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اقتناء الفوضى: كيف تتخلص من هوس الاكتناز وتخزين الأشياء
"• هل تجدُ صعوبةً في التخلُّص من الأشياء القديمة حتى لو لم تعُدْ بحاجةٍ إليها؟
• كيف يمكن للاحتفاظ بالأشياء غير المهمة أن يؤثِّرَ على حياتك، وعلاقاتك، وحالتك النفسية؟
• هل تساءلت يومًا عن الأسباب النفسية وراء الاحتفاظ بالمخلَّفات؟
• كيف يمكن التغلُّب على الشعور بالارتباط العاطفيِّ بالأشياء المادية؟
• هل التخلُّص من المخلَّفات يُحرر الذهن؟ وهل البيئة المرتبة تُعزِّز التركيزَ والإبداع؟
في هذا الكتاب:
• تعلَّم كيف تُساعد نفسك أو شخصًا عزيزًا عليكَ يُعاني من هوَسِ الاكتنازِ واقتناءِ الفوضَى.
• تعلَّم تِقنيات خاصة تفهم من خلالها أسباب رغبتكَ في شِراء أشياء بلا هدفٍ، والاحتفاظ بأشياء أخرى لا فائدةَ منها.
• اكتَشفِ الفارقَ الكبيرَ في حياتك قبل وبعد التخلُّص من فوضى ""الكراكيب"" المادية والروحية.
• تعلّم مهارات للتطبيق في حياتك اليومية بدايةً من عادات التسوُّق وحتى طريقة تفكيرك في اتخاذ القرارات المهمّة.
هذه فرصةٌ رائعةٌ للإبداع بإتقانٍ؛ فرصة ترتيب حياتك وإزالة الغُبار عنها قبلَ أن تغزوَ ""الكراكيبُ"" روحك بعدَ منزلك.
"
• كيف يمكن للاحتفاظ بالأشياء غير المهمة أن يؤثِّرَ على حياتك، وعلاقاتك، وحالتك النفسية؟
• هل تساءلت يومًا عن الأسباب النفسية وراء الاحتفاظ بالمخلَّفات؟
• كيف يمكن التغلُّب على الشعور بالارتباط العاطفيِّ بالأشياء المادية؟
• هل التخلُّص من المخلَّفات يُحرر الذهن؟ وهل البيئة المرتبة تُعزِّز التركيزَ والإبداع؟
في هذا الكتاب:
• تعلَّم كيف تُساعد نفسك أو شخصًا عزيزًا عليكَ يُعاني من هوَسِ الاكتنازِ واقتناءِ الفوضَى.
• تعلَّم تِقنيات خاصة تفهم من خلالها أسباب رغبتكَ في شِراء أشياء بلا هدفٍ، والاحتفاظ بأشياء أخرى لا فائدةَ منها.
• اكتَشفِ الفارقَ الكبيرَ في حياتك قبل وبعد التخلُّص من فوضى ""الكراكيب"" المادية والروحية.
• تعلّم مهارات للتطبيق في حياتك اليومية بدايةً من عادات التسوُّق وحتى طريقة تفكيرك في اتخاذ القرارات المهمّة.
هذه فرصةٌ رائعةٌ للإبداع بإتقانٍ؛ فرصة ترتيب حياتك وإزالة الغُبار عنها قبلَ أن تغزوَ ""الكراكيبُ"" روحك بعدَ منزلك.
"
- GenresNonfictionMental Health
192 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2025
20 people are currently reading
195 people want to read
About the author
Jo Cooke
1 book2 followersJo Cooke is a director of Hoarding Disorders UK CIC and an accredited member of the Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers (APDO).
Whilst growing up I lived in many parts of the world, constantly on the move from one house\country to another while attending several different schools.
My previous careers included working for carious organisations from charities, Human Resources, book keeping for a literacy agency as well as working for the civil service.
