People have very different ideas about what it means to have too much stuff or a cluttered home.
For some people, a pile of items in the corner of a bedroom may seem like clutter – while someone else may have so much stuff in bedrooms and hallways that parts of their home become inaccessible – and to them that is completely normal.
To gain a better understanding of what may be considered ‘hoarding’, a Clutter Image Rating Scale (CIRS) has been developed.
Clutter Image Rating Scale*
The CIRS was developed to assist in evaluating clutter and hoarding levels in the home.
This tool is most effective for assessing clutter in standard rooms of a home, for example: the living room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom.
To gain a better understanding, a series of nine pictures in each room of the home has been developed, each showing various stages of clutter. Stages range from (one) completely clutter-free, to (nine) severely cluttered.
Looking at the images requires some degree of judgment, as no two homes look exactly alike and clutter is more common in some rooms compared to others.
How would you rate your collecting?
Clutter Image Rating Scale: Kitchen
Please identify the photo below that most accurately reflects the amount of clutter in your room.
Image 1
Image 2
Image 3
Image 4
Image 5
Image 6
Image 7
Image 8
Image 9
Clutter Image Rating Scale: Living Room
Please identify the photo below that most accurately reflects the amount of clutter in your room.
Image 1
Image 2
Image 3
Image 4
Image 5
Image 6
Image 7
Image 8
Image 9
In general, clutter that reaches the level of picture #4 or higher of the CIRS would imply that assistance is required.
Additionally, at a level 5 CIRS rating or above, research conducted by FRV has revealed this is where the fire risk is increased.
*Source: Frost RO, Steketee G 2006a, Compulsive Hoarding and Acquiring: Therapist Guide. New York. Oxford University Press. The Clutter Image Rating (CIR) Tool, p. 188. Used with permission of Oxford University Press, USA
Can you relate to the above images?
If you or someone you know can relate to the images above (especially to pictures rated four or higher), it is important to be aware that although these items may be significant to you, if your collecting habits are causing risks to your health, safety and well-being, you may need to seek help.
