He compulsive hoarder syndrome It is a psychological disorder characterized by the tendency to excessive accumulation of items or objects (considering socially accepted quantities as a criterion of comparison) and by the inability to get rid of them, even if they have no value. In the digital sphere, this translates into excessive accumulation of files such as emails, photos, memes or text messages on the mobile. The user may feel emotionally attached to this data and have difficulties organizing or eliminating them, which generates stress and anxiety.
If you are too familiar with the situation of having thousands of photos on your phone and having to spend a lot of time swiping to find what you are looking for, or if your storage is constantly overflowing because you have a hard time deleting things, even unopened emails that you already you’re never going to check, so you might be a compulsive digital hoarder.
‘It is related to the fear of needing this information at some point in the future and not having access to it or not knowing where to find it’, explained Dr. Emanuel Maidenbergclinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, told CNN. Hoarding disorder, often associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder or Diogenes syndrome, is estimated to affect 2.5% of Americans.
The 4 types of digital hoarders
So how do you know if you are affected? The researchers consulted by the media have identified four types of digital hoarders:
- ‘Collectors’who have a well-organized system and are not easily overwhelmed.
- ‘Accidental hoarders’who have no intention of saving unnecessary data, but do not know how to manage it.
- ‘Hoarders by instruction’who retain data on behalf of their company without personal attachment to it.
- ‘Anxious hoarders’which preserve information ‘just in case’ they need it in the future.
How to eliminate digital clutter
Experts gave CNN three tips for managing and eliminating digital clutter in your life:
Limit non-essential information
Recent research found that the average smartphone user has around 80 apps installed, but only use about 30 a month. Delete apps you don’t use, unsubscribe from unnecessary newsletters and notifications, and clear your inbox of unread or irrelevant emails.
Set digital boundaries to preserve your mental health
The average user spends a few seven hours a day online. Reduce the use of email and social networks, in addition to programming ‘digital detox days’can reduce stress, improve concentration and even promote sleep.
Put a little order every day
Dr. Susan Albersa clinical psychologist at the Cleveland Clinic, recommends spend a few minutes each morning deleting emails, messages and other notifications. Saving only what is absolutely necessary can help digital hoarders feel less overwhelmed.
‘We all deal with digital clutter more than we think,’ Albers tells CNN, ‘and I think (removing it) is a simple way, if we spend a little time on it, that has great benefits in terms of productivity and general happiness‘.