Customer Reviews

Stuff: Compulsive Hoarding and the Meaning of Things

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Homer and Langley Collyer (circa 1940's New York City and immoralitized in Marcia Davenport's book "My Brother's Keeper" in 1954) are probably the most recognized hoarders in American history. They are not alone. An estimated 2 to 5 percent (6 to 15 million) Americans are considered "hoarders".

Hoarding goes far beyond the display of German Beer steins your father has in the family room. But what tips the scales from innocent collecting into "pack rat" behavior and then further into full blown psycho-pathologic hoarding?

Illustrated through personal accounts and case studies this non-fiction book is a vivid, interesting account even for the non-clinican. Who are hoarders? What are the common demoninators, the genetic/family influence? What does all those tons of useless, unsanitary "stuff" mean to them? What is the impact of hoarding on the family members? Can the hoarding cycle be broken? These questions and more are addressed by the authors. This book could have easily been dry or overly clinical. It was neither. I could not put it down (does that make me OCD?) You will see your co-workers, friends and even yourself within its pages. If you ever needed an incentive to clean out the basement or garage this book will provide it.

If you are a fan of the two current television shows documenting hoarding behavior you will find this book even more interesting. It goes beyond what is shown on the small screen and delves into the true being of a hoarder. The book is a great source of information to friends and family of hoarders.

Fascinating Read!


Updated 4/23/10: The May 3rd edition of "People" Magazine reviewed this book and gave it 4 out of 4 stars and was their "People Pick" of books for the week. Whether you are a "People" person or not, this book deserves the attention.

I just finished my copy a couple of days ago. I am a moderate to severe hoarder myself. The book is great for at least two audiences. Those of us trying to figure out why we hoard, I could identify with various aspects discussed in the book. Perhaps the audience that would benefit even more from this book would be those who are friends or relatives of hoarders who are trying to understand the behavior. The many aspects and forms of hoarding are discussed in a non-judging way and with a level of compassion that is missing in most of the now popular haording television shows. While many of those shows seem to go for the shock value of the severe hoarder this book shows compassion and looks at the many differing reasons people fall into the trap of hoarding. The road out from hoarding as Dr. Frost points out is a difficult one and this book is not intended to be used as a gide to dig out but instead is the best if not the first book that instead concentrates on giving the hoarder a human face that perhaps more people can find compassion for.

The book would also be a good source for a therapist starting to work with hoarding clients. Through the insight given in the people the therapist most likely would be better prepared to find some of the core reasons why an indivual hoards and that understanding of course is a key step in any long term gains.

Stuff is first and foremost about hoarders-people who keep so much stuff in their homes that it negatively affects their lives- but it is also about all of us. Stuff forces its readers to look at themselves and wonder: why do I have all this stuff?

I agreed to read Stuff because hoarding fascinates me, and my family has had some experience with it. My husband's grandfather kept a very cluttered house, eventually filling an entire pole barn full of items from yard sales and the trash. Going through his items after his death was excruciating, and it was difficult to understand why he kept a broken rake, toy cars with only two wheels, and Tiffany lamps all together.

According to the book, my husband's family is not alone. In fact, SIX MILLION Americans suffer from hoarding, and only recently are doctors beginning to understand its complications. It is a bizarre combination of nature and nuture-both genes and family conditions have been identified as factors. I had the misconception that most hoarders were elderly, and that the Great Depression had led to their condition. Frost and Steketee quickly addressed this false logic by explaining that in their research most hoarders have never experienced a period of extreme need or want.

Instead, they argue, most of them had a childhood of extreme disconnect/isolation from their parents. Their "recent research indicates that an absence of warmth, acceptance, and support characterizes the early family life of many hoarders, perhaps leading them to form strong emotional attachments to possessions." Therefore, as children they learned to become attached to objects rather than people.

Still, I was amazed to learn that there are a variety of reasons why hoarders keep these items.

* utility: Everything has a use, and the hoarder believes that they will use the broken rake later to fix another one.
* opportunity: That piece of newspaper is an opportunity to be smarter, go on a trip, understand something greater, etc.
* fear of error: The hoarder can't decide if this item is important or not, so he/she just keeps it.
* perfection: In an attempt to perfect a collection, he/she keeps all of the magazines published in 1999 together.

