What Distinguishes a Hoarder From a Collector?

A small collection of tea caddies displayed.

Source: Shirley M. Mueller

Collecting is a widespread hobby where people acquire, preserve, and display specific items they find interesting or valuable. At first glance, collecting may seem similar to hoarding, as both involve a focus on material possessions. However, there are key differences between the two. While few studies have explored the variances between the two in detail, three distinguishing differences have been described (Nordsletten & Mataix-Cols, 2012).

1. Collecting is Common: Collecting is relatively widespread and seen as normal behavior. About 30-40% of people report that they engage in some form of collecting. This makes it a familiar activity, whether it’s collecting coins, stamps, sports memorabilia, or any number of other items. In contrast, hoarding is less common and tends to involve more distress and impact on day-to-day life.
2. Use and Appreciation of Items: A key difference between collecting and hoarding lies in how people view and use their possessions. Collectors appreciate and often display their items for aesthetic enjoyment, educational purposes, or social sharing. This "use" can be as simple as organizing collected treasures to allow them to be admired or shared with others. However, individuals with hoarding tendencies often claim that their items will be useful in the future but rarely use or truly enjoy them. Instead, hoarded items may be packed away, hidden, or inaccessible.
3. Organization of Space: Another distinction is how the items are stored. Collectors typically organize their items in specific spaces within their homes, such as shelves, display cases, or dedicated rooms. They ensure the collection is contained, organized, and often presented in a way that enhances its value or meaning. On the other hand, hoarding often leads to clutter that can spread across multiple rooms, taking up floor space and interfering with the intended use of living areas. This lack of organization is a core feature of hoarding, which can affect the safety and functionality of the home.

Preliminary research suggests that collecting does not make someone more likely to develop hoarding behaviors. In fact, in general community samples, little association has been found between the two activities. However, when working with clients who have hoarding difficulties, psychologists should be cautious. Individuals with hoarding tendencies may label themselves "collectors" to justify their inability to discard items. To better understand whether a person is truly a collector, psychologists are encouraged to look at collecting websites, forums, and sold listings on online auction sites. This can help differentiate between normative collecting behavior and problematic hoarding.

Understanding these differences is crucial for both individuals and professionals, as it can help clarify when collecting is simply a fun, fulfilling hobby and when it might be a sign of a deeper issue needing attention.