I am passionate about helping people with their "stuff". I run two hoarding support groups in Bracknell and Newbury.
Whilst growing up I lived in many parts of the world, constantly on the move from one house\country to another while attending several different schools.
My previous careers included working for carious organisations from charities, Human Resources, book keeping for a literacy agency as well as working for the civil service.
I am passionate about helping people with their "stuff". I run two hoarding support groups in Bracknell and Newbury.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 10, 2017
It's difficult to use a rating scale when reviewing a book that falls under the self-help category, because not everyone has the same goals when selecting a book such as this. As the author mentions several times, every hoarder is unique in their reasons for keeping things. Likewise, every reader will bring their own unique reasons for wanting to understand hoarding. The most helpful way to review this book may be to list the chapters and go from there.
1. What is hoarding disorder?
2. Why do people hoard?
3. Seeing the problem: Learning to visualize clutter
4. Decluttering techniques & tips
5. How to help someone who hoards
6. Sustainability: keeping it clear
7. Where does my stuff go?
8. Helpful therapies
9. The professionals perspective
10. The voice of the hoarder
Useful addresses
Further reading
Whatever your interest in the subject of hoarding, you will likely find something in this book that is of both interest and assistance. The biggest beneficiaries of the information will be people in the UK who are interested in understanding and assisting a loved one (possibly the reader themselves) who is a chronic hoarder. If you don't fit that description, this book still may be of great value you, but there may be more information than you need and some chapters or sections you can skip as they may not apply to your situation.
My mother is a hoarder and I have read a few books this year on hoarding and decluttering, so much of what I read in Understanding Hoarding I already had a basic understanding of, from experience and prior research. One thing that stood out to me about this book is how compassionate the author is on the subject. It's not about the clutter, it's about the individual. The author is very clear that the only long-term solution for a person with hoarding disorder is to try and understand the nature of their hoarding tendencies and work through the problem with their consent and at their own speed. While this makes sense as to why it's the most successful way to face the problem, it does not address the situations where there may be an immediate danger to individuals or animals in their dwelling. I say this as someone who has walked into a house so full of mold and mildew that the ceiling was caving in from years of water damage, on to piles and piles of clutter. In this case, the humane thing to do is to ensure that everything is disposed of only by a professional with an appropriate breathing apparatus. The drawback of focusing on the individual is that I don't know how it works when they are not ready to accept that they have a problem while their behavior affects the health & wellbeing of themselves and others.
Overall, this book is recommended to anyone who seeks to understand why people hoard and let their clutter control them. Particularly if you are just beginning to research the subject. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy for review.
1. What is hoarding disorder?
2. Why do people hoard?
3. Seeing the problem: Learning to visualize clutter
4. Decluttering techniques & tips
5. How to help someone who hoards
6. Sustainability: keeping it clear
7. Where does my stuff go?
8. Helpful therapies
9. The professionals perspective
10. The voice of the hoarder
Useful addresses
Further reading
Whatever your interest in the subject of hoarding, you will likely find something in this book that is of both interest and assistance. The biggest beneficiaries of the information will be people in the UK who are interested in understanding and assisting a loved one (possibly the reader themselves) who is a chronic hoarder. If you don't fit that description, this book still may be of great value you, but there may be more information than you need and some chapters or sections you can skip as they may not apply to your situation.
My mother is a hoarder and I have read a few books this year on hoarding and decluttering, so much of what I read in Understanding Hoarding I already had a basic understanding of, from experience and prior research. One thing that stood out to me about this book is how compassionate the author is on the subject. It's not about the clutter, it's about the individual. The author is very clear that the only long-term solution for a person with hoarding disorder is to try and understand the nature of their hoarding tendencies and work through the problem with their consent and at their own speed. While this makes sense as to why it's the most successful way to face the problem, it does not address the situations where there may be an immediate danger to individuals or animals in their dwelling. I say this as someone who has walked into a house so full of mold and mildew that the ceiling was caving in from years of water damage, on to piles and piles of clutter. In this case, the humane thing to do is to ensure that everything is disposed of only by a professional with an appropriate breathing apparatus. The drawback of focusing on the individual is that I don't know how it works when they are not ready to accept that they have a problem while their behavior affects the health & wellbeing of themselves and others.
