The Difference Between Hoarders & Collectors

A devoted collector resembles a hoarder in some ways, but distinct traits set the two apart. Hoarders typically suffer from anxiety related to throwing things away, while collectors focus on obtaining specific items which have some value to them. Hoarders may appear to be disorganized or lazy and their hoarding may create a living space that is too cluttered to be used effectively, while collectors are generally highly meticulous about organizing their collections.

Focus

• Hoarders are often unable to organize anything, including their own wardrobes.

  Collectors typically collect specific objects, such as comic books, video games or shoes. While collecting can take up too much space and strain the collector's budget, it is still a focused endeavor and rare or valuable pieces are often a prominent part of a collection. The objects a hoarder retains need not have value or conform to a conscious plan; these items may include old newspapers, mail or food packaging of which the hoarder is unable to dispose. In extreme cases of hoarding, even items like shed hair and fingernail clippings may collect and clutter the hoarder's home.

Organization

• A toy collector stores his collection in a neat, organized display.

  Collectors often avoid the clutter and lack of space typical of a hoarder. Even large collections that take up multiple rooms and sizable amounts of space are often meticulously organized and placed out of the way. While a hoarder's boxes and newspapers may be stacked in a disorderly fashion in the middle of a room, a collector's magazines or rare books are usually arranged neatly upon shelves. The disorganized nature of hoarding may even lead to so much clutter that the hoarder's home becomes an impassable maze of hoarded junk. In some extreme cases, hoarders have even been found dead in their homes, surrounded by many tons of garbage.

Care

• Wine collectors control temperature, light, humidity and even motion very carefully.

  Collectors devote great care to preservation. The collection may be housed on high shelving to avoid damage from pets or children, individual components may be stored inside protective casings, and the rooms that house the objects may be highly controlled to provide the optimal temperature, humidity and light levels to keep the collection in optimal condition. Hoarders often keep their valuables haphazardly alongside less valuable or unsanitary items. They lack the organizational habits to store their things in a safe environment; books may be piled where they can become dirty or damaged, and jewelry may be kept with dirty clothes.

Control

• A hoarder's disorganization can also affect his work space, jeopardizing his job.

  Collectors often lead full and engaging social lives. Even though they may appear somewhat beholden to their passion for collecting, collectors still maintain control over their hobbies and their lives in general. Hoarders lack control over their hoarding and, consequently, over their lives in general. Their disorganization prevents them from keeping track of bills, and they are too embarrassed to invite company into their homes. The obsessive-compulsive behavior associated with hoarding can cause social anxiety and interfere with a hoarder's ability to keep a job.