There’s a good reason narcissistic abuse victims develop strange hoarding habits. It’s not just about collecting stuff; it’s a way to cope with the chaos and loss of control caused by constant manipulation and gaslighting. Clinging to objects provides a sense of stability and ownership when everything else feels uncertain. What starts as holding on to comfort can quietly grow into piles of belongings that reflect unspoken pain and trauma.
But why does this happen? Let’s explore the 10 unusual hoarding behaviors of narcissistic abuse victims.
Are you ready for number one?
- Keeping Letters, Emails, or Text Messages—Even Hateful Ones After years of experiencing gaslighting, you may feel the urge to hoard pieces of evidence to defend yourself. These pieces of evidence often take the form of letters, emails, or text messages. It might seem strange to others, but it’s your way of validating your emotions, memory, and reality. When someone twists the truth or denies what they said or did, those messages prove that you’re not imagining things.
Dr. Robin Stern, author of The Gaslight Effect, explains that victims of gaslighting often cling to evidence because it helps them anchor themselves in reality when everything else feels shaky. As painful as they are, these messages might remind you of what you’ve survived.
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