Millions more are affected by hoarding when you factor in their families, their caregivers, and their neighbors. At one point Dr. Frost participates in a house-wide cleanout in NYC. After speaking with a representative from the cleaning company he learns that a house-wide cleaning can cost upwards of $50,000 and that this particular company averages four such cleanings a day!

Ironically most of these cleanings are paid for by the city as a result of legal issues/social work, and they don't end the hoarding because they don't address the reason behind the issue. In fact, these house-wide cleanouts usually make the issue worse. The authors are concerned that hoarding is on the rise-with 11 million Americans owning storage space around the country-something that did not exist forty years ago.

Consistently in the book I was puzzled by the question: what is the difference between clutter and a hoard? What distigushes a collector from a hoarder? Apparently I am not the only one with these questions, and the authors argued that "(p)erhaps the best way to make the distinction between hoarding and normal collecting is to determine whether the behavior creates a problem for the family." Still vague huh? Well Dr. Frost developed a Clutter Image Rating to help diagnose potential hoarders. Patients look at the pictures and determine which one looks like their house. Doctors are then in the difficult position of deciding if children in the home are endangered. If so, they legally have to report the hoarding issue which usually results in legal action and the patient not returning to therapy.

I really enjoyed this book because it was a combination of stories and scientific data. It also made me constantly aware of the items that we choose to keep in our home, our cars, and our lives. I still have not come to an answer about all of my stuff, but I do know that my fridge is cleaner after the chapter about food hoarding!

E. L. Doctorow's recent novel, "Homer and Langley," focuses on the tragic case of the Collyer brothers. These two eccentrics "lived in a three-story, twelve-room brownstone in a once fashionable section of Harlem." The police who broke into the brothers' home were faced with a staggering sight. "The house was packed with junk--newspapers, tin cans, magazines, umbrellas, old stoves, pipes, books, and much more." Apparently, Homer died from a heart attack brought about by starvation, and Langley was crushed by a huge number of baled-up newspapers that fell on him. More than 170 tons of junk was ultimately removed from the house of these once wealthy siblings, and the Collyer brothers became the stuff of legend. How and why did this tragedy occur?

Randy O. Frost , a professor of psychology, and Gail Steketee, a professor of social work, are both experts on obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders and have studied hoarding for years. In "Stuff," they discuss compulsive hoarding--what it is, who suffers from it, and what can be done about it. In the prologue, the authors mention that Dante created a place in hell for those who hoard and for those who waste. The poet said, "You need no words of mine to grasp their plight." Indeed, for those who cannot throw anything away, life can quickly become hellish for them and their families.

Between two and five percent of Americans are compulsive hoarders. Everyone knows someone who suffers from this syndrome. It could be a friend, neighbor, someone's husband or wife, or even a child whose unhealthy attachment to things interferes with his or her ability to live normally. This problem afflicts men and women, rich and poor, young and old. Not everyone hoards in the same way. Some shop until they drop, purchasing things that they do not need and will never use. Some collect what others would consider trash. There are those who save mementos that have sentimental meaning; unfortunately, almost everything can fall into this category. In addition, the authors profile individuals who collect so many cats that they are overwhelmed with the responsibility and can no longer function. Hoarding can destroy marriages, cripple one's ability to make and retain friendships, endanger one's health, and turn living spaces into uninhabitable junkyards. No one knows what drives someone to hoard, but possible contributing factors are: having a parent who was either remote or abusive, a need for perfection, a desire to control one's environment and fend off anxiety, and/or a genetic predisposition.

"Stuff" is an enlightening and compelling work of non-fiction. Frost and Steketee have tremendous compassion for their patients and have made house calls in an attempt to help hoarders conquer their compulsions. The authors' anecdotes demonstrate that hoarding is not a one-size-fits-all problem, nor is it easily cured. Merely getting hoarding under control can be very difficult. Other than mental health professionals, who would profit from reading this book? Those who live with a spouse, sibling, parent, child, or friend who clutters endlessly should read "Stuff" to gain valuable insight into this debilitating condition. Frost and Steketee give suggestions for further reading and list organizations such as Clutterers Anonymous and Overcoming Hoarding Together that can provide much-needed support. If you have ever been tempted to fill your house with things that you do not need, remember that less can be more. Material possessions, no matter how precious they may seem, are poor substitutes for love, companionship, and peace of mind.

