Tips to help you help others to get sorted Created by Tania Reid, For the Crowded House, the hoarding specialist service.

Is the acquiring because… Is it a pleasure seeking behaviour or is it to avoid feelings of discomfort? People typically acquire For pleasure - they will buy to increase their sense of O connection – to others, the world “I will buy craft to share with others” O identity – linked to their values, real or ideal (I am a smart shopper and don’t want to miss out on this bargain). To avoid feelings of discomfort O competence – avoid making a mistake, experience a loss (so I will buy all colors/sizes/varieties ) O stability – used to regulate emotions (I feel bad so will make myself feel better) O safety – anthropomorphising (these things will keep me safe) Created by Tania Reid, For the Crowded House, the hoarding specialist service.

Pleasure or pain? Of course, some people might be acquiring for both reason, but regardless you are well on your way to assist them to understand and address their thoughts and acquiring behaviour. If they are acquiring for pleasure, what other activities can they do to express their want for connection? Or do I really need to buy these10 items, maybe 5 will do? I once worked with a woman who thought that she would be poor in her older years so she wanted to buy while she could still afford it. The problem was that she was creating a poor future self by acquiring – a self fulfilling prophecy. If people are acquiring to avoid/minimise their experience of sadness/anxiety/loss, it may help to remind them that this is a short term solution – the acquiring of the item is a band aid. If it really was a ‘solution’, they wouldn’t need to do it again. Created by Tania Reid, For the Crowded House, the hoarding specialist service.