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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

My parter is hoarding and I’ve had enough of him, I’m not sure how to fix this!

767 replies

Rainbow03 · 27/09/2024 07:05

So long story short he moved from his house into mine with ALL is stuff as I became pregnant. His is rented out. I just want to say he is a good man but when it comes to this he is incredibly selfish.!

He has a giant shed, a garage, a large outside storage box, most the loft, his van is now a shed, half the spare room and drawers and cupboards every where stuffed full of shit so that I can’t use the house. I’ve repeatedly told him he needs to start getting rid of it because it’s not fair. I’m having to sell my stuff , I can’t store any of the kids stuff so now all the bedrooms are getting piles. He just can’t stop bringing stuff in. His face is like a child’s when he brings stuff he is so incredibly happy and it’s making me so incredibly unhappy. I want his stuff gone!!! I’m at a point in telling him that if that includes him also because he can’t be without it then so be it.

What do I do? I can’t stand all this stuff anymore, I want space, I want to store stuff. He doesn’t touch any of it, it’s just there taking room doing nothing.

OP posts:
redboxer321 · 02/10/2024 20:48

The hoard - how much of it there is, what it is, where it is stored - the issues behind the hoard are just some problems among many sadly. Losing your shit on many occasions is another. Do you really think your kids aren't affected by this, whether they witness it or not?

Rainbow03 · 02/10/2024 21:32

redboxer321 · 02/10/2024 20:48

The hoard - how much of it there is, what it is, where it is stored - the issues behind the hoard are just some problems among many sadly. Losing your shit on many occasions is another. Do you really think your kids aren't affected by this, whether they witness it or not?

Yes I’ve got enough to deal with in my life with complicated human relationships I don’t have time for his stuff. His stuff takes up too much space in the relationship as it is. Ridiculous.

OP posts:
IlooklikeNigella · 03/10/2024 06:53

OP I can relate to so much of what you've said.

My partner is a hoarder. He would take anything and everything from skips, fill every room, area with 'collections' of things, useless crap. The house and my life was a constant overwhelming feeling of trying to hold him back, keep a bit of space for me and our DC.

The accusatory posters here have no idea what it's like because you initially think that getting it tidied /sorted once and for all with some rules will solve the problem but it keeps happening.

By the way I now have a lovely clean, clear house AND my partner so it can be done.

I don't have a magic wand. It was a long complicated process about so much more. In fact 'stuff' was rarely mentioned. He had a breakdown and received treatment for mental illness. I was in one session with him and he brought up himself living in a previous apartment and when he went to move he was trying to organise transport. His friend was helping him and said he wasn't taking all the paper. He didn't realise how strange it was that he trying to move old newspapers. Apparently they were stacked up to the roof despite him having only one room to live in. We later started couples counselling when he was less fragile then he went to therapy alone. I believe he unpicked a lot from his childhood. He continues therapy for his anxiety when he needs it.

No amount of anger, systems, rules, pleading from you will work here. He has to get to the root of his anxiety and trauma. I'd suggest counselling to him on the grounds that you're considering breaking up the family. This is only a symptom.

I'm really sorry you're going through this. I had a life threatening illness for the first two years of my DC life. I took further years to feel physically well. I can relate to the guilt about letting them down.

I hope you find a way through this and can enjoy your family and home. Feel free to PM me.

Rainbow03 · 03/10/2024 08:08

@IlooklikeNigella that’s just sounds so very sad. It really is a sad situation. I had a breakdown myself when I left my marriage. I was so overwhelmed that I no longer knew who I was or where I was, it was very scary. I’ve come along way since then. He has helped me a great deal and I suppose I feel like I owe him because he’s helped me get through some really tough things. He has never passed judgment on me when I’ve broken down, he’s only just been here doing the best he can. The only issue is he won’t let me help him. I can see he needs help but unlike me he won’t accept it. I knew I needed to change as I was suffering PTSD years ago. He is blind. Let’s hope his friend can persuade him.

OP posts:
SquirrelMadness · 03/10/2024 17:15

Rainbow03 · 02/10/2024 17:46

If it doesn’t then there is no future for us but at least I can say I did my absolute best to try and keep the family together. It’s a shame that I’m the one who has to do the pushing but I accept that if he is ND then it does need to be me because he won’t see the issue outright.

OP I think it's worth considering for yourself what your red lines are. At what point will you decide you need to leave? When he's starting to leave stuff in the living room? When he's filling up the kitchen and preventing you from cooking? When he's starting to put things in the kids bedrooms? At what point will you decide "enough is enough" and either leave or at least live in two separate houses? You say this isn't happening yet, but it could happen and you need to have a plan.

