The highs and lows of bipolar disorder can often be accompanied by clutter and, in extreme cases, hoarding.

For some people living with bipolar disorder, keeping order around their house may be a struggle. Cycles of mania and depression can make it very difficult to keep a handle on household clutter. In extreme cases, people with bipolar might begin exhibiting signs of hoarding behavior, being unable to part with anything even as their homes fill up with new purchases.

There’s no need for despair, however. People fighting clutter as a result of bipolar disorder have a number of options available to them. Getting the right treatment for bipolar disorder will help, along with adopting a few simple habits that, over time, will result in clear spaces and a happier, healthier home.

Understanding the Links to Clutter and Hoarding

Research has linked bipolar disorder to hoarding behavior in a couple of ways. People with bipolar disorder are more likely to hoard, and the severity of their bipolar symptoms are directly tied to the severity of their hoarding behavior. These links usually occur in the context of another anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

The manic highs and depressive lows of bipolar disorder both lend themselves to clutter and hoarding:

• Depression. People with depression can find themselves too lethargic and listless to clean up around the house. You may attempt to self-medicate through consumerism — purchasing items you don’t really need to make yourself feel better. As a result, piles of possessions can begin to build up around your home during a depressive episode.
• Mania. People who experience mania can become too distracted to properly clean up their homes or pick up after themselves. You might begin a household task, only to move onto something else before the chore is completed. You also might find it too hard to concentrate properly when it comes to organizing your belongings. Manic feelings can lead to extreme anxiety when faced with having to throw something away.

Getting Help to Deal With Clutter

The first step in dealing with clutter should involve getting help for your bipolar disorder. Treatments include:

• Therapy. Working with a therapist can help you better understand how bipolar disorder leads to clutter and disarray. Cognitive-behavioral therapy in particular is extremely helpful. In this form of therapy, you learn about the mechanisms through which the disorder forces behavior, and then about practical steps to change those behaviors. For example, a person who self-medicates by shopping while depressed will be taught to recognize when this is happening and head it off. A manic person can be taught methods for calming down enough to focus on a cleaning task.
• Medication. Mood stabilizers can work to even out mood swings. Some options include lithium and anti-psychotic medications like haloperidol (Haldol) or clozapine (Clozaril).

Try these practical tips for combating clutter as well:

• Break down the task. Focus on one room when cleaning, and then break down the tasks within that room. For example, first pick up belongings and put them away, then switch your attention to dusting.
• Force yourself into consistency. Make certain chores part of your daily ritual. Go through your mail every morning. Clean and wipe down kitchen counters every time you cook.
• Get tough on your stuff. When you buy one new item, throw away two old ones. Pare down your mementos, considering the nostalgic value of each and tossing away those that are redundant or meaningless.

By getting the right treatment and practicing small but important clutter-busting steps, you can take control of disorder and better organize your home and your life.