Compulsive Collectors
They even collect that box of chocolates that they got when they were four years old. But also old clothes that they never wear, things that they find on the street and vinyl records that they can not listen to. Compulsive collectors collect things that are not useful. Therefore, they do not develop a criterion for what should be saved and what should be thrown away.
This would only have been an anecdotal subject if it had not been for the intense tendency to accumulate everything they find, which can lead to problems with health and cohabitation with others. It is also a clear symptom that something is not right with a human being.
The number of compulsive collectors is not exactly small. It is estimated that at least 4% of the population has this problem, which means at least 300 million people in the world. Why do some people accumulate things that do not matter for eternity, until this impairs their quality of life and poses a health risk?
The origin of compulsive collectors
At present, there is no consensus on the factors that make some compulsive collectors. However, there is a consensus that it is a symptom that requires attention and possibly behavioral therapy.
Psychological studies indicate that compulsive collectors behave as they do as a way of defending themselves against fabricated threats. They feel that they should not throw away an item as they may miss it afterwards.
No one understands why a piece of broken paper can be so important, but if you are a compulsive collector, you think that “you never know”. This is really a disguise of a strong sense of fear of change.
If you are a compulsive collector, this can also be a response to trauma. Maybe the person feels fear that the same situation will arise again.
Characteristics of compulsive collectors
Compulsive collectors often have a great need to buy. If it is a good price, it must be bought, regardless of whether the person needs it or not.
It is also common for these to be lonely people. Their obsession with collecting things is due to a fantasy in which they exchange people for objects.
People who have difficulty separating from things they do not need will often feel bad if they are forced to separate from these things.
Dangers of compulsive collecting
The situation can become serious, as in the case of the Collyer brothers. This happened in the USA in 1947. The neighbors called the police because they had not seen them leave the house for a long time, nor had they seen any sign of life. The police could not enter their house through a window or door because there were a large number of objects blocking the road.
They were finally able to get an opening through the terrace. There were so many things everywhere that it took 6 hours to find the first corpse. The second was discovered 18 days later, even when it was only a few meters from the first.
One of the brothers had died because thousands of books had fallen on him. The other brother, blind and paralyzed, died of hunger and thirst.
In less severe cases, compulsive aggregation can cause a major mess at home or in the office. This can also contribute to the emergence of pests because you can not clean properly.
There is no specific method for treating compulsive collectors, but it is clear that these are people who need professional help in their situation.
Pictures by Jennybird Alcantara and Shiori Matsumoto.