Overall, this book is recommended to anyone who seeks to understand why people hoard and let their clutter control them. Particularly if you are just beginning to research the subject. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy for review.
May 31, 2017
Read all my reviews at: https://brainfartsandbooks.wordpress.com
Read all about me at: kristielizabeth.com
This book is an absolute Godsend to people who are hoarders and the ones they love. As someone who is in a relationship with a “neat” hoarder of tubs and containers of brand new with tags items, I had nowhere to start. Do I get rid of things slowly without him noticing? No. The book says no. Because hoarding is actually a mental disorder. There is something underlying that needs to be addressed for the actual hoarding to be addressed. I really liked this book because it was thorough in describing the different types of hoarding (mine is a churner). It also had several stories from different points of view that were very interesting to read.
Thank you to NetGalley, Jo Cooke, and Sheldon Press for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Read all about me at: kristielizabeth.com
This book is an absolute Godsend to people who are hoarders and the ones they love. As someone who is in a relationship with a “neat” hoarder of tubs and containers of brand new with tags items, I had nowhere to start. Do I get rid of things slowly without him noticing? No. The book says no. Because hoarding is actually a mental disorder. There is something underlying that needs to be addressed for the actual hoarding to be addressed. I really liked this book because it was thorough in describing the different types of hoarding (mine is a churner). It also had several stories from different points of view that were very interesting to read.
Thank you to NetGalley, Jo Cooke, and Sheldon Press for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 28, 2017
There have been many books published in the US on this subject and it is great to see one now published in the UK.
Tremendous book that will become the manual for all things hoarding. Beautifully and compassionately written.
I thoroughly recommend this book to any hoarders, families of hoarders or for any agencies who work with hoarders.
Tremendous book that will become the manual for all things hoarding. Beautifully and compassionately written.
I thoroughly recommend this book to any hoarders, families of hoarders or for any agencies who work with hoarders.
February 11, 2018
A very good, British-based book on hoarding and its impact on sufferers and those around them. I particularly liked that the author doesn't advocate the quick clearing of hoards as shown on some TV shows. This is the most realistic psychological portrayal of hoarding I've read and is down to earth and understanding of the condition.
March 26, 2019
I met Jo at the APDO conference last year (Association of Professional Organisers UK)
This book is evidence that Jo is an expert in her field. This book delves into the reasons that cause hoarding disorder and how to overcome them.
Clearly written, and not too long, so the reader can absorb the information.
This book is evidence that Jo is an expert in her field. This book delves into the reasons that cause hoarding disorder and how to overcome them.
Clearly written, and not too long, so the reader can absorb the information.
August 15, 2025
الموضوع الرئيسي
يتناول الكتاب ظاهرة الاكتناز والتعلق بالأشياء، ويضعها في إطار نفسي عميق يتجاوز مجرد الفوضى المادية إلى جذور نفسية ونفسية واجتماعية وراء هذا السلوك
الأسباب النفسية للاكتناز والفوضى
• أزمات نفسية غير معروفة: حيث يرتبط “اقتناء الفوضى” بأزمات داخلية لا يدركها الإنسان، وقد ينطوي على تجارب مؤلمة أو شعور بعدم الأمان .
• التعلق العاطفي بالأشياء: تصبح الأشياء رموزًا تمثل ذكريات أو مشاعر، مما يجعل التخلي عنها شعورًا بالخسارة .
• صعوبة اتخاذ القرارات: يعاني المكتنزون غالبًا من تردد في اتخاذ قرار التخلص من المقتنيات، مما يؤدي إلى تراكمها .