I come from a family with lots of what I would call near-hoarders. My mother hasn't crossed the line into being a true hoarder, but she certainly has traits of one, and I know I might also. This book may really help us not cross over into realms of hoarders. It is very well written---a perfect mix of stories of those who hoard and of insight into their minds and what might have caused them to start hoarding things. One trait I see in myself is a tendency to think of objects as having feelings---I realize I do this a bit without even meaning to, and I also tend to keep things that are associated with memories---things people have given me, even if I don't want them or have no use for them any longer. Both are traits many hoarders have. I felt like the authors had peeked into my mind when they talked about how many hoarders simply don't see the clutter in their house, and are amazed when they see actual photos of their rooms---they simply don't see the junk that is around. My house is messy, but not anywhere to the extent of a true hoarder, but I certainly don't see the mess until somehow I am forced to. I saw my mother in the trait many hoarders ironically also have---they are very concerned about germs and about order. She doesn't like anyone touching or rearranging her things, and often covers piles with rugs or towels to keep them from being disturbed, as if that makes them invisible. All this makes us both sound rather wacky, and I don't think we really are, and this book shows well that many hoarders aren't either---they are often pleasant, personable people who just have a problem with THINGS. I would encourage anyone with an interest in hoarding or concerns about their own family or themselves to read this wonderful book.

This book interested me because I discovered a secret about my uncle when he passed away: he was a severe hoarder. I was only in his room for a few moments before being shuttled away, but it was long enough to see his stuff piled wall to wall and floor to ceiling. It was unlike anything I'd ever seen before--until years later when I entered my spare bedroom, which serves as my storage room, and realized, though not as severe, I too was a hoarder. I wanted to find out why and how such a thing could happen.

Stuff: Compulsive Hoarding and the Meaning of Things is divided into sections recounting the stories and findings from various participants in case studies. It begins with an introduction outlining the case of the infamous Collyer brothers who managed to hoard an eye-popping 130+ tons of stuff, including multiple grand pianos and a car--yes, inside their home.

The book then moves on to more modern examples, but rather than distilling the plain facts, the participants' voices are infused in the narration. This makes Stuff a rather poignant read. It's relatively easy to empathize with these people especially if you know a hoarder, live with one, or are one. I'll admit that some of the stories--the motivations and emotions behind them--were enough to pull a tear from me, partly because the book reminds you that these are *real* people.

Each of these sections starts with a memorable quote by one of the participants. Two quotes tugged at my heartstrings and gave me pause. One was courtesy of Irene: "If I throw too much away, there'll be nothing left of me." The other by Ashley, the daughter of a hoarder: "It was my BIG SECRET. I always had to make up something to keep my friends from coming over." Those quotes alone were enough to show the depth of hurt and shame many of these people carry with them. (BTW, names and identifying information were changed to protect the privacy of the participants.)

Although this book is surprisingly readable, I did find a few sections to be unnecessarily repetitive. For instance, in the introduction the amount of stuff the Collyer brothers hoarded is revisited no less than three times and it made me wonder if it was only included for shock value. Other sections made too many assumptions about the amount of knowledge the reader has about OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) and ICD (Impulse Control Disorder) when discussing their correlations with hoarding, but these assumptions weren't enough to stall the reading.

Also, if you're a hoarder looking for solutions to your problem, you likely won't find it in here. What you will find, however, is hope, inspiration, and support. This book is a testament that you aren't alone and in a roundabout way, it offers insight into how to approach the problem. In a sense, this book is like a first step in the right direction: admitting there's a problem and resolving to understand it in order to overcome it.

For those who aren't hoarders, but who may know one or live with one, this book offers a glimpse into the hoarder's psyche. Again, no definitive solutions are offered, but through the stories and analyses of them, it's possible to come up with a plan to move forward, with sensitivity, and it lists some action steps you can take to get the ball rolling (to include reading one of the authors' self-help books).

