FACT SHEET

Factors Associated with Disorganization

Disorganization can be caused by many factors. Determining the cause(s) of one's disorganization and finding solutions to overcoming it can
be aided with the assistance of a professional organizer, particularly one trained in dealing with chronic disorganization.

BRAIN-BASED CONDITIONS BELIEFS ABOUT SELF / POSSESSIONS SITUATIONAL FACTORS

The following chart offers limited examples within each category and should not be considered all-inclusive.
Neurologically-Based Conditions Learning Styles or Modalities Perfectionism

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder • System not well suited to the individual’s • Leaving things undone due to a fear of
(ADHD) learning style or modality making a mistake
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI) • Visual thinker who believes “out of sight, • Acquiring more than is necessary to
• Fibromyalgia out of mind” make things perfect
• Parkinson’s Disease • Tactile sympathy • Spending too much time doing something in
• Multiple sclerosis (MS) • Holistic thinker an effort to make it “perfect”
Mental Health Issues Information-Processing Deficits Attachments to Possessions
• Depression • Decision-making difficulty • Over-attachment to objects due to:
• Anxiety disorder • Distractibility • Sentimental reasons
• Avoidance disorder • Memory deficits • Instrumental reasons
• Social anxiety disorder • Categorization difficulties • Intrinsic reasons
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Compulsive Hoarding Disorder
Addictive Tendencies Learning Differences Beliefs and Attitudes
• Compulsive acquisition • Dyslexia • False beliefs such as: I am a
• Infomania • Dyscalculia procrastinator; I always have been, and
• Urgency addiction • Dysgraphia always will be.
• Compulsive saving • Auditory processing disorder • Fear of making a mistake or being judged
• Drug and/or alcohol addiction • Nonverbal learning disability poorly by others
Aging Issues Emotional and/or Behavioral Patterns Ineffective Beliefs about Possessions
• Physical difficulties • Procrastination & avoidance • Unrealistically valuing objects
• Medications • Acquiring or saving objects as a result of • Associating possessions with one’s identity
• Cognitive problems emotional reactions • Sense of obligation to take care of objects

Physical Challenges Communication Problems Choices

• Impaired mobility • Poor negotiation skills • Over scheduling
• Fatigue • Conflicting communication styles among • Too much stuff
• Poor vision family members or colleagues at work • No sense of mission
• Dysphasia • Weak management, leadership, • Not setting short or long-term goals
• Sleep disorder and delegation strategies • Misplaced priorities
Life Crises Transitions Systemic Factors

• Health emergency • One or more moves • No system

• Death of a loved one • Relocation Stress Syndrome • Ineffective system, such as one that is
• Automobile accident • Birth or adoption of a child overly complex or too difficult to
• Job loss • Parents or adult children move in implement
• Family crisis • Divorce or separation
• Trauma
Lack of Skills Environmental Factors
• Never taught in school • Poor lighting
• Poor modeling by parents or guardians • Lack of storage space
• Churning • Awkward traffic flow
• Unpleasant space
• House renovation

ICD Fact Sheet – 004

By Phyllis Flood Knerr, CPO-CD®

© 2010-2019, ICD. This fact sheet may be reproduced for educational purposes only; copyright must be noted. Fact sheets and other informational material
may be obtained from the ICD website at www.challengingdisorganization.org.