What does hoarding refer to?

Hoarding refers to the act of accumulating or stashing away items, often in excessive quantities, to the point where it may interfere with daily life and living spaces. This behavior can stem from a variety of psychological reasons, such as anxiety or a fear of losing possessions. People who hoard tend to believe that their items may be useful or valuable in the future, leading them to keep things instead of discarding them. Unlike donating, organizing, or selling, which involve letting go of items or managing them for practical use, hoarding is characterized by the continuous accumulation of belongings without the intention of clearing out or decluttering.