Almost Buried Under a Mountain of Clutter: Why Hoarding Is a Serious Issue We Can’t Ignore

Skudai Assemblywoman Marina Abraham recounted a startling incident:

The aunty cried and did not let us clean her house. When we looked into her house, we were shocked by the situation. For 20 years, she had been hoarding the stuff, even neighbours were surprised and did not know she was living with her two children in a room.^[1]

Outside her apartment unit, piles of rubbish had accumulated over the years. During a government-initiated deep-cleaning programme, the severity of the situation became evident – rotting food, empty bottles, and congested plastic bags filled the apartment.

It was later revealed that the woman suffered from hoarding disorder, a mental health condition that can leave individuals overwhelmed by their attachment to possessions. 

However, the act of sharing photos of her living conditions online raised ethical concerns. The mother of two’s private struggles were sensationalised, potentially dehumanising her in the process.

While many of us may think we understand hoarding, it is often treated lightly in everyday conversation. Terms like “hoarder” are tossed around casually, sometimes even as jokes.

But what truly happens when someone becomes so deeply attached to their belongings that letting go causes acute emotional distress and anxiety? The story of this woman offers a glimpse into the profound and often misunderstood realities of hoarding disorder.

Understanding The Hoarding Disorder

Hoarding disorder is more than just a messy room or an overflowing closet. It’s a recognised mental health condition marked by:

• Persistent difficulty discarding items (even digital files) due to a perceived need to “save” them.
• Habitual collecting, often far beyond what is practical or necessary.
• Paralysing difficulty with organisation, making even basic tidying overwhelming.
• Chronic indecisiveness about where to begin decluttering—or whether to start at all.^[2]

These behaviours combine to create a living environment that can hinder daily activities like eating, sleeping, and moving freely.

Hoarding can also manifest in the form of animal hoarding, where individuals genuinely care for the animals but are unable to provide proper care, leading to overcrowded and often unhealthy conditions^[3].

A 70-year-old man, Sim (pseudonym), who lives alone and spends his days looking for and gathering items to bring back home. This habit began when he had sought to collect recyclable items for a clear, financial purpose. 

I love these items too much to throw them away. Previously, I sold some of them, but after that, I didn’t want to sell them anymore and preferred to collect them. – Sim, 70 year old hoarder^[5]

Gradually, however, he found himself unable to part with the things he had gathered. It’s been 5 years of nearly daily acquiring and piling up of objects ever since.

Hoarding is an insidious compulsion that is developed over time and contingent upon a range of environmental, neurological, personality and mental health factors—no one is born a hoarder.

It therefore presents itself differently in different people. There is no single profile of a person who hoards.

Mental health is on a continuum. So, some people could even be hoarding without having the disorder. – Dr Chua Sook Ning, Clinical psychologist and founder of Relate Malaysia^[6]

Breaking Stereotypes About Hoarding

What comes to mind when we think of hoarding? Perhaps an image of an elderly person living alone, surrounded by towering heaps of so-called junk, outdated containers, and endless piles of possessions.

But hoarding isn’t confined to this narrow stereotype. Young people in their 20s, married, employed, and otherwise thriving can also struggle with hoarding disorders, some tracing their habits back to childhood^[7].

Media portrayals, often driven by shocking visuals, oversimplify hoarding and perpetuate harmful stereotypes. Those who hoard are frequently labelled as lazy, selfish, or unattractive, reducing a complex mental health condition to a caricature.

Take, for example, the assumption of selfishness. It’s not about a lack of emotion. It’s often quite the opposite. Hoarding can stem from an intense emotional attachment to objects, serving as a way to preserve the past, cope with trauma, or even build a sense of companionship through their belongings. These connections reveal a depth of sentiment that is rarely acknowledged^[8].

By understanding the emotional and psychological layers behind hoarding, we can replace judgment with compassion and foster a more nuanced view of this challenging condition.

I began to recognise common behaviours: the overthinking and distress at the thought of letting go of objects, the paralysis of indecision. I learned how hoarders often use objects as emotional insulation or to fill a void. – Jo Cooke, Director of Hoarding Disorders UK^[9]

Scratch beneath the surface, and you may discover that hoarding can evoke feelings of control, safety, productivity, and even joy for those who engage in it.

The Emotional And Physical Impact Of Hoarding 

It can be a very solitary existence, one prompting feelings of loneliness and rejection from society and loved ones.

When the issue of hoarding begins to transcend the internal and trigger profound external dangers such as the growth of pests, mould, communicable diseases, fire hazards and other safety issues, lives are put at undue risk. 

