Hoarding is a mental health condition that makes it difficult for a person to get rid of possessions, even things that seem objectively useless. This difficulty leads to clutter that can significantly impact their living space and overall well-being.
The Clutter-Hoarding Scale is a tool used to classify the severity of hoarding behavior. It breaks hoarding down into five distinct levels, ranging from minimal clutter to situations of extreme hoarding.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of those five hoarder levels, helping you understand the spectrum of this complex condition.
Understanding Hoarding Disorder
Hoarding disorder involves much more than simply collecting things. Here are a few things to know about the disorder:
- Difficulty discarding possessions. The main feature of hoarding disorder is a persistent difficulty letting go of things, regardless of their value.
- Distress when discarding. People with hoarding disorder experience real stress when they even think about discarding items.
- Clutter. This difficulty discarding items leads to clutter that fills up living spaces.
Hoarding as a mental health condition
Hoarding disorder was added to the DSM-5, the official handbook used by mental health professionals, in 2012.
Hoarding is now considered a compulsive spectrum disorder, meaning it’s in the same family as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), but is a separate condition.
Hoarding is often linked to other mental health conditions, such as OCD, anxiety, and depression.
Hoarder Levels: Level 1 – Minimal Clutter
Level 1 hoarding is characterized by minimal clutter. Generally, the living spaces are neat and organized. Although items may have sentimental value, discarding them doesn’t cause extreme distress, and household functions aren’t noticeably impaired.
Importantly, Level 1 can be the first sign that someone is developing a hoarding disorder. It might be the beginning stage where acquiring new items starts to outweigh discarding old ones, even though it’s not yet visibly problematic.
Think of it as a slight imbalance – a few too many impulse buys, a reluctance to throw things away “just in case,” but nothing that significantly impacts daily life… yet.
Level 2: Mild Clutter
Level 2 hoarding is characterized by moderate clutter and the emergence of early hoarding behaviors. Clutter starts to build up on surfaces like tables and counters, and storage areas begin to fill. Some rooms might be a little messy, but you can still use them for their intended purpose.
At this stage, people start to have a harder time letting go of things and may feel more attached to their possessions. A Level 2 home would correspond to picture #2 on the Clutter Image Rating Scale (CIRS).
Level 3: Moderate Clutter
At level 3, hoarding has become quite noticeable, and it’s beginning to interfere with daily life. The clutter is more extensive, spreading to multiple rooms and possibly blocking hallways and stairs.
At this level, it’s tough to use the house as intended. Cooking, cleaning, and even just moving around become difficult. The person hoarding experiences a lot of distress when they think about getting rid of things, which can lead to conflict with family members.
Safety hazards start to appear, like tripping hazards and blocked exits.
Level 4: Severe Clutter
Level 4 hoarding is characterized by severe clutter and, often, structural damage to the home.
At this level, clutter is excessive, filling almost all living spaces and rendering them unusable. The weight of the accumulated items may cause the house to fall into disrepair.
Household functions are severely impaired, and the home may be unsanitary and unsafe. The person living in the home will likely have extreme difficulty discarding items, which can lead to significant conflict and distress.
The structural damage in a Level 4 hoarding situation poses serious safety risks to the occupant and, potentially, their neighbors.
Level 5: Extreme Hoarding
Level 5 hoarding situations are extreme. Biohazard and suicide cleanup might be necessary.
At this level, the home is completely overwhelmed. Clutter creates major health and safety risks. The house may be considered unihabitable due to biohazards, sanitation problems, and the risk of structural collapse.
People in level 5 hoarding situations often feel completely isolated and don’t realize how serious the problem has become.
Level 5 hoarding creates extreme safety hazards. The risks include fire, pest infestations, and exposure to hazardous materials.
What are the effects of hoarding? When should I seek help?
Hoarding has a devastating impact on well-being, physical health, and relationships. It often results in isolation and impairment.
That’s why early intervention is so important.
If you or someone you know is struggling with hoarding, a professional can help. Experts recommend seeking help at level 4 or above on the Clutter Image Rating Scale (CIRS).
Closing Thoughts
We’ve looked at the five levels of hoarding, from Level 1, where the clutter is minimal, to Level 5, where the home is hazardous and unusable. It’s important to remember that hoarding disorder tends to worsen with time.
That’s why it’s so important to recognize the signs of hoarding and to seek help as soon as possible. Hoarding is treatable, and people can and do recover.
The best outcomes usually involve a combination of professional help, therapy, and a structured, compassionate cleanup effort. With the right support, a healthier, safer life is possible.