Clutterer Statistics, Psychological Profile Of Clutterers
(Based on group attendance and an online survey of more than 1,000 respondents).
Instead of letting people call you a messie, slob, packrat, cluterbug or some other derogatory word, find out who we clutterers really are. There are psychological reasons for our cluttering, including depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), attention deficit disorder (ADD or AD/HD) and just plain fear and procrastination.
Psychological Profile
Are, or have been in therapy |
46% |
|
Felt therapy helped understand & change cluttering behavior. |
74% |
|
Referred by therapist to support meetings (where applicable) |
38% |
|
Have anxiety, especially when dealing with clutter |
37% |
|
Consider themselves depressed much of the time |
24% |
|
Attention Deficit Disorder (While Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is the correct diagnosis, few clutterers exhibit the hyperactivity aspect). |
Self-diagnosis of tendencies |
Diagnosed |
22% |
4% |
|
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder |
5% |
1% |
In 12-Step Group |
18% |
|
Changes After Attending 6 months or more of Clutterless Support Groups
(Obviously, this was based on a much smaller universe, since there are few meetings nationwide. Not all attendees stick it out, expecting some miracle cure, or they find out they don't want to do the inner work necessary to change their behavior. For those who have attended meetings on a regular basis (and we have about 60 who do), the results are significant. We have a core of about 20 who have attended meetings for two or more years. Some have been able to move into new houses, and keep them decluttered. One even had an open house, with dozens of friends invited.
Began therapy |
23% |
||
Feel the combination of therapy & meetings helps |
Very much |
Somewhat |
No opinion |
73% |
19% |
8% |
|
Feel more in control of their lives |
81% |
16% |
3% |
Feel their depression and anxiety bouts less severe |
63% |
30% |
7% |
Demographic Profile
Female |
78% |
Male |
22% |
In a relationship |
37% |
Personality Profile
Procrastinate |
90% |
Battle vague fears when facing clutter. |
63% |
Feel cluttering has affected ability to have relationship with another person |
64% |
Indecisive |
51% |
Feel cluttering has affected them professionally |
34% |
Clutterless Recovery Groups Inc. has no affiliation with any church, denomination or sect. We have no opinion on therapy or medications. For some of us, they are solutions that work. Others of us may not feel like we need them. We respect therapists and work with them when asked.
We are officially a nonprofit corporation, incorporated in Texas, founded in 2000. There are no dues or fees for attendance at meetings. We have meetings where members may interact with other clutterers and learn ways to deal with the limitations their own clutter is causing in their lives. Anyone with the desire to change and overcome their clutter can be a member. Our only tradition is that of anonymity. What someone says in a meeting stays there. We offer a safe place to hear and be heard.
Are You One of Us?
Not everyone who is a little messy is a clutterer. The quiz make can help you decide if you are a real clutterer, a hoarder, or just a normal person who needs to improve your organizational skills.