A pack rat is a small rodent that collects found objects to build its nest. Among humans, it refers to a person who has a hard time throwing anything away. Hoarding can be a sign of mental illness and can cause serious health and social problems. Organized individuals find space to store their belongings in one place, while hoarders store things all over the house. When hoarding gets out of control, it can have serious consequences. Some people prefer the term “collector” to avoid the hoarding stigma. Community education programs offer classes on organizing homes.
The definition of a pack rat largely depends on one’s point of view. In the wild, it is a small rodent that lives communally, in large nests called mounds, and collects found objects to help build the nest. Among humans, this term is used for a person who keeps everything and has a hard time throwing anything away.
Most people who consider themselves pack rats hate throwing things out for fear they may be needed in the future. However, this type of behavior can be practiced in greater or lesser extremes; one person may find it difficult to throw things away but still be able to maintain a clean and well-organized home, while another may quickly lose control. Horde can be a sign of mental illness and can cause serious health and social problems.
The main problem for a pack rat is what to do with all the stuff it hoards. Organized individuals usually find space to store their belongings in one place and may be able to keep the amount of stuff they have at a controlled level. Hoarders and other disorganized people usually store things all over the house: any flat surface becomes a closet, whether it’s the dining room table or an ironing board.
When hoarding behavior gets out of control, it can have serious consequences. Friends and family may avoid the person’s home, as it is full of belongings; the individual may also be reluctant to invite people out for fear they might discover the seriousness of the problem. Eventually, the sheer amount of stuff can allow it to become a breeding ground for insects and rodents, and mold and mildew could grow on buried items that have gotten damp. Individuals who keep animals often cannot care for them, which leads to not cleaning them or disposing of their waste.
The term “pack rat” often has unflattering connotations, and some people prefer names like “collector” to avoid the hoarding stigma. Ideally, this person should make an effort to keep only the things that are really important, throw out the debris, and maybe have a yard sale every now and then. Some community education programs offer one-day classes on organizing closets and homes, and these can be helpful if the level of clutter is becoming unmanageable.
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