• الأهداف التي يسعى إليها الكتاب
• يساعد القارئ على فهم الأسباب النفسية وراء التعلق بالأشياء وفوضاها.
• يقدم أدوات عملية مثل تمارين أو استبيانات لاكتشاف الدوافع الداخلية .
• يطرح خطوات وسلوكيات تغييرية تُمكِّن من التخلص من الأشياء غير الضرورية واتباع نهج حياتي أكثر بساطة ووضوحًا
تقييم الكتاب: الإيجابيات والسلبيات
نقاط القوة
• عمق فكري وصياغة فلسفية جذابة
يقدم الكتاب رؤية عميقة حول الفوضى، معتبرًا إياها قوة دافعة نحو النمو الشخصي، ما يجعل الأسلوب مشوقًا ومحفزًا للتفكير .
• طرح إبداعي لدفع الفوضى إلى ما هو أبعد من الفوضى التقليدية
يقدم منظورًا جديدًا يربط بين الفوضى الداخلية والنظام الاجتماعي، وهذا يساعد القارئ على إعادة تصور الفوضى بعين بناءة .
• يعزز التحفيز الذاتي والوعي الداخلي
يجعل القارئ يعود إلى نفسه ويتفكر في حياته، ويبدأ رحلة تغيير مستنيرة وواعية .
نقاط الضعف
• أسلوب معقد للقراء غير الأكاديميين
اللغة والتحليل قد يحتاجان إلى خلفية فلسفية أو نفسية، مما قد يربك القارئ العادي أو يجعله يتوقف عن القراءة في بعض الأحيان .
• غياب الحلول المباشرة والواضحة
الكتاب يطرح الأسئلة ولا يقدم إجابات قاطعة، مما قد يكون محبطًا لأولئك الذين يبحثون عن خطوات عملية مباشرة .
• ربط بين الأفكار قد يبدو متشظيًا أحيانًا
الانتقالات بين الأفكار والمفاهيم قد لا تتبع تسلسلًا واضحًا، مما يجعل القارئ يشعر بانفصام أو قفزات غير مترابطة 
الخلاصة
«اقتناء الفوضى» هو كتاب يُعدّ تجربة فكرية عميقة حول ظاهرة الاكتناز، يرتكز على أساس نفسي ويُحفز على التفكير الداخلي والتحليل الذاتي. إنه ليس مجرد دليل عملي، بل رحلة تأملية نحو فهم الدوافع العميقة والسلوكيات التي تعيد تشكيل علاقتنا بالأشياء. قد يكون أكثر إفادة للأشخاص المهيئين نفسيًا ومهتمين بالتطوير الذاتي، بينما قد يجد غيرهم فيه تحديًا لغامضًا
نادية أحمد
كتاب ورقي
يتناول الكتاب ظاهرة الاكتناز والتعلق بالأشياء، ويضعها في إطار نفسي عميق يتجاوز مجرد الفوضى المادية إلى جذور نفسية ونفسية واجتماعية وراء هذا السلوك
الأسباب النفسية للاكتناز والفوضى
• أزمات نفسية غير معروفة: حيث يرتبط “اقتناء الفوضى” بأزمات داخلية لا يدركها الإنسان، وقد ينطوي على تجارب مؤلمة أو شعور بعدم الأمان .
• التعلق العاطفي بالأشياء: تصبح الأشياء رموزًا تمثل ذكريات أو مشاعر، مما يجعل التخلي عنها شعورًا بالخسارة .
• صعوبة اتخاذ القرارات: يعاني المكتنزون غالبًا من تردد في اتخاذ قرار التخلص من المقتنيات، مما يؤدي إلى تراكمها .
• الأهداف التي يسعى إليها الكتاب
• يساعد القارئ على فهم الأسباب النفسية وراء التعلق بالأشياء وفوضاها.
• يقدم أدوات عملية مثل تمارين أو استبيانات لاكتشاف الدوافع الداخلية .
