A space messy or disorganized can cause stress or discomfort for many people. This superficial chaos usually includes judgments towards the messy person, for being careless with their belongings. However, according to psychology, behind this disorder can hide many reasons.
Although for some people Disorder is a lack of habit, for others it is an choice or a way of working that does not affect their daily performance. According to psychologist Regina Villagrán, It can be a manifestation of emotional states, past experiences or even personality traits.
It is also possible for a person to be messy and do not know until he lives with someone more orderly. This may be due to behaviors acquired at home. There are even those who, for rebellion before authoritarian figures in their past, adopt disorder as a form of freedom, the expert mentions.
What does it mean to be messy?
According to Villagrán, a messy person, from the psychological point of view, is that whose lack of organization has emotional roots and can manifest itself as an indirect expression of unprocessed emotions.
“They can be moods that invite you to leave things anywhere, or it can be due to lack of focus, which includes past emotions that have a lot of strength in the present,” explains Villagrán.
Disorganization becomes problematic when it affects the four main spheres of life: work, emotional, family and social. At that point it ceases to be a simple personal preference to become a significant obstacle to the development and well -being of the person.
Characteristics of a messy person
Although it seems it, being disorderly is not always a reflection of laziness or disinterest. According to Villagrán, it may be due to factors such as:
- Lack of focus: Difficulty to keep present, which leads to leave objects anywhere.
- Unprocessed emotions: Frustration, anxiety or anger can translate into external chaos. When emotions remain unsolved, they tend to be reflected in the immediate environment.
- Past traumas or experiences: Traumatic experiences in childhood, such as the separation of parents or situations of constant emotional discomfort, can generate disorganization patterns that persist in adulthood.
- Neurodivergencia: People with ADHD (attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder) may have a different relationship with order.
- Emotional or physical overload: Single mothers, people with multiple responsibilities or work stress.
According to the specialist, on many occasions “As is inside, it is out,” emphasizes how the environment usually reflects a person’s internal state.
However, This behavior is not always pathological. Some people simply prioritize other areas of their lives or have an “orderly disorder”, where, although their space seems chaotic, they know where everything is.
Villagrán mentions that “we cannot say that there is a certain personality without before studying what the environment is like. What we can mention are the degrees of disorder or disorganization contexts.”
However, when the disorder becomes excessive, it can be related to disorders such as depression, diogenes syndrome (compulsive accumulation) or personality limit disorder (TLP).
How to combat disorder?
According to Villagrán, there are cases – as during adolescence – in which the disorder is normal, natural and even necessary, but must improve as it grows.
Many creative, flexible and less structured people in their way of working or thinking are usually disorderly, and disorder does not affect their performance.
However, if this situation affects the day to day and the environment, the psychologist recommends:
- Establishment of structured schedules and routines
- Creation of rewards systems for specific tasks
- Development of time management skills
In addition, progressive approaches are important. “I always ask patients to start ordering small things and go from micro to macro.” This method includes:
- Home with small spaces: Start by ordering the room or car before boarding larger spaces.
- Therapeutic activities: Performing everyday trades, such as washing hit, sweeping or cleaning a closet, can help organize internally.
- Social support: Ask for friends or family to accompany the process and avoid feeling overwhelmed.
When should a messy person seek help?
It is important to seek professional help when disorder:
- Interferes with labor operation
- Affects personal relationships
- Generates significant emotional discomfort
- It is accompanied by depressive or anxious symptoms
- Involves compulsive accumulation of objects
Disorder is not simply a matter of personal preferences or lack of discipline. The key is to recognize when it ceases to be functional to become an obstacle to well -being.