Therefore, although hoarding in itself is not criminalised, measures can be taken against people whose hoards have generated complaints from neighbours and pose significant health risks.

The Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Management Corporation (SWCorp), under Section 75 of the Solid Waste and Public Cleansing Act 2007, can assess whether they should be found guilty, which would then involve a huge fine of between RM10,000 to RM100,000 and/or imprisonment for a maximum of six months^[10].

Action can also be taken under the Local Government Act 1976 Section 82(5) and Section 81(C). 

Additionally, local city councils can actually issue a summons to carry out major decluttering and to arrange for the removal and disposal of items. But this is counterproductive in the long run and immediately traumatising for the hoarder.

Some of these people with a hoarding problem are often in denial. Clearing out the hoarder’s clutter in the name of intervention also cannot resolve their problem. – Dr Chua Soo, Clinical psychologist and founder of Relate Malaysia^[6]

Taking that first step towards realising and admitting that you have a problem with hoarding is a huge feat in itself, with or without outside help. 

M. Ravin, 58, revealed how his older brother’s hoarding disorder has devastated their family. Once a taxi driver, his brother began collecting recyclables like car batteries, tyres, and bottles, eventually filling every space in his terraced house in Masai.

The house became a breeding ground for mosquitoes and flies, making it unbearable for family members. – M. Ravin, brother of a hoarder

Repeated advice from relatives and neighbours failed to stop the hoarding, straining his brother’s marriage. Eventually, his wife left and moved to Kuala Lumpur to live with their son, leaving the house in disarray and the family fractured^[5].

Reducing Stigma On Hoarding

Dealing with hoarding requires compassion and empathy, with a focus on personalised therapy rather than solely physical intervention. Malaysian Mental Health Association (MMHA) president, Dato’ Dr Andrew Mohanraj, emphasises the importance of addressing hoarding on a case-by-case basis, as each individual’s story is unique^[11].

Hoarding can be emotionally overwhelming, but even small acts of support can spark significant change. Lee Shuer, a former hoarder, is an example of how external encouragement and self-discovery can pave the way to recovery.

Encouraged by his wife, Lee joined a research study that helped him explore the reasons behind his hoarding. He confronted his attachment to objects and challenged the belief that these items defined his identity.

Letting go is different for everybody. I would compare it to the feelings of breaking up with someone; over time it hurts less. Now, the nature of my attachments has changed to the point that letting go has often been more satisfying than hurtful. – Lee Shuer, former hoarder^[12]

Resources For Support

If you or someone you know is ready to take the next step, the following organisations offer help:

• Malaysian Mental Health Association (MMHA): Mental health support services.
• Thrive Well: Family therapy and other mental health services.
• Relate Malaysia: Psychological support and counselling.
• Aloe Mind: Accessible mental health care.
• Mental Illness Awareness and Support Association (MIASA) Malaysia: Free services for the B40 community, including CBT.

Support and holistic care can empower individuals to regain control over their lives, offering hope and healing for those affected by hoarding.

Explore Our Sources: 

1. Sarji, N. A. (2023). Hoarder of two decades cries when rescuers try to clean her house. Sinar Daily. Link.
2. Collett, J. (2019). Unpacking hoarding disorder. APS. Link.
3. Hoarding. (n.d.). Mind.Link.
4. International OCD Foundation. (2024). Who gets Hoarding Disorder?. Link.
5. Mahmud, N. H., & Dass, M. V. (2024). Rise of hoarding disorder among Malaysians. NST Online. Link.
6. Nambiar, P. (2020). Hoarding is a problem only if it becomes a nuisance, say experts. Free Malaysia Today. Link.
7. Abdullatib, S. (2020). Young people not spared from hoarding disorder. The Malaysian Reserve. Link.
8. Subramaniam, M., Jeyagurunathan, A., Devi, F., Chang, S. H. S., Samari, E., Verma, S. K., Ng, W. L. J., Tan, W. M., Chong, R., Ye, P., Lim, L. L., Babjee, R., Vaingankar, J. A., & Chong, S. A. (2019). An exploratory study on the lived experiences of hoarding in Singapore. Health & Social Care in the Community, 28(2), 456–466. Link.
9. Cooke, J. (2018). I work with hoarders. Forget the stereotypes. The Guardian. Link.
10. Rashidi, Q. N. (2024). Overrun with old, useless stuff. The Sun. Link.
11. Mohanraj, A. (2021). Hoarding: When recycling habit goes awry. Link.
12. Simple Living. (2017). Conversation with a recovering hoarder. Link.