Why Do Hoarders Keep Feces?
Complex psychological conditions often lead to behaviors that most people find unusual or even reprehensible. In the case of hoarding disorder, sufferers often develop an obsession with acquiring and/or hoarding objects, creating an environment of disarray and distress. For some, hoarding can extend to encompass even feces.
what is Hoarding Disorder?
Hoarding disorder is defined by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke as “a persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions, regardless of their actual value”. These possessions can refer to a wide range of items, from newspapers and books to food and collectible items. Profound distress is often caused by the thought of parting with the items and hoarders may be unwilling to do so, often leading to overcrowding in the home.
Difficulties with Mental Health and Social Relationships
Hoarding can often accompany other mental illnesses such as depression, OCD, social anxiety and attention-deficit disorder. Hoarders also often have trouble forming relationships, due to feeling judged or embarrassed by their behavior. Therefore, hoarders may not be able to turn to loved ones for help or understanding.
Why Do Hoarders Keep Feces?
Hoarders that keep feces are usually suffering from an intense anxiety, usually connected to abandonment and feeling unworthy of care. They may feel as if they are being seen as worthless by their peers and by holding onto objects that evoke shame and disgust, they can num the feeling of worthlessness or guilt. Here are some reasons why hoarders might keep feces:
- Body safety – Hoarders may keep feces out of fear that someone will hurt them. By storing the feces, they feel a sense of control and safety, knowing that it is a way of protecting their body.
- Sensation of Power – By hoarding feces, hoarders may feel a sense of power over something which is viewed by society as despicable or disturbing.
- Feeling of Worthiness – Possessing feces may make hoarders feel special or unique and give them an identity or purpose that was lacking.
Conclusion
Hoarding is a serious problem that can negatively affect not only the hoarder’s life, but also those of their family and friends. Hoarding feces can be a sign of deeper psychological issue and it is important that anyone exhibiting this behavior seeks specialized help as soon as possible.
1. What psychological disorders may lead to hoarding of feces?
Different types of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders (OCD) can lead to hoarding of feces. People suffering from OCD may hoard feces out of fear or obsessive thoughts. Other mental health disorders that can cause hoarding of feces include certain types of schizophrenia, extreme anxiety, paranoia, and depression.
3. What are some of the symptoms of a person with a hoarding disorder involving feces?
Some of the symptoms of a person with hoarding disorder involving feces include intense fear of throwing feces out, anxiety upon seeing feces, difficulty in organizing feces in a safe way, shame or guilt for having or collecting feces, difficulty getting rid of feces even when faced with hygiene and safety concerns, difficulty in discussing the problem with others, and severe distress when faced with discarding feces. Other symptoms may include persistent and recurring thoughts or images related to the feces, neglect or lack of attention to personal hygiene, physical health, and living environment as a result of the hoarding, inability to control the acquisition of feces, and disturbances in daily functioning as a result of the amount of time and energy put into acquiring and managing the feces.