There is a subset of people with OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) who are not well-described in the literature. Much is known about compulsive cleaning and compulsive hoarding, but not much is known about the other end of this spectrum- compulsive decluttering.
Compulsive decluttering, also known as obsessive compulsive spartanism and clutter phobia, is when people have severe anxiety when they accumulate stuff, and have to get rid of almost everything they own in order to have the anxiety go away. This is in contrast to compulsive hoarding, where people can’t get rid of stuff for fear of throwing out something important or fear of feeling incomplete.
For people with compulsive decluttering, they have the anxiety that they can feel in their gut about having too much stuff around, or have the fear that they are being overcrowded or smothered by stuff. So to relieve this anxiety and uncomfortable feeling, they have to get rid of stuff, to the point where almost everything is discarded or recycled out of their home. In addition, people with compulsive decluttering will buy the furniture or object they discarded, only to have them discarded again after their usefulness is outweighed by their anxiety in keeping it. And this discard/rebuy cycle can occur repeatedly.
Compulsive decluttering is similar to compulsive cleaning, a common compulsion seen in OCD. Compulsive decluttering is also on the opposite spectrum of compulsive hoarding, and people can end up anywhere on that spectrum. But compulsive decluttering becomes problematic when you spend all your time and energy getting rid of stuff, and having to spend enormous amounts of money to buy the same objects back again, only to get rid of them when the anxiety builds back up when keeping too many objects around.
Compulsive decluttering is treatable, as it is a form of OCD. Learn more about compulsive decluttering and other anxiety problems by visiting the rest of AnxietyBoss.com.
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kellie says
January 31, 2018 at 11:45 pmya preaching to the choir !!!
Dr. Carlo says
February 5, 2018 at 12:19 amAmen!
Molly Wickham says
April 20, 2018 at 11:13 amI didn’t realise that other people had this problem! After my husband died, I gave away everything I didn’t really need, am left with the basics of life! Can’t bear to have over full food cupboards, and realised how stressed I’ve become. I still order the same food and discard it because I no longer want to cook. Glad to read this article, so will try to get things in perspective!
Dr. Carlo says
April 22, 2018 at 4:03 amDear Molly, glad the article was helpful, and thanks for visiting!
jon says
August 10, 2018 at 1:32 pmI have been doing that for many years and finally on meds and that is the most powerful habit to overcome and doing well but habits do take over and a mix of GAD and OCD with compulsive decluttering of things.
Dr. Carlo says
August 10, 2018 at 7:15 pmThanks for sharing, and glad you got it treated.
Terry says
November 27, 2018 at 10:36 amMy way to stop is to stop buying more stuff. For years I thought my place had to have all the things others said was normal to have. So I went out over and over to fix myself by getting stuff. I’d keep for a very short time and either give away or leave it for hoarders to pick up in the alley. Now I understand that I can’t get rid of stuff if I don’t have it.
Dr. Carlo says
November 27, 2018 at 11:32 pmThanks for sharing Terry.
Terry says
November 28, 2018 at 9:40 amI own just my clothes now and some books, but ive recently decided that the books need to go. So I’ll have my clothes and toiletries. I’m thinking of getting a food Mat to sleep on, but I’ve done that two times already and ended up giving them away. I’m thinking also of getting my own tablet or phone so I have a way to communicate with the outside world. On top of this OCS, I also have trouble going outside. Agoraphobia. Thanks for the site. I’ll keep reading what you put up. Peace to you.
Terry
Dr. Carlo says
November 28, 2018 at 11:49 pmDear Terry, I hope you can also address the agoraphobia. Good luck, and thanks for visiting.