Re-wiring thoughts. Created by Tania Reid, For the Crowded House, the hoarding specialist service.

Here is the theory Prospect theory - states that people make decisions based on the potential value of losses and gains rather than the final outcome Negativity bias theory - our brains are wired to remember and respond more intensely to negative events than positive. We also act to avoid bad feelings rather than to seek good ones. 1 + 2 = People who hoard will base their decisions to act placing more value on avoiding the unpleasant events (loss), rather than the gains and will tend to minimise the overall outcome. Created by Tania Reid, For the Crowded House, the hoarding specialist service.

Here’s what to put into practice Just as we all are wired for this, this doesn’t mean we can’t realign our thoughts and behaviours to focus on good overall outcomes. Step 1. Discuss with our client’s how these thought patterns impact on their thoughts and behaviours. Step 2. How can clients re-focus their thoughts on the overall outcome and the gains, rather than the losses? After all, Step 3. Use positive language to reinforce the re-focusing. Talk about ‘creating space’ to do activity x (link to values) rather than throwing away/discarding/losing items/animals. Created by Tania Reid, For the Crowded House, the hoarding specialist service.