I'm not asking you to answer here, I'm suggesting you decide this for yourself and write it down. Make yourself a promise. Tell your friends, tell a therapist. Because this is likely to get worse and your both yourself and your kids deserve to live in a clean, functional tidy house. So ask yourself, if your current strategy of trying to persuade him to get help and change fails, what is your plan B?

I don't know why you're focusing on whether he is ND. He's not listening to you because he has hoarding disorder. Whether he is neuro divergent is irrelevant.

Chillilounger · 03/10/2024 21:23

He needs. Move out. It's not fair on you or the baby and only a matter of time before it's hard to clean etc and that brings a whole other host of issues. Clear boundaries. If he wants to move back he gets help and gets rid.

Zahariel · 04/10/2024 09:04

Rainbow03 · 02/10/2024 16:54

I have been very open with him and he has even before meeting me made suggestions to my partner that he needs to seek help for his anxiety around his things. He knows exactly what is happening. I sent him photos the other day of the shed and garage.

I'm sure you have I just mean reading through this will be enlightening for your friend.

Then print it and give it to your partner to read.

PeggyMitchellsCameo · 08/10/2024 07:13

How are you getting on OP?

Elleherd · 08/10/2024 13:10

Sorry this is a huge post!

Only read your posts and those quoted within them. You're living with the reality you where warned about. You updated after 13 months (someone bumped it) to say he'd chucked loads and you felt 'it was just he didn't know what to chuck or not, and all his anxiety had gone away.' I advised then he needed focus on his MH regardless. You now say he brought it ALL with him.
One of those statements wasn't correct. (I don't need to know which) One way or another you are seeking approval with your descriptions of him and your choices.
All that time's gone - he could have been closer to acceptance and help by now, rather than now being threatened with losing living with his DD after the event.

As a hoarder with a fair amount of insight into my maladaptive behaviors, I warned it was unlikely he'd 'cured' himself overnight and issues would re emerge.You chose to not hear or see those things that didn't suit what you wanted. Perfectly understandable, but you need to look at why do you do that.
Look at yourself, as much as him, if you want anything other than him just gone.

I'm years on battling this wretched condition that I've learnt a lot about and actively loathe having. At this point I work on it almost every day, yet progress is still hard and slow, and there's no quick fixes.
I'm an organized clean hoarder, removed as a child from a squalor hoard, eventually. I managed my condition for years to stop it impacting on my children the way my parent impacted on mine, yet one Dc (ND) developed it anyway.

If the symptoms of HD aren't managed it becomes a CP issue. The same is true of the symptoms of CFS and many mental and physical health conditions. Parenting round it can be done, many are doing it daily, but you can't have it all.

You need to start looking at yourself as having issues rather than as a victim of others, in order to move forwards, especially to provide your older DD with the consistent home life she needs. Start with help for your own issues, they are the easiest for you to do something about, and will give you more clarity over him.

I can predict that otherwise you'll now be drawn to see any signs of progress 'the friend' makes, as being the latest solution to 'him as the problem.' It won't be. He may do all sorts under 'friend's' lead, as he did previously under yours. All that's being dealt with is symptoms, and is temporary. It doesn't fix very deep issues manifesting in symptoms of 'attachment to stuff' to the detriment of normal living.

You're carrying your own damage,issues and guilt, which is why you flip flop between 'he's wonderful, he's dependable, he's a great dad and step dad, he stands by you, he does tasks for others without complaint, the stuffs only in the shed, the stuff is everywhere, he's awful, he'd be perfect if only he didn't have hoarding disorder or be ND, or follow his mothers lead, display childishness' etc.

He isn't the different man you want him to be, and even if he manages to understand his own issues, you'll still be dealing with (possible) ND, and hoarding tendencies in one way or another in him, whatever the relationship status because he's fathered one of your Dc's.

You've talked about what you need, and I more than understand. But, it's you who's made choices that mean you can't have all the things you believe you need to be happy and a good parent.
You didn't chose a disabling condition, (neither did he) but you know you have to learn how to live with it and it's difficulties regardless. (typed from wheelchair)

He also has a disabling condition that he can't just fix, anymore than you can just fix your CFS if he wanted you to stop having the symptoms of it.

You have a fundamentally decent man in terms of what he will do and will provide for others, with a host of serious issues that may or may not mean you can't live with him. You dislike his parents, who are one of your DC's grandparents. (not unusual) He's not ready to seek help.

But, you feel sure you can't live and parent independently either physically or financially and say you feel trapped because you have now realized that everything you were warned about is true, but he brings all these other things to the relationship that you want and need. The goldfish grows to the size of it's bowl and always wants/needs a bigger one. That's both of you.

Without being too horrible, the chances of you finding another man who wants a mature dependent disabled partner with two children with two different fathers are low. So if you really can't parent independently, you have to look at where you actually are in life and take responsibility for your decisions, rather than saying others not doing that over theirs, are your biggest issue.

