What is the disease called when someone is a complete pack rat, never cleans, and always buys things?

The house is a complete wreck, and only gets worse. They never want anyone to come inside, and purchases are in triplicate from home shopping networks, and consistant shopping trips to the mall. They don't use what they buy, and don't take it out of the box most of the time. It all stacks up around the house, and they never throw out newspapers or magazines, saying there is an article in them that they want to read sometime. Does anyone have any information on this? And is there a cure other than counseling which has not done a bit of good?What is the disease called when someone is a complete pack rat, never cleans, and always buys things?
First we must seperate issues. there are three here, but all lead to trying to fill yourself up on the inside with stuff for the outside. Its a compulsive disorder, to buy what you don't need to point of not wanting others to see. Not cleaning can be because there is so much stuff you literally can't clean. You didn't say if it was you, or someone you know or love, but most importantly, you have to understand they can not change anything until A. they realize it is a problem and WANT to change it, and B. start addressing what is wrong in their lives that makes them do the behaviour. I am a recovering packrat, and when i give away or sell or throw out things in my way i know I do not need, it now makes me very happy with myself, and never once have I ever wished it was back. (EVER) As for the not cleaning issue, i was never taught to clean as yong girl, and got away with it most of my life. Then I developed life threatening allergic reactions to allergins accumulating in the stuff, so I had to begin to learn how to live cleaner. If i hadn't, I am not sure I would have addressed it. Now it may still look messy, but its an ever-changing mess, which I know ';I'; control. Understanding one can always look up info in all that stuff saving to read someday, helped me to rid of paper that causes dust mites, ect. The cure is in simply understanding both what is missing in your life, and taking concrete steps every day to correct the problems. I have a freind who is same ways, we both had hard upbringings that left us kind of needy and clingy, which we took out in material ways, since we are not like that in emotional ways. Stuff never can take the place of another to love, or make you happy. It can be though of as a disease i suppose, but its more of a combination of disorders I think. Good luck, and if theres anything I can do to help, let me know. Not knowing if its you, or another makes a big difference. If they are not ready to discuss what underlying isses are, there is no way up (yet). My friend sees me winning the battles sometimes, and she is beginning to listen, and see I am making progress, so she lets me help clean up and i-d things that she does not need, but I never push, or assume I understand her internal landscape. More info would help to be able to see where to go from here.....danielleWhat is the disease called when someone is a complete pack rat, never cleans, and always buys things?
OCD is what I believe the Doctors would call that but I think they need alot of our prayers instead.
Crazy?....








Or someone who just has a hard time letting things go. I think everyone is this way to a certain extent though...maybe not the newspapers and buying this in triplicate. But we all have our things we ';collect'. Therapy usually helps..There's gotta be a reason WHY they do it.
ok it maybe a diorder if it is really seriouse but its called horders disese
Get a book called ';Driven to Distraction'; by Dr Edward Hallowell, through your local library. If, when you read it, it sounds as though it was written about your life, you have ADD. If you are a student, get a book called ';Reading Outside the Lines.'; Good luck.
I dont think its a disease! My mum has the exact problem and its VERY infuriating!





The causes might've been never having belongings as a child, or barely anything. never able to buy anything, always low in money, which compared to now, they have money and can spend it on anything.





Everyone handles things differntly, this person just handles her problems by buying new things. I suppose its much better tahn smoking, going to the pokes or buying lottery tickets, dont you?





But if this problem is dead serious, then go to a docter and im sure he'll give you usefull information to help.


Or even a natrapath, take natural suppliments, yoga?