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De-cluttering

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Teacheranne Sun 30-Dec-18 00:44:19

It does sound like a serious hoarding problem which can be a mental health problem and need professional help. Could your doctor suggest something?

Personally I could not live in a house with rooms like that, even with the doors closed I think the dust would affect my asthma and allergies. I also HATE spiders and there must be loads living in that room so I would be very nervous in any other room in case they sneak in!

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Buffybee Sun 30-Dec-18 00:38:54

Do you think that he could be a compulsive hoarder? I'm no expert but I've seen people behaving like this on tv programmes.
Aparently, they feel that the stuff they are saving could be useful one day or perhaps of interest to someone else.
This seems to fit with the many tables, lamps, broken printer and wardrobes full of old video tapes.
If it is this compulsion, it is quite difficult to get them to throw anything out as they become anxious.
You could try to remove an obviously useless article from his room but keep it safe somewhere, then see what his reaction is.
You could ask if he wants you to help to sell some of it or repair then sell some things.
If he's only interested in keeping them, he could have a problem.
If he won't go to the Doctors there's not much that you can do, just don't let him infringe his rubbish in any other part of the house though.
Whatever you decide to do Meg, I wish you the best of luck.

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Madmeg Sun 30-Dec-18 00:13:16

How do I get my OH to declutter? He has his own bedroom and an ante-room and they are full of stuff. So full that I'd be embarrassed to admit a doctor if he were ill. He has stuff all over the floors and worktops, all over the bed. He has four coffee tables, several half-dead plants, artificial flower displays (he says they make the room look cheerful), a rusty exercise bike he has never used, you can barely get to the bed for stuff, and it hasn't been cleaned in years. He cherishes an old telly and CD player that is never used, a broken printer, five table lamps, a full-size electronic keyboard he never plays. Most of the wardrobes and drawers are inaccessible cos he has stuff stashed in front of them, and open up the wardrobe doors and they are full of old video tapes, with little room for clothes. I try to dress him decently but his good clothes are thrown on the floor. It's like living with a teenager but he's 72!!!

Should I just put up with it as he points out that they are "his" rooms and aren't impinging on the household?

Meg

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