I know how harsh I will sound, please believe me it isn't meant that way at all. Wake up, look at what you do have, stop looking for simple solutions to complicated issues. Decide what matters most. As before I wish you luck.

Rainbow03 · 08/10/2024 13:41

Elleherd · 08/10/2024 13:10

Sorry this is a huge post!

Only read your posts and those quoted within them. You're living with the reality you where warned about. You updated after 13 months (someone bumped it) to say he'd chucked loads and you felt 'it was just he didn't know what to chuck or not, and all his anxiety had gone away.' I advised then he needed focus on his MH regardless. You now say he brought it ALL with him.
One of those statements wasn't correct. (I don't need to know which) One way or another you are seeking approval with your descriptions of him and your choices.
All that time's gone - he could have been closer to acceptance and help by now, rather than now being threatened with losing living with his DD after the event.

As a hoarder with a fair amount of insight into my maladaptive behaviors, I warned it was unlikely he'd 'cured' himself overnight and issues would re emerge.You chose to not hear or see those things that didn't suit what you wanted. Perfectly understandable, but you need to look at why do you do that.
Look at yourself, as much as him, if you want anything other than him just gone.

I'm years on battling this wretched condition that I've learnt a lot about and actively loathe having. At this point I work on it almost every day, yet progress is still hard and slow, and there's no quick fixes.
I'm an organized clean hoarder, removed as a child from a squalor hoard, eventually. I managed my condition for years to stop it impacting on my children the way my parent impacted on mine, yet one Dc (ND) developed it anyway.

If the symptoms of HD aren't managed it becomes a CP issue. The same is true of the symptoms of CFS and many mental and physical health conditions. Parenting round it can be done, many are doing it daily, but you can't have it all.

You need to start looking at yourself as having issues rather than as a victim of others, in order to move forwards, especially to provide your older DD with the consistent home life she needs. Start with help for your own issues, they are the easiest for you to do something about, and will give you more clarity over him.

I can predict that otherwise you'll now be drawn to see any signs of progress 'the friend' makes, as being the latest solution to 'him as the problem.' It won't be. He may do all sorts under 'friend's' lead, as he did previously under yours. All that's being dealt with is symptoms, and is temporary. It doesn't fix very deep issues manifesting in symptoms of 'attachment to stuff' to the detriment of normal living.

You're carrying your own damage,issues and guilt, which is why you flip flop between 'he's wonderful, he's dependable, he's a great dad and step dad, he stands by you, he does tasks for others without complaint, the stuffs only in the shed, the stuff is everywhere, he's awful, he'd be perfect if only he didn't have hoarding disorder or be ND, or follow his mothers lead, display childishness' etc.

He isn't the different man you want him to be, and even if he manages to understand his own issues, you'll still be dealing with (possible) ND, and hoarding tendencies in one way or another in him, whatever the relationship status because he's fathered one of your Dc's.

You've talked about what you need, and I more than understand. But, it's you who's made choices that mean you can't have all the things you believe you need to be happy and a good parent.
You didn't chose a disabling condition, (neither did he) but you know you have to learn how to live with it and it's difficulties regardless. (typed from wheelchair)

He also has a disabling condition that he can't just fix, anymore than you can just fix your CFS if he wanted you to stop having the symptoms of it.

You have a fundamentally decent man in terms of what he will do and will provide for others, with a host of serious issues that may or may not mean you can't live with him. You dislike his parents, who are one of your DC's grandparents. (not unusual) He's not ready to seek help.

But, you feel sure you can't live and parent independently either physically or financially and say you feel trapped because you have now realized that everything you were warned about is true, but he brings all these other things to the relationship that you want and need. The goldfish grows to the size of it's bowl and always wants/needs a bigger one. That's both of you.

Without being too horrible, the chances of you finding another man who wants a mature dependent disabled partner with two children with two different fathers are low. So if you really can't parent independently, you have to look at where you actually are in life and take responsibility for your decisions, rather than saying others not doing that over theirs, are your biggest issue.

I know how harsh I will sound, please believe me it isn't meant that way at all. Wake up, look at what you do have, stop looking for simple solutions to complicated issues. Decide what matters most. As before I wish you luck.

Thank you for your post. You talk like I don’t have a clue about myself and where I’ve come from and how I’ve come to this and the part I play. I’ve come from child neglect to abusive husband to this. I’m in a situation which for whatever reason is a place where I need to make the decision which causes the least damage to my children. I may be physically impaired but I’ve learned an awful lot and I pass this knowledge onto my children through talking and behaving in healthier ways. I don’t neglect my children, they are loved and supported and we talk an awful lot about emotional health.

