Hoarding, Executive Functioning and Perfectionism: What's the link?

4 minute read

This week marks the 11th National Hoarding Awareness Week. Since it began in 2014, the aim has been to get people talking about hoarding disorder—what it is, how it affects lives, and how we can support those dealing with it. The goal? To break down the stigma and help people feel more comfortable reaching out for help.

Today's blog explores this year's theme of "Executive Functioning"—basically, the brain's way of managing day-to-day stuff like planning, decision-making, and staying on top of things. It is written by two APDO members specialising in the area of hoarding behaviour, Kat Band and Marie Bateson. 

Perfectionism and Executive Functioning: Two Sides of the Same Coin?

Perfectionism and executive functioning are closely linked - consider them as “cognitive cousins”. Struggles with perfectionism can make it harder to get things done, while difficulties with executive functioning can lead to feelings of inadequacy, fuelling perfectionist tendencies. It's a bit of a vicious cycle. So, it makes complete sense for us to explore the subject of perfectionism to further shine a light on ways to support those with hoarding-based behaviours. 

So, What's Perfectionism All About?

Perfectionism isn't just about having high standards. It's more about being overly critical of yourself and worrying excessively about making mistakes or not meeting expectations. Early studies on hoarding found a clear link between the behaviour and perfectionism, especially something called “maladaptive evaluative concern.”. What that really boils down to, is being seriously stressed about the prospect of making mistakes. 

Psychologists Paul Hewitt and Gordon Flett identified three types of perfectionism:

• Self-oriented perfectionism: Setting unrealistically high standards for yourself.
• Other-oriented perfectionism: Expecting others to meet your high standards.
• Socially- prescribed perfectionism: Believing others expect you to be perfect. 

In the context of hoarding, perfectionism can manifest as a fear of not organising things "just right,", leading to procrastination and avoidance. Many clients we've worked with don't necessarily use the word "perfect,", but they'll say they want to do things the "right" way. The key is understanding that there's no "right" way—it's about finding what works for each individual.

Ask yourself this - have you ever felt so afraid of not being perfect that you’d rather not even start a task? Likely most of us have at some point. Common struggles could be a piece of written work, maybe schoolwork or a talk, or perhaps reorganising our homes.  

With hoarding, procrastination can often come from the fear of not being able to organise everything just right—so you think, “Why even bother if I can’t do it perfectly?”  We have both heard this so often in the course of our careers.  What we need to strongly reinforce is that there is no perfect or ‘rightRight’ way to organise.  

Childhood Influences: Where It All Begins

Let’s consider for a moment what causes some folk to be bogged down by perfectionism.  Our upbringing plays a significant role in shaping perfectionist tendencies. Attachment theory suggests that children with unresponsive or inconsistently responsive parents may develop insecure attachment styles, leading them to see others as untrustworthy or incapable of providing them with support. This perception can also lead to the self-belief that they are fragile or broken, increasing the chances of intense negative emotions and perfectionistic behaviours developing. 

So essentially, children who receive inconsistent or conditional love may grow up believing they need to be perfect to be accepted. Comments like "I expect you to get straight A's" can reinforce the idea that love, and approval are tied to achievement.  In the same way, a lack of affection or support can lead children to believe they must be perfect to earn love. This belief often continues into adulthood - that a failure to achieve perfection equates to unworthiness of love and acceptance. 

Sibling comparisons can also contribute. Being labelled "the smart one" or "the good one" can create pressure to maintain that image, leading to fear of failure and avoidance of tasks where success isn't guaranteed. 

The Perfectionism-Hoarding Cycle

Perfectionism often leads to an all-or-nothing mindset:

• "If I can't do it perfectly, I won't do it at all."
• "Even when I try my best, I don't get the love and acceptance I need."
• "If I'm not receiving love, I must not be perfect."

This cycle can lead individuals to convince themselves that not trying and avoiding tasks altogether, means they can’t fail. In hoarding, this might look like avoiding decluttering because of the fear of making the wrong decision, leading to the accumulation of items over time. 

The Upsides and Downsides of Perfectionism 

Some view perfectionism as a drive for excellence and achievement, motivating individuals to set high goals and strive for quality in their work. However, perfectionism can also lead to chronic dissatisfaction, anxiety, and burnout. The pressure to be perfect can instil a fear of failure so intense that individuals avoid taking risks or trying new things altogether. 

Coping Strategies 

1. Challenge Negative Thoughts: Recognise and question "all or nothing" thinking. Instead of believing you must be perfect, consider what "good enough" looks like. 
2. Set Realistic Goals: Break larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps. Celebrate progress rather than waiting for perfection. Open up the space in your home slowly.
3. Practice Self-Compassion: Treat yourself with kindness and understanding when things don't go as planned. Accept that everyone makes mistakes. 
4. Embrace Imperfection: View mistakes as opportunities for growth and learning. Better done than perfect!

Understanding perfectionism is vital because it helps us recognise its impact on our lives and how we relate to ourselves and others. It's a common struggle, but it's important to remember that a little imperfection is not only okay, it's actually essential for personal growth. If an individual fears failure, the understanding taken from this blogBlog, can help guide them away from this blockage. 

The key is finding a balance that allows people to strive for ‘their’ excellence without letting the fear of imperfection hold them back. 

Evidence-Based Interventions 

Cognitive -Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is currently considered the standard evidence-based treatment for hoarding disorder. This therapy aims to modify emotions, cognitions, and behaviours related to hoarding. Incorporating CBT techniques can provide practical strategies for managing perfectionistic tendencies and improving executive functioning. 

And finally…

By understanding the intricate relationship between hoarding behaviours, executive functioning, and perfectionism, we can develop more effective strategies to support individuals facing these challenges. Through awareness, compassion, and evidence-based interventions, it's possible to break the cycle and foster healthier habits and mindsets.

If you would like to find a specialist professional to support you with your decluttering and organising, use APDO's Find an Organiser service and search under the specialisms tab for a hoarding behaviour specialist.