The first signs are build-up of clutter and refusal to throw away things that are not needed.

Other symptoms include:

• Acquiring a lot of items that are not needed despite lacking space
• Persistent difficulty throwing out things
• A need to keep items
• Filling up the rooms with clutter rendering some things unusable
• Indecisiveness
• Procrastination
• Avoidance personalities

• The exact cause is not clearly known but it may be attributed to genetics and stressful life events.
• Risk factors include:
• Indecisive or procrastinating personality
• Family history – people with close relatives with the disorder are more likely to acquire the disorder
• Stressful life events – like losing possessions in a tragedy, or loss of a loved one

There is no known way to prevent it.