I have ADHD myself and my daughter is under diagnosis. I struggle with my feelings and I came on here totally overwhelmed. The stuff and my daughters behaviours, I find I’m trying to manage him and her and myself and sometimes it gets the better of me. I blew up and made something which I manage fine most of the time into something massive. I have little support and I think I used this place to vent my frustration rather than look for fixes. People are trying to fix my solution when this is not what Im looking for. I was lost in overwhelm. We have been away child free the weekend and I feel emotionally much better. I think getting support for my oldest will help me because I feel so lost with her behaviour. I fixate on something else to try and take the pressure off.

OP posts:
Rainbow03 · 08/10/2024 13:45

I will add I have been firm that anything he brings goes in the shed from now on and he has agreed with this. I don’t care what he thinks about this, it’s the shed or nothing. I’ve explained that it sends me into overwhelm and that’s it. I don’t think he fully understands my distress which he does now and it made me cry and he physically saw.

OP posts:
Elleherd · 08/10/2024 15:06

I have little support and I think I used this place to vent my frustration rather than look for fixes. People are trying to fix my solution when this is not what Im looking for.

Reread your own posts and perhaps put that up at the beginning of the next thread?
I certainly wouldn't be taking up time or space posting or saying I'm one of those deeply despised people who have hoarding disorder if I hadn't thought you were looking for solutions to a problem you've previously posted about with a somewhat unlikely ending where everyone was wrong and actually it was all easily resolved.
I stayed off this until it got to the introduction of the 'friend' as latest possible solution.

I'm a physically impaired lone parent with hoarding disorder and ND in the family, who's been managing around all of it for a long time and had to make significant 'decisions which caused the least damage to my children' as well, and as you evidently clearly know, that means being horribly pragmatic, and yes managing everyone else's issues as well as our own. Perhaps at this point I have become too pragmatic.

I fixate on something else to try and take the pressure off. That came over strongly, but not that it was your DD's issues specifically that you where apparently seeking an alternative to focus on, from.

If I come over as feeling you're unaware of some of your own issues that may be because of the above, what you've written, or because of how I've read it, or a bit of both. Take your pick.🙂

All ways round, genuinely wish you luck. We all need some.

Rainbow03 · 08/10/2024 15:51

We are complex, some of us more so. I think I’m the latter. I have always and forever had no support. My only parent alive is autistic,
my whole surround is full of pragmatic people who don’t actually see me. Everyone forever throwing solutions at me, nobody actually seeing me. I am alone and have always been alone since the day I was born in my own struggles. I’ve taken on board lots of the solutions, they were helpful and I’m really grateful to those posters who just saw me.

I couldn’t have said that in my original post, I get lost and overwhelmed. I struggle to regulate myself and I struggle to define the issue.

Even those who posted who struggle with the issue, at least I know Im not alone, because I am in real life. Surrounded by people who can’t see past themselves to see me.

OP posts:
Swiftie1878 · 08/10/2024 22:35

You need professional help. Please seek it out.

Hollietree · 09/10/2024 06:35

Rainbow03 · 08/10/2024 15:51

We are complex, some of us more so. I think I’m the latter. I have always and forever had no support. My only parent alive is autistic,
my whole surround is full of pragmatic people who don’t actually see me. Everyone forever throwing solutions at me, nobody actually seeing me. I am alone and have always been alone since the day I was born in my own struggles. I’ve taken on board lots of the solutions, they were helpful and I’m really grateful to those posters who just saw me.

I couldn’t have said that in my original post, I get lost and overwhelmed. I struggle to regulate myself and I struggle to define the issue.

Even those who posted who struggle with the issue, at least I know Im not alone, because I am in real life. Surrounded by people who can’t see past themselves to see me.

I totally understand this. Whenever I am have a difficult time and I talk to my husband about it…… he just throws solutions at me. When really all I want is a hug and for someone to tell me they are there for me.

So I am sending you a virtual hug and letting you know that I hope things get better for you both. X

Rainbow03 · 09/10/2024 07:13

Hollietree · 09/10/2024 06:35

I totally understand this. Whenever I am have a difficult time and I talk to my husband about it…… he just throws solutions at me. When really all I want is a hug and for someone to tell me they are there for me.

So I am sending you a virtual hug and letting you know that I hope things get better for you both. X

Thanks. It’s incredibly hard having people around you but at the same time being completely invisible. I wasn’t with my partner at the time but when my dad died my mum never acknowledged me, she’s never hugged me since living memory. When I miscarried, the same thing, everyone is so void or scared or overwhelmed of emotions that they avoided me. The only option I seem to have is to push it down and ignore how I feel to the point it’s like a pressure cooker sometimes. Then I explode and everyone is like my god what’s wrong with you. It’s not healthy.

OP posts:
Hollietree · 09/10/2024 07:51

Have you ever been to therapy to talk through your previous difficult experiences @Rainbow03 ? It could really help to work it through with someone. Xx

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