Easy Signs To Determine OCD and Hoarding Behaviour In Your Partner?

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They pay too much attention to their things, they can tell you where things are even in a giant heap.

Can OCD and hoarding go hand in hand! The answer is yes! Please read below and see if any of these sound familiar. Also note, clearly defining a person is difficult without consultation from a licensed professional. I advise that you be kind when sharing your concerns with you partner. Most of us need help in one area of life or another. Kindness and empathy is important to ensure people consider the advice wholeheartedly.

They never want to get rid of anything. Everything can be re-purposed, even a cardboard box. When the hoarder does decide to discard something, They insist on bringing it to your attention. A person without this disorder just discards items without making any mention of it.

They have attachments to things and getting rid of it means letting a part of themselves go. It’s extremely hard for them to sell items. Because they place higher values on their things than others would. Besides, they always can find use for it or may need it down the road. They are more than happy to help YOU get rid of YOUR things. Even helping you sell it. However, mere mention of their stuff and the possibility of selling it or donating; they become anxious, raise their voice, become stressed and sometimes even angry.

• The get frustrated when people move things and don’t place back where they found it. If you load the dishwasher and it looks like a dish was placed incorrectly, this person would be prompt to fix it. The OCD in them makes it a common theme to fix things back the way they like it. Like the placement of the window blinds, the thermostat, the toothbrush must always be in the same exact place etc…

• OCD can cause an insatiable need to protect material things, such as; furniture, ex; use of coasters. These are the people who move your plate before you have even finished eating. Or tell you that you are not doing something correctly and their way is better.

• The OCD person has a tendency to keep things put away and locked up tight. They sometimes get stressed seeing that other people don’t put things away neatly or orderly. And if you borrow and item be sure to give it back the way it was given to you. With OCD/ hoarding persons you likely will not be borrowing their items because they are very distrustful that others can care for their items the way they do. They usually find it difficult to share as well, often times buying more than needed and then unwilling to share with others.

Often People who try to buy up more than they could use, are fearful and consumed with the notion that there will not be enough.

• An OCD individual will notice small details, like the car being moved and not parked perfectly. A decorative object being out of place. They may also obsess over getting task done, writing list, and enjoy mundane task like changing lightbulbs, filters, making sure proper household duties are performed. This leads to the compulsive behaviors that can really drain them, because they won’t let people just do the job, or relegate responsibility to anyone else. For example, telling others how to do something properly and then stepping in to do it. These people can become very stressed out.Making them hard to live with. They may even take things a step further making literal signs reminding people living with or visiting to take off your shoes, or hang your coat in its designated spot. 

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If you find yourself with a partner who is experiencing OCD and some form of hoarding understanding that you cannot change them is important. The OCD and hoarding person can usually find it hard to live amongst others because other people to them are not disciplined enough to play by their rules making the relationship extremely tiresome even for some of the most patient people. 

There are many other signs I may have ignored for now, but these are a few to give you a taste of what it would be like living with this person. It is not for the faint of heart. It take a person with a tremendous amount of respect, patience and love to cultivate a relationship and then reside with an OCD/ Hoarder.

One other major point I’d like to make is that a hoarder DOES NOT! need to be a person who keeps acquiring items but can be someone who can’t let go of items. So, keep an eye on your loved ones and when they start having more attachment to things rather than relationships. It may be time to have them seek help from a good licensed therapist.

It is important to seek help. OCD/Hoarding is costly to relationships. People struggle to stick around.

Re-Charging To Create Mindfulness

Read below to learn how Re-Charging to Create Mindfulness Works.

When it comes to space we all know that there is plenty of it around us, even space we can’t explain like dark matter. Scientifically everything possesses energy so it can be overwhelming to some when they find themselves surrounded by people all the time. This energy output all the time drains us as humans. Everything in life holds energy. Therefore, how we use our energy and what we use it on matters. Whether it is at work or at home. We all need time for ourselves, to create mindfulness. This is why meditation is important. We can all benefit from taking 5 minutes to practice mindfulness starting today.

Here are a few ideas on how to get started today. 

1. Create a corner or area that is not cluttered. A space that is clean will help you clear your mind. You don’t need to re-create anything you see on Pinterest to begin. There is no need for fancy candles, an ottoman, nothing. If you want your space to be decked out that is fine but, note, that this can be practiced without anything fancy. Choose a space in your home or office you find relaxing.

2. Engage your senses, like play relaxing noises that appeal to you. You can choose rain, and nature sounds these are very soothing to the mind, body, and spirit. If you are practicing this is nature then the way to go! that makes it even better. If you are in nature the scents and smells of trees will do. If you are inside, sprinkle a drop or two of essential oil like lavender around to help engage your sense of smell. Whatever scent pleases you. Make sure your space doesn’t smell awful, this creates a terrible distraction.

3. Make sure you are comfy or sitting comfortably. Don’t choose a surface that is not relaxing to you. A hard surface is not comfortable, and neither is something that is too fluffy that it leaves you unbalanced.

4. Use this time to clear all the negative thoughts out of your head. Then fill your mind with good feelings and if possible try not to even think. Clearing the mind is like hitting a  reset button.

5. Don’t be afraid to breathe really loudly. I used to go to a yoga class where this old guy used to grunt and make really loud sounds! too bad I was young an immature and didn’t know the benefits to this. Sometimes we think the grunting noises are weird but think of it as emptying our body of bad feelings.

6. If clearing your mind is hard to do, a cool trick is to focus on your breathing. Focusing on your breathing is creating mindfulness to your breath.

 

There are a bunch of sites that pertain to meditation but please note there are many ways to do this. And no one way is 100% correct. Find out your meditation techniques by trial an error. If something, doesn’t work for you then don’t do it. I used to find laying on my back really uncomfortable and stupid especially in a room full of strangers. So, I simply don’t do it.  Once, you have found a rhythm that works, stick to that!

There are people who suck our energy the moment they come by. It is important that you don’t let others completely suck your energy. Especially if you are not recharging.  If we can’t re-charge ourselves then we are like that iPhone that is about to die and can’t find a charger around. Ya, really sends some people into a panic if their phones die. Treat your body the same way. IF you are constantly set on go you will eventually burn out. That’s why it feels so good to have downtime. Including getting some good nights sleep and eating foods that provide a good source of energy.

Although this information clearly is not new to most.  It can be looked at as more relevant today than our predecessors which had fewer distractions and less technology sucking our time and energy. When you feel better people around you will too!