Hoarding & Self Object Functioning

A lot of narcissists are hoarders. My father is both. This is relevant because of the interesting narcissistic concept called “self-object functioning.”

Self-object functioning means a person relies on another person to perform psychological functions that help maintain their own sense of self. A narcissistic person may target someone for control and compliance because that person performs an important self-object function – regulating the narcissist’s self-esteem, identity, or sense of power.

In a striking parallel, a person who hoards may be unable to relinquish possessions because those objects also help the hoarding narcissist to again regulate their sense of self, providing identity, security, or emotional regulation.