However, there are also various other conditions which can contribute to a messy home or space. You may find your messiness is a result of your depression, lack of self-love, low energy, feelings of stress, or anxiety. Messiness can also be a sign of an underlying problem such as ADHD or bipolar disorder.
Psychology says that messiness can indeed be a sign that a person is having trouble. Just like someone who is suffering from OCD and has to control everything, being a messy person might show that they are dealing with depression or some other mental illness.
People with ADHD don't only make messes. They often walk away from them. For example, they may constantly leave the top off the toothpaste or forget to flush the toilet despite being told many times. One reason that happens is trouble with working memory.
Abstract. The messy house syndrome (Diogenes syndrome) is present when, owing to a disordering of the personality structure, a person is unable to keep order, for example, in the household or his finances. Such persons are also referred to as "messies".
Wachtel says that because this is a part of your personality, and who you are, people are not likely to change. "I've been messy my entire life," the doctor says. "It takes a lot of effort." Changing is not impossible, but because it would go against your personality, the transition could be a constant struggle.
Clutter in the living room might suggest blockages in your social life, as well as your relationship with yourself, while a cluttered bedroom might relate to issues surrounding your sexual self, fears of intimacy or gender roles.
Dr Brendan Zietsch of the University of Queensland studies the genetic underpinnings of human behaviour and says people can inherit a genetic tendency for messiness from one or both parents. “Both genes and environment play a role in influencing traits in general.
Some ADHD experts believe that a cluttered desk, closet, or house reflects a disorganized mind; others take it as a sign of genius. A lot of adults with ADHD, including me, agree with the latter opinion. Either view can be true, depending on the individual and the degree of his disorganization.
Try the 12-12-12 Challenge! Essentially, you need to locate 12 items to throw away, 12 items to donate, and 12 items to be returned to their proper place.
Clutter can make us feel stressed, anxious and depressed. Research from the United States in 2009, for instance, found the levels of the stress hormone cortisol were higher in mothers whose home environment was cluttered.
Low motivation can be a common symptom of depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. You can practice self-help and self-care as much as you can, but you may find that seeking professional help is more helpful for your emotions. Online therapy is beneficial, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
How messy or tidy you're feeling can also correlate with your mental health. Some people may use tidying as a stress reliever, while for others it slips off while they're stressed. Life traumas (such as divorce or death of a loved one), transitions (such as having a baby), or illness can cause a person to backslide.
You don't enjoy cleaning: Some people just don't like cleaning – period. If you don't find any joy in the act of cleaning, it's going to be difficult to convince yourself to do it on a regular basis. You're overwhelmed: A messy house can feel like a never-ending project, and it's easy to get bogged down in the details.
There are many reasons for disorganization including perfectionism, lack of skills, our beliefs and indecision, as well as mental health and brain-related conditions. When we understand the reason, it can help increase our ability to become more organized (and stay that way!).
Differences in emotions in people with ADHD can lead to 'shutdowns', where someone is so overwhelmed with emotions that they space out, may find it hard to speak or move and may struggle to articulate what they are feeling until they can process their emotions.