Hoarding and Keeping Useless Objects (Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior)

People often know that a common trait of obsessive-compulsive (OC) behavior is the difficulty of getting rid of useless objects. People like this will often safeguard old useless property even if it has absolutely no sentimental or pragmatic value. In the OC mind, the object might be useful or have purpose in the future. Even if that use is not so obvious. In many instances, this person will retain the object even though it has no rational purpose, but "just in case". For example, I still have in one of my drawers an AC charger for a StarTac phone that has not been produced since the late 90's. But hey... I'm keeping it "just in case". The OC mind is very good at rationalizing its inability to get rid of these objects. Usually I find myself figuring that if I throw an object out, I will find a need for it "soon". On a related note, the OC mind also has a tendency of hoarding. In many cases it is money, but it can also apply to objects. Someone with OC will develop a fear of impending doom, and riddles him or herself with "what ifs". Someone like this will very unlikely 'run out' of something. They always have a spare to take place of anything that is consumed. Just so you imagine, try to picture someone getting ready for a natural disaster and stocking up on goods. However, this is not your normal spare of vegetable oil--It really does mean HOARDING. Allow me to provide myself as an example. Even though I live on my own, I have 5 bars of soap, 3 bottles of liquid soap, 3 bottles of shampoo, more than 25 rolls of toilet paper, 6 tubes of toothpaste, and a lifetime supply of aspirine and pepto bysmol. Of course, if I ever were not able to obtain a new bottle of shampoo due to the economy or another catastrophe, shampooing my hair should be the last of my concerns. This is why it is so hard for a non-OC to understand the OC mind. "Always play it safe" is our motto, and we get ill ridden with anxiety when we lose control.