We all have treasured possessions—a favorite pair of shoes, a much-beloved chair, an ever-expanding record collection. But sometimes, this emotional attachment to our belongings can spiral out of control and culminate into a condition called compulsive hoarding. From hobbyists and collectors to pack rats and compulsive shoppers—it is close to impossible for hoarders to relinquish their precious objects, even if it means that stuff takes over their lives and their homes. According to psychologist Dr. Robin Zasio, our fascination with hoarding stems from the fact that most of us fall somewhere on the hoarding continuum. Even though it may not regularly interfere with our everyday lives, to some degree or another, many of us hoard. The Hoarder In You provides practical advice for decluttering and organizing, including how to tame the emotional pull of acquiring additional things, make order out of chaos by getting a handle on clutter, and create an organizational system that reduces stress and anxiety. Dr. Zasio also shares some of the most serious cases of hoarding that she’s encountered, and explains how we can learn from these extreme examples—no matter where we are on the hoarding continuum.
The Hoarder in You
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"I would say that Dr. Zasio’s book is about the best self-help work I’ve read in my 46 years as a health and science writer. She seems to know all the excuses and impediments to coping effectively with a cluttering problem, and she offers practical, clinically proven antidotes to them."
– Jane Brody, The New York Times
"An easy to read, well-organized guide to improving your life and reforming the way you look at the mundane."
– Publisher’s Weekly
About the Author
ROBIN ZASIO, PsyD, LCSW, is a featured doctor on the Emmy-nominated hit A&E series Hoarders and specializes in treating hoarding and other anxiety-related conditions. She lives in Sacramento.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
134 of 136 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
My house has been filling up with clutter and though I wouldn't say I was quite at the hoarder stage, I found this book to be helpful and insightful. Some important issues raised were the differences in brain activity in hoarders and how cognitive-behavioral therapy really can help, how sometimes hoarding is secondary to other mental health issues(such as OCD).
I think hoarding is so stigmatized and isolating, it is difficult for those who have an issue to reach out for help. This book helps people know that hoarding has something behind it- it isn't just a matter of laziness or being a dirty or cluttered person.
I could really relate to the part about how hoarding can devastate someone's life by becoming such an obstacle they feel they are better off stuck at home. The author's message is clear- don't just clean up the mess, the mess is a symptom- cure the disease and the hoarding can be fixed.
If you are a hoarder, know a hoarder or are afraid you might turn into one- I highly recommend this book. Has some good tips for people who aren't the type of hoarders that hoard massive piles of papers etc. in their home but have a singular issue like keeping a massive pile of mail because you might need something for tax purposes, etc.. The author goes through several important rooms in the home and discusses ways to manage the de-cluttering.
Very interesting and insightful book
I think hoarding is so stigmatized and isolating, it is difficult for those who have an issue to reach out for help. This book helps people know that hoarding has something behind it- it isn't just a matter of laziness or being a dirty or cluttered person.
I could really relate to the part about how hoarding can devastate someone's life by becoming such an obstacle they feel they are better off stuck at home. The author's message is clear- don't just clean up the mess, the mess is a symptom- cure the disease and the hoarding can be fixed.
If you are a hoarder, know a hoarder or are afraid you might turn into one- I highly recommend this book. Has some good tips for people who aren't the type of hoarders that hoard massive piles of papers etc. in their home but have a singular issue like keeping a massive pile of mail because you might need something for tax purposes, etc.. The author goes through several important rooms in the home and discusses ways to manage the de-cluttering.
Very interesting and insightful book
60 of 60 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I enjoyed this read and believe that many people with hoarding or clutter tendencies would find it useful. The author provides a good discussion of hoarding situations (from moderate to extreme), along with real-life examples to which many others may be able to relate. The book covers both hoarders and the people who live with hoarders, so if you are not a hoarder yourself, you may find some useful tips on working with the person in your life who is. The second half of the book discusses identifying what kind of hoarder you might be, various treatments available, and the steps you can take to modify your shopping/collection habits, clearing your clutter (with suggestions for each individual room in your house), and maintaining a better lifestyle.
I found the "Placing Yourself on the Continuum" chapter to be very helpful in determining what type of "clutterer" you are - and it is also quite motivating if you, like me, end up realizing that you're more of a clutter collector than you had hoped. I also liked how the author discussed dealing with objects that were gifts or were from a deceased love one - I get so guilty over throwing these items away in particular, and the author provided a lot of good checklists/bullet points to remember when dealing with these objects. I think the author also did a great job in explaining how to modify your shopping habits and the things you should think about when buying more items.
