Most of the sixty-four hoarders and self-adorners studied were in advanced stages of schizophrenic deterioration, the others in other severe mental illnesses. The hoarded objects were endowed by the patient with the same typical overvaluation one finds in more socially acceptable collectors. As to the nature of the libidinal investment, several patients gave unequivocal evidence that the collected objects symbolized feces. Literal introjection of the hoarded objects was a final development in late cases.

Arieti's observations are further confirmation of the fact that the schizophrenic suffers from profound regression and manifests behavior which is appropriate to the level to which he has regressed.