• يطرح خطوات وسلوكيات تغييرية تُمكِّن من التخلص من الأشياء غير الضرورية واتباع نهج حياتي أكثر بساطة ووضوحًا
تقييم الكتاب: الإيجابيات والسلبيات
نقاط القوة
• عمق فكري وصياغة فلسفية جذابة
يقدم الكتاب رؤية عميقة حول الفوضى، معتبرًا إياها قوة دافعة نحو النمو الشخصي، ما يجعل الأسلوب مشوقًا ومحفزًا للتفكير .
• طرح إبداعي لدفع الفوضى إلى ما هو أبعد من الفوضى التقليدية
يقدم منظورًا جديدًا يربط بين الفوضى الداخلية والنظام الاجتماعي، وهذا يساعد القارئ على إعادة تصور الفوضى بعين بناءة .
• يعزز التحفيز الذاتي والوعي الداخلي
يجعل القارئ يعود إلى نفسه ويتفكر في حياته، ويبدأ رحلة تغيير مستنيرة وواعية .
نقاط الضعف
• أسلوب معقد للقراء غير الأكاديميين
اللغة والتحليل قد يحتاجان إلى خلفية فلسفية أو نفسية، مما قد يربك القارئ العادي أو يجعله يتوقف عن القراءة في بعض الأحيان .
• غياب الحلول المباشرة والواضحة
الكتاب يطرح الأسئلة ولا يقدم إجابات قاطعة، مما قد يكون محبطًا لأولئك الذين يبحثون عن خطوات عملية مباشرة .
• ربط بين الأفكار قد يبدو متشظيًا أحيانًا
الانتقالات بين الأفكار والمفاهيم قد لا تتبع تسلسلًا واضحًا، مما يجعل القارئ يشعر بانفصام أو قفزات غير مترابطة 
الخلاصة
«اقتناء الفوضى» هو كتاب يُعدّ تجربة فكرية عميقة حول ظاهرة الاكتناز، يرتكز على أساس نفسي ويُحفز على التفكير الداخلي والتحليل الذاتي. إنه ليس مجرد دليل عملي، بل رحلة تأملية نحو فهم الدوافع العميقة والسلوكيات التي تعيد تشكيل علاقتنا بالأشياء. قد يكون أكثر إفادة للأشخاص المهيئين نفسيًا ومهتمين بالتطوير الذاتي، بينما قد يجد غيرهم فيه تحديًا لغامضًا
نادية أحمد
كتاب ورقي
May 16, 2017
If you're anything like us here, families build up clutter we shove away to forget until we pass it on... eventually that is.
I remember watching Homes Under The Hammer and a Channel 4 programme about hoarders and seeing the state of their homes from excessive collecting of anything from recyclables to general life objects.
I wanted to learn more on the subject and this book covers the base of it perfectly for me.
It is factual but open, talking about how Hoarding is classed as a Mental Health issue and is commonly found alongside depression/depressive disorders and people with a range of disabilities/chronic illness too including my Fibromyalgia.
I never knew of that link for sure and though I own a good collection of books, if you haven't guessed! I do always have a clear out to keep space for more loved ones to have their time in my collection before clearing out again in the future.
Hoarding is talked about at length of where its roots come from be it childhood or events recently and it can be triggered by many things from abuse to redundancy etc.
People often feel a need for control and perfectionism can also try to take charge so receiving help and support whilst slowly making changes even a little bit a day to work through the hoarded goods can help alter their mindset and set a realistic goal for the future.
The book spoke so clearly and got the points across that even though anyone really can be affected, it doesn't have to be a life long condition and not get to the health effecting stage. It is treatable with the right accessible care and support.
I truly think anyone with hoarding tendencies will take something away from this book, whether its just facts they didn't know or a tip given within.
Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!
I remember watching Homes Under The Hammer and a Channel 4 programme about hoarders and seeing the state of their homes from excessive collecting of anything from recyclables to general life objects.