Overall, the author has a good conversational writing style that makes for an easy read and strikes the right balance between being serious but encouraging. The frequent real-life examples also keep the book from becoming dry. I must admit that I haven't read very many of these books, so I can't speak to whether this book offers anything new if you've already read a great deal on this subject. For someone who hasn't read a lot of these books, however, I think this is a good place to start.
I found the "Placing Yourself on the Continuum" chapter to be very helpful in determining what type of "clutterer" you are - and it is also quite motivating if you, like me, end up realizing that you're more of a clutter collector than you had hoped. I also liked how the author discussed dealing with objects that were gifts or were from a deceased love one - I get so guilty over throwing these items away in particular, and the author provided a lot of good checklists/bullet points to remember when dealing with these objects. I think the author also did a great job in explaining how to modify your shopping habits and the things you should think about when buying more items.
Overall, the author has a good conversational writing style that makes for an easy read and strikes the right balance between being serious but encouraging. The frequent real-life examples also keep the book from becoming dry. I must admit that I haven't read very many of these books, so I can't speak to whether this book offers anything new if you've already read a great deal on this subject. For someone who hasn't read a lot of these books, however, I think this is a good place to start.
70 of 71 people found the following review helpful
By Espresso J
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I too saw this book reviewed by the NY Times and bought it for my Kindle the same day. While I don't have a problem with hoarding (no really, I swear!) the book has helped me with clutter, organization, and letting go. It was also well-written and well-organized. I liked how each chapter gave an overview of a particular behavior and then dove deeply into it and how to treat it. This allowed me to skip over the parts that weren't relevant to me and focus on the ones that were.
The book helped me make three changes in my relationship to stuff. It helped me recognize "excessive acquirer" tendencies in myself. Too good a deal to pass up? Buying more in bulk than I need? Imagining someone who could use it? Guilty but getting better.
The book also gave me specific suggestions for dealing with areas like my closet and files. Finally it helped me to see the "opportunity cost" of keeping things that I am not really using. This was particularly helpful in cleaning out my freezer and pantry.
In sum, Dr. Zasio helped me realize a few behaviors that were detracting me from my best life and she provided me common sense advice that helped me change my perspective and behavior. Buying and reading this book was time and money well spent.
The book helped me make three changes in my relationship to stuff. It helped me recognize "excessive acquirer" tendencies in myself. Too good a deal to pass up? Buying more in bulk than I need? Imagining someone who could use it? Guilty but getting better.
The book also gave me specific suggestions for dealing with areas like my closet and files. Finally it helped me to see the "opportunity cost" of keeping things that I am not really using. This was particularly helpful in cleaning out my freezer and pantry.
In sum, Dr. Zasio helped me realize a few behaviors that were detracting me from my best life and she provided me common sense advice that helped me change my perspective and behavior. Buying and reading this book was time and money well spent.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
the hoarder in you
Very helpful. Not a hoarder but we live in a one bedroom and have to periodically take an inventory and get rid of things so we do not get cluttered. Read more
Published 21 days ago by karenkosky
3.0 out of 5 stars
Very thorough in psychological breakdown
Robin Zasio's "The Hoarder In You" provides a thorough and comprehensive breakdown on the reasons, rationale and treatment for those with hoarding tendencies. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Sibelius
5.0 out of 5 stars
HOARDER BOOK
Interesting book. Hopefully it will help me let go of a lot of old stuff that I don't need. The read the first few chapters and they kept my attention. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Ed
5.0 out of 5 stars
The hoarder in you
Excellent book, whether you are just a little disorganized or have a serious issue with hoarding, this book explains why we collect things and/or have trouble discarding stuff.
Published 1 month ago by James
4.0 out of 5 stars
Liked this Book Despite Myself
I read this book and recognised myself. It helped enormously!! You will recognise yourself too - and it will give you the strength and skills and structured framework to start... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Amanda
4.0 out of 5 stars
Helpful
I am not a hoarder, but wanted to read this book because my friend has parents who are. I read 5 pages and stopped to clean out the drawers in my bathroom. Read more
Published 3 months ago by SLG
2.0 out of 5 stars
There's an older, better book.
I am a clutterer for sure. I hoped to find the motivation and encouragement that would get me to declutter. New York Times gave this a stellar review. Not me. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Hate to Shop
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hoarding tendencies can and should be tamed...
Too much stuff can perhaps seem like a sign of abundance, but in excess, clutter can turn to hoarding. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Florence Weeble
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lightening up
Live in a small 60 year old townhouse,which means no storage. Author's classification of hoarders vs clutterers was enlightening. Recognized myself and am proceeding to declutter. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Bonnie K Goetz
5.0 out of 5 stars
Helped me be more compassionate
This book provides excellent insights into the varying sources of clutter. Don't judge it by the title, since the term hoarder is more often then not a derogatory term. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Erik Schmidt
