Hoarding
Individuals with OCPD may present symptoms such as hoarding, wherein their loved ones often suffer heavily from the negative consequences of their actions. Hoarding may be easily identified by the sheer volume of their accumulated possessions. Some of the usual things they hoard are newspapers, files, cardboard boxes, magazines, photos, food, plastic bags, clothes, and home supplies. They may also be seen collecting free goods such as fliers, compulsive shopping, and the obsessive hunt for ideal or unusual products.
They may be reluctant to discard unnecessary items and can have an irrational fear that all of the items will be of use in the future. They may also fear sharing these items due to a lack of trust in others. Because of their repetitive and obsessive thoughts, hoarding can lead to anxiety about the potential scarcity, and some may even rummage through garbage cans to retrieve some items.
Pathological hoarding, characterized by compulsive behavior due to OCPD, can cause significant discomfort and functional impairment over time. They often have hazardous living circumstances, including a lack of usable home space and an abundance of broken appliances. In extreme cases, OCPD can lead to divorce, loss of child custody, and severe financial issues.
