Resources for Specific Challenges
Chronic Disorganization (CD). Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD or ADHD). Anxiety. Hoarding behaviors. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Depression. Packrat. Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD). There are lots of terms for disorder as well as causes of clutter. Most of these can only be diagnosed by a trained mental health specialist. Below is some basic information written by a layperson.
Attention Disorders impact someone's ability to focus or maintain attention on organization-related tasks. Understanding the characteristics of someone affected by ADHD can The Minding Your Matters® ADHD Organizing Resource Sheet might be helpful for those who recognize their ADHD characteristics and want organizing strategies that use their areas of strength.
Anxiety Disorders cause people to feel distressed, uneasy or frightened for no apparent reason. Common diagnoses in this category which impact the ability to get and stay organized might include Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Post Traumatic Stress (PTSD) and Panic Disorders. The free Organizing For Those With Anxiety & Personality Challenges Minding Your Matters® Resource Sheet might be useful.
Chronic Disorganization is characterized by longevity and pervasiveness in disorganization. Specific criteria and strategies for managing chronic disorganization can be found on our resource page.
Hoarding Behaviors include "(1) the acquisition of, and failure to discard, a large number of possessions that appear to be of useless or of limited value; (2) living spaces sufficiently cluttered so as to preclude activities for which those spaces were designed; and (3) significant distress or impairment in functioning caused by the hoarding." (Frost & Hartl, 1996). Minding Your Matters® has created two free resource sheets as a reference for hoarding behaviors: Organizing For Those With Hoarding Behaviors and Helping Someone With Hoarding Behaviors.
Mood Disorders occur when there are disturbances of mood for a period of time. Common diagnoses in this category which impact the ability to get and stay organized might include Bi-polar Disorder (BPD), Clinical Depression, Postpartum Disorders and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). The free Organizing For Those With Mood Disorders Minding Your Matters® Resource Sheet is coming soon.
Personality Disorders cause people to have great difficulty dealing with others. Common diagnoses in this category which impact the ability to get and stay organized might include Paranoid Personality Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD), Antisocial Personality Disorder and Dependent Personality Disorder. The free Organizing For Those With Anxiety & Personality Challenges Minding Your Matters® Resource Sheet might be useful.