Is not willing to throw things a disease

Not willing to throw things is not necessarily a disease, but if accompanied by strong anxiety or affecting normal life, it may be a manifestation of hoarding disorder. Hoarding disorder is a psychological disorder characterized by excessive collection of items, difficulty in discarding them, and encroachment on living space. To determine whether it belongs to a disease, a comprehensive evaluation should be conducted based on behavioral motivation, emotional reactions, and the degree of social dysfunction.

Ordinary nostalgic or frugal behavior usually does not lead to life troubles. Many people keep items for emotional connection, practical considerations, or environmental protection concepts, which belong to the normal psychological category. The key lies in whether the item is still within a controllable range and whether there is slight discomfort rather than extreme pain when discarded. Moderate organization habits or preferences for specific items often reflect an individual's lifestyle rather than pathological manifestations. When hoarding behavior continues to worsen, it may constitute a psychological disorder. Typical features include room passages being blocked by objects, important areas being unusable, and safety hazards caused by accumulation. Patients often have decision-making difficulties, perfectionism tendencies, and physiological reactions such as palpitations and sweating when discarding items. This type of situation requires professional psychological intervention, and the combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy and medication may improve symptoms.

Distinguishing between normal retention and pathological hoarding requires observing the emotional mechanisms behind the behavior. It is recommended to make a preliminary judgment by recording the feeling of discarding items and evaluating the utilization rate of household space. If there is persistent strong resistance when attempting to organize, or if this affects interpersonal relationships and work efficiency, timely psychological counseling should be sought. For diagnosed patients, gradual behavioral training combined with supportive therapy can effectively alleviate symptoms.