study comparing isolated groups. Therefore if you don't accumulate much, accumulate a bit, accumulate a bit on the high level or have an out of control accumulation problem it is all relevant to this study. I agree with the criticism of the form of the questions. It is very hard to be specific - everyone's experience is individual. Open ended questions would capture this (and would be more interesting to read) but unfortunately to run statistics you need to quantify the answers. I guess answer the questions in a way that best represents the time period indicated and maybe think about overall during that time period how it was. It doesn't matter how you house was maybe 6 months ago; what is relevant is the time stipulated in the survey. Also, when asking about clutter in the living areas, this means 'active' living areas, such as the kitchen, lounge room, bathroom or bedroom. Areas such as garages, attics or basements don't count. Some other comments I won't answer now because other people who have yet to do the survey and I wouldn't want to influence their answers. However, some issues brought up are factors which I am looking at in this study. When I'm finished I'm happy to send a copy of my thesis to anyone or alternatively I could summarise my findings in a post here if you wish. I really appreciate all comments and do wish I had incorporated a place for this. However, people can post their comments here as I'll be regularly checking in. I also have provided my email address at the beginning of the survey for those who prefer leaving comments in this way. Thankyou all again, Jay |
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jayune
New Member
Joined: October 2015
Posts: 11
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Post by jayune on Oct 24, 2015 22:46:05 GMT -5
Just saw three other comments ... didn't realise there was a second page.
Thanks for bringing this up fivecat. Unfortunately, there are things you don't always anticipate. In every study there is error; different reasons can be attributed to the outcome (accumulating behaviour). It is taken into account when running the statistics but our goal is to minimise this error. All this feedback, although may not benefit my study, will help with others in the future.
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Post by Fivecat on Oct 25, 2015 0:15:31 GMT -5
Just saw three other comments ... didn't realise there was a second page. Thanks for bringing this up fivecat. Unfortunately, there are things you don't always anticipate. In every study there is error; different reasons can be attributed to the outcome (accumulating behaviour). It is taken into account when running the statistics but our goal is to minimise this error. All this feedback, although may not benefit my study, will help with others in the future. Understand. Perhaps you can note some of these factors in your thesis. Good luck! Id love to read it when you finish.  |
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Post by Fivecat on Oct 25, 2015 0:18:45 GMT -5
Took the survey. I felt that some of my answers required more explanation too. I am sure the question would be - if you don't have problems throwing stuff out why do you have clutter. There was not a spot for child of hoarder whose Mom lived with them and made a disaster which I am cleaning up after she moved to assisted living. With a note of cleaning up very slowly due to my back issue (like Fivecat said health issues make huge impact - the mind is willing but the body is weak). Fivecat - I just had surgery on Monday. I finally went to see a pain specialist for my back. I put it off forever but it is amazing how much more I can get done now that I can move a bit better. I hope you can get to feeling better too. If part of it is back DM me and I can give you info on the back injections. No, not back. Thankfully. I have diabetes, copd, multiple sleep disorders, and its seems maybe a blood disorder. Lot going on with me. Mr 5 is not in great shape, either. |
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Post by wynken on Oct 25, 2015 0:26:34 GMT -5
I just had a go at this.
Its a bit subjective what answer to give at times, imo.
one room, carport are fairly over run. most surfaces are not as intended here. Some piles in 'designated spots'.
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Post by angela on Oct 25, 2015 21:45:37 GMT -5
Done.
I'm starting to realize just how sneaking my accumulating and hoarding really is. All those micro-decisions that I make day after day and week after week have kept me in deep clutter for a long, long time now.
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willette
New Member
Joined: August 2010
Posts: 65
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Post by willette on Oct 26, 2015 6:21:38 GMT -5
I tried and had no luck but you can email it to me at Sarageneva @gmail.com
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willette
New Member
Joined: August 2010
Posts: 65
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Post by willette on Oct 26, 2015 6:27:44 GMT -5
As I said before I tried to copy and past on my iPhone and it didn't work. So if you could please email me the link. I too recently had my pain meds upped and I am able and willing to get more done.
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Post by lulu1949 on Oct 26, 2015 10:14:53 GMT -5
Jayann, I took your survey and would like to make a few comments. I don't hoard because I see things that I absolutely want and really don't need and collect them every chance I can. My problem with my clutter (hoarding?) is that I buy projects to make for myself or others as gifts. BUT, I never follow through on making them. All the good intentions are there, but I cannot start and completely finish a project. This adds to my depression, seeing all the stuff that needs to be finished. For example: my granddaughter loves ballerina outfits. I went to the fabric store and got all the necessary fabric and notions to make a tutu. I brought the stuff home, was excited to be doing this for her. So, I can see my sewing machine amidst the rubble of "stuff' on my dining room table (it has been years since I have sat there and eaten a meal). But, the pedal and power cord is nowhere to be found. I don't feel like digging through a mountain of stuff to find it, so another project has been put on hold. I wonder if other members on this site have the same problem - starting something and never finishing. Not going to throw out the unfinished project because that would be wasteful and of course a guilt trip for me.
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jayune
New Member
Joined: October 2015
Posts: 11
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Post by jayune on Oct 26, 2015 13:30:36 GMT -5
Thankyou again everyone who has been doing my survey. Here is the link again. I'd like to attach it to the first post but I have yet work out how to do that. unebcss.co1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_a9Jrh6ONdgtXVnTI'll get the link to you and thanks for persisting Willette. |
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Post by Fivecat on Oct 26, 2015 16:51:31 GMT -5
Thankyou again everyone who has been doing my survey. Here is the link again. I'd like to attach it to the first post but I have yet work out how to do that. unebcss.co1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_a9Jrh6ONdgtXVnTI'll get the link to you and thanks for persisting Willette. Ask the mods here if they can help you with that. |
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Post by Unswamping on Oct 26, 2015 19:00:23 GMT -5
jayune i took the survey. I thought it was very interesting and would love to see a summary post of your results. I undestand why you didnt do open ended questions, you need quantifiable data for statistics. I understand that the survey is a snapshot in time. I wonder though if it might be useful to know if participants are actively working on overcoming hoarding and squalor. Ive been working on these issues for a few years in individual therapy and here on the forum for about 15 months. I found that the recovery work i have been doing has influenced some things like my willingness to part with things. Its not denial on my part to have a house with living areas that are unusable due to hoarding and yet say i am willing to let things go. It takes time to develop the "letting go" skill and to sort through a hoard and let things go. I hope that when you come across these seemingly inconsistent answers, that they arent discarded due to inconsistency. I think you will find that people in recovery from hoarding will tend to have some inconsistent answers. Your questions gave me alot of food for thought, and alot to talk about in therapy. I think emotional regulation, complusive acquistion and hoarding are linked together. Thank you for your interest in this topic and i hope that your thesis is successful.
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