How to Find Out if I am a Pack Rat

Although the pack rat (Neotoma cinerea) is actually a type of rodent that hoards food and other items, the term is more commonly used for people who have a tendency to collect things and never want to throw them away. If you have a growing collection of clutter, you may wonder if you are a pack rat or just keep a messy house. Fortunately, by simply taking a look around the house and evaluating your feelings, you can determine if you are a pack rat or have even a more serious problem known as hoarding.

Instructions

• 1

  Take a good look at the living space in your house. There is a difference between collecting "stuff" and having clutter. If everything has a place, but there is really too much of it, you are a pack rat. If clutter is everywhere and placed on every flat surface with no rhyme or reason, you could potentially have a hoarding problem.

• 2

  Ask yourself how the clutter in your house makes you feel. A mild sense of uneasiness when thinking about all the collections you have is generally a symptom of a pack rat; hoarders are often quite comfortable when surrounded by all their belongings.

• 3

  Think about how the stuff in your house affects your daily life. If drawers, closets and storage areas are full, but the multitude of items does not bother day-to-day household functions, you are most likely a pack rat. When the clutter around the house keeps you from finding anything, completing daily activities or even sitting on the couch, however, you may have a problem that is more serious.