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What is hoarding disorder? -

Hoarding disorder is a mental condition in which a person has difficulty discarding items. They experience distress when attempting to get rid of things.

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What does a person hoard? -

Some typical hoarded items include clothing, newspapers, and household goods. People with hoarding disorder can also accumulate many animals, who are often kept in poor conditions.

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What is the difference between hoarding and collecting? -

These are two distinct behaviors. Collecting normally involves saving certain items in an organized manner. Also, collecting doesn't negatively impact your life (at least in theory). Hoarding is unorganized, and people with the disorder save things with little or no monetary value.

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Whom does hoarding disorder affect? -

Hoarding disorder often shows signs during adolescence and gradually worsens with age. It's more likely to affect people in their sixties and those with other mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression.

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Is hoarding an anxiety disorder? -

Even if hoarding is classified as a subtype of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), an anxiety disorder, it's still a distinct condition.

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What are the symptoms of hoarding disorder? -

Some people with hoarding disorder are aware that it's problematic. But many aren't. In many cases, stressful and traumatic events, such as death and divorce, are associated with the onset of hoarding symptoms. In the next slides, you'll see some common signs.

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Stocking up on useless things -

Even items with little or no monetary value are collected. Things such as newspapers, napkins, and restaurant trash are kept around.

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Defensiveness -

Often, hoarders get very defensive over comments from anyone who’s seen their mess