Collecting vs. Hoarding


Since psychology is the study of human behavior and collecting toys is a behavior, it is only natural that the psychology of collecting would eventually be studied by psychology students and psychologist at some point in time. In fact, there have been many studies regarding the reasons why people collect and the fulfilling emotions that the practice provides. There are many collectors who worry whether or not their passion for collecting toys and other items might cross the line into the dangerous arena known as hoarding.


Many people collect items because they feel an emotional connection to them. For example, people who collect Star Trek toys often enjoyed the television show as a child and the items help them relive that feeling they had when they watch the show. Many collectors simply like the way that some objects look or feel in their hands.


The manual for psychologists is called the DSM, which is short for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, and this book includes the disorders that can be diagnosed and treated. The newest version will include information about hoarding so that psychologists can help people treat their psychological disorder. These are the cues for diagnosing hoarding:


1. Difficulty disposing of possessions, whether they are valuable or not.
2. Difficulty disposing of possessions comes from distress and strong urges to keep the items.
3. The home or workplace becomes unusable because it is extremely cluttered with items.
4. Distress and impairments comes from the fact that the home or workplace is so unsafe from all of the clutter.
5. Hoarding is a disorder that stands alone and is not caused by any other medical condition, like dementia.
6. Hoarding is a disorder that stands alone and is not caused by any other psychological disorder like obsessive-compulsive disorder or anxiety.


Once you have ruled out being a hoarder, you can then begin to understand the psychology of collecting. Many collectors might have the first two symptoms of hoarding, because it is very common for collectors to develop stress if they have to consider parting with their collections. They also develop strong urges to keep their collections intact.


The other symptoms of hoarding usually do not create problems with collectors. Many collectors keep the collections very organized. Displays are often neat and tidy, rather than cluttered and messy. The collections rarely interfere with the cleanliness of the house, which is the opposite of what happens with hoarders, who do not organize their items, but simply place them wherever they land.


Interestingly, in the studies regarding adults who collect, one team of researchers found that nearly 33% of all adults have some type of collection. However, when it comes to hoarding, the population of adults who hoard is under 5% of the population. Even at this population, odds are that everyone knows at least one person who would qualify for the diagnosis of hoarding. It is very important that hoarders get the help they need. It is also important that collectors continue to observe their collecting habits so they do not fall victim to life changing symptoms of hoarding.