Uncertainty about some issues, incapacity to toss absent worthless things and possessive behavior are a few symptoms of hoarding dysfunction. I feel the hoarders are deeply disturbed folks who make use of the hoard, as you say, being a sort of Regulate, for a wall to help keep people absent. https://andersonaawpg.ampedpages.com/what-does-how-neighbors-can-help-a-hoarder-mean-57020378