Many of us collect things, such as books or stamps. The difference between a ‘collection’ and a ‘hoard’ is how items are organised. A hoard is usually very disorganised and takes up a lot of room. This is not always a problem. However, when the items are largely inaccessible and interfere with everyday living so that, for example, you might not be able to use the kitchen or bathroom and cannot access other rooms, it can contribute and connect to mental health issues. The clutter may cause significant distress or negatively affect your life or that of your family. Difficulty discarding objects can not only cause or contribute to loneliness and mental health problems, but also pose a health and safety risk.