Hoarding disorder (HD) is associated with severe levels of functional impairment. Individuals with HD report higher levels of disability in various daily activities compared with non-pathological collectors. As such, HD may adversely impact health-related quality of life (QoL) in psychical and psychological domains. HD is associated with decision-making impairment, deficits in basic cognitive function, emotional dysregulation & intolerance, and behavioral avoidance. Such impairments may interfere with desired goal achievements.

Moreover, clutter may reduce usable living space, thus physically interfering with daily activities or resulting in diminished social contact.

Symptoms include: Excessively acquiring items that are not needed, a persistent difficulty throwing out or parting with things, feeling a need to save items, being upset by the thought of discarding items, obtaining clutter to the point where rooms become unusable, a tendency toward indecisiveness, perfectionism, avoidance, procrastination, problems with planning, and organizing.