Home Organization And Mental Health

A cluttered home may not be a sign of a lazy or disinterested occupant, it can be a signal of serious mental health issues. The National Study Group On Chronic Disorganization lists five levels of clutter, which is commonly also known as 'hoarding'.

These levels range from a normal amount of clutter in an environment that has no noticeable amount of smell, dirt or damage ranging to level five with intolerable smells, structural damage, infestation and unlivable conditions. Fortunately most households fall into the first category.

Level two is where problems can be seen, and if you are living in a level two environment, you already know the differences. The NSGCD defines the second level as a house with one exit blocked, a major appliance not working for longer than six months, and some pet order (light waste spotting, dander, limited caged pet care).

The living areas of a level two house have clutter such that it impedes use of more than two rooms, a narrowing of the passageways, limited evidence of housekeeping, tolerable but not pleasant odors, light mildew and moderately dirty food prep areas.

A cluttered home leads to a self-perpetuating negative emotional spiral. The mess creates a sense of danger rather than comfort, and eliminating it can be seen as a task beyond the capabilities of its creator.

A kitchen that has become useless from clutter or simple mess often means that the occupants tend to eat convenience food which is less healthy. Indirectly a mess house can contribute to cardiovascular diseases. And as most prescriptions are taken with water, and often with food, some doses may be missed or skipped altogether.

A nonfunctional washer or dryer may mean that clothes go unwashed and wearing dirty clothes with an offensive odor may also perpetuate a negative cycle in the reactions from others the hoarder may encounter.

Laundry also contributes to a messy household, and one of the few things that a messy householder should buy is a quality laundry hamper for each resident of the house.

There have been many causal connections made between clinical depression and messiness. The depressed person feels a sense of disconnection from themselves and their environment, often accompanied with the well known lack of motivation. It is believed that one tends to fuel the other.

Cleaning one's home can have a soothing, ritualistic property to it execution. If security and comfort can be derived from familiarity with one's surroundings, then the handling, cleaning and replacement of items within the home re-familiarizes the occupant with the house. In addition to the sense of comfort comes a sense of accomplishment that overrides the pervasive frustration and defeat of an insurmountable mess.

Even Feng Shui has warnings against cluter, it says that physical objects obstruct the flow of energy, and on the psychological level that is scientifically correct.

To help get over a messy house, clean as you go. Don't make it worse by adding more to the mess, but make a commitment to hold it at its present level. Then work on reducing it. Break it up into manageable amounts defined by time, with efforts of no more time than you presently spend on other activities. If your attention span is a half hour, clean for one half hour.

Setting a schedule often helps too, and stick to it. And if none of this works, seek help. Contact a mental health provider and ask for a reference. You can also seek out family members. A home can be clean and healthy.

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