I wanted to learn more on the subject and this book covers the base of it perfectly for me.
It is factual but open, talking about how Hoarding is classed as a Mental Health issue and is commonly found alongside depression/depressive disorders and people with a range of disabilities/chronic illness too including my Fibromyalgia.
I never knew of that link for sure and though I own a good collection of books, if you haven't guessed! I do always have a clear out to keep space for more loved ones to have their time in my collection before clearing out again in the future.
Hoarding is talked about at length of where its roots come from be it childhood or events recently and it can be triggered by many things from abuse to redundancy etc.
People often feel a need for control and perfectionism can also try to take charge so receiving help and support whilst slowly making changes even a little bit a day to work through the hoarded goods can help alter their mindset and set a realistic goal for the future.
The book spoke so clearly and got the points across that even though anyone really can be affected, it doesn't have to be a life long condition and not get to the health effecting stage. It is treatable with the right accessible care and support.
I truly think anyone with hoarding tendencies will take something away from this book, whether its just facts they didn't know or a tip given within.
Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!
May 27, 2017
I do not suffer from hoarding, and I do not know anyone that does. As far as I know at least. I wanted to read this book because I have an interest in mental health issues, and wanted read the book to better understand the different conditions.
If you are suffering from hoarding, or know anyone who is, I would recommend to look trough this book. It gives a great understanding of the condition, and great tips on how to help.
For me, I liked the first part of the book, the part of understanding the condition. The middle part became hard for me to relate to, but I can absolutely se the help it may provide. Not giving up on the book, I continued to the end, and I am happy I did. In the end hoarders and helpers explain their own experiences. I especially love the two myths and truth lists.
And, the book is filled with different lists. I love lists!
*Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
If you are suffering from hoarding, or know anyone who is, I would recommend to look trough this book. It gives a great understanding of the condition, and great tips on how to help.
For me, I liked the first part of the book, the part of understanding the condition. The middle part became hard for me to relate to, but I can absolutely se the help it may provide. Not giving up on the book, I continued to the end, and I am happy I did. In the end hoarders and helpers explain their own experiences. I especially love the two myths and truth lists.
And, the book is filled with different lists. I love lists!
*Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
May 7, 2021
Useful and Insightful Regarding Hoarding
I personally live a relatively minimalist lifestyle and avoid clutter as much as possible. However, I grew up with parents who found it extremely difficult to throw things away and I was never really able to have friends around as a child due to their hoarding and untidy tendencies. My mother passed away in February 2020 and it took my family over a year to clear her flat due to the sheer volume of clutter.
I read this book as I wanted to gain some insight into what had driven my parents to accumulate so much cr@p. I certainly found some answers in this book. I also now have a better understanding of how to help those who hoard.
The book is worth a read if you want to develop insight into hoarding and to find a way to de-clutter or help a hoarder to get their home back.
I personally live a relatively minimalist lifestyle and avoid clutter as much as possible. However, I grew up with parents who found it extremely difficult to throw things away and I was never really able to have friends around as a child due to their hoarding and untidy tendencies. My mother passed away in February 2020 and it took my family over a year to clear her flat due to the sheer volume of clutter.
I read this book as I wanted to gain some insight into what had driven my parents to accumulate so much cr@p. I certainly found some answers in this book. I also now have a better understanding of how to help those who hoard.
The book is worth a read if you want to develop insight into hoarding and to find a way to de-clutter or help a hoarder to get their home back.
August 11, 2022
This is a wonderful, straightforward book that addresses so many questions and issues facing hoarders and the people that love them. It is not a complicated read but warm and rich - and refreshing to read as an American (since this is British!). Would recommend to anyone wanting to get started with the basics on hoarding.
December 31, 2017
This and other books have helped in understanding my late mother and the house I spent 2017 clearing.
February 23, 2022
Fantastic, informative, respectful, a must read for anyone wanting to understand hoarding behaviour. A*******
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