In the end I was amazed that I enjoyed this book as much as I did. I do have a deep interest in psychology, but I do find most psychological studies to be dry reads; Stuff is anything but--it has personality. I could easily recommend it to someone who may not enjoy psychological study but who has a morbid curiosity, along with people who have a genuine interest in the subject of hoarding.

I'm sure many people feel that hoarding is simply laziness and sloppiness, but this book makes it clear that this is a complex psychological problem with deep roots, and the possessions are the symptom, not the true problem.

The authors have conducted long term studies into this problem , and present their professional findings and theories through in-depth portraits of various types of hoarders , including children and animal hoarders. Causes and consequences of hoarding are examined, and treatment options presented.

The solution is not just a cleanup ( which if not handled correctly can cause serious trauma and a worsening of the condition) as the problem is not simply too much stuff, but the value the person places on the possessions - often with no correlation to the actual value of the item. Treatment is also complicated by coexisting problems- OCD, shopping and gambling addictions to name a few.

This book is a good resource not just for those that want to understand this issue or help others with this problem, but the average person can gain insight into their own attachment to and feelings for possessions. Read this well written and thought out book instead of watching one of those voyeuristic tv shows.

I found this book on compulsive hoarding to be utterly fascinating. The authors are professors of psychology and social work at Smith and Tufts and have studied compulsive hoarders for several years, visiting hundreds of cluttered homes in the process.

Most people like their stuff, and it is easy to empathize with the motivations of hoarders. Most of us derive comfort from things we own, and most of us also bind up our identity with things: books, record collections, vacation photos, or favorite clothes. It is natural to feel a bit of a wrench in our hearts when parting with special material things, whether the loss is sudden or comes from natural wear and tear. I can be a bit of a packrat, so it was particularly easy for me to identify with hoarders and the feelings and stories they attach to their stuff.

Stuff is easy to read (not dry at all) and the case studies are especially compelling. There is also one chapter on animal hoarding, a subset of compulsive hoarding in general.

Oh man, as I read this book I found myself getting increasingly stressed out. I think I might be a hoarder. Before I just considered myself interested in many types of things, but now I question that. No, I can't pass a garage sale without stopping and buying something, yes, even the mannequins in the department store wave to me, and NO my house is not very well-organized. The book says that if clutter is interfering with one's daily life then chances are high he might be a hoarder. I have not invited anyone inside my house in over 6 months...not a good sign.

The good news is that the authors of STUFF present numerous scenarios and I think almost everyone would be able to relate to at least one of them in some form. It also provided the necessary impetus to get my act together and either throw away some of my stuff, or have a really big garage sale. Now that I am aware of how serious this compulsion can become, I have the desire to rid my house of all its clutter...no matter how much it stresses me out.

The one thing I wish this book would have contained is a checklist of steps that a beginning-recovery hoarder could follow. It is made clear throughout this book that there are numerous causes for people to hoard, including genetics, brain chemistry, and the need to be surrounded by comforting objects. I'm not sure why I am inclined to hoard (but it's always easy to blame one's mother), but I plan on making changes immediately. A checklist would have been a good way to start as I would be able to mark items off the list as I accomplished them. I guess I'll have to buy one of the other books on Clutter that were mentioned in this book. Great...one more thing to add to my heap.

This is the best book on the subject of hoarding I've ever read. I always thought I just had a clutter problem. Now I realize I actually have a minor hoarding problem, and am motivated to do something about it. I'm lucky that I CAN let most "clutter" go, but only now see--after reading all the de-cluttering books there are--that I make some hoarding-type excuses for not weeding out more. I'll be able to make better-reasoned decisions, now. I'm trying to make myself think, when tempted to buy one more gadget, Is there room for it? Is it necessary? How much would I use it? Will anything else do? For instance, in an emergency anything at hand becomes a hammer. I'm trying to think in terms like, if I had to move, how much of this stuff would I really want to take with me? And, do I really hate my relatives so much I'd leave them this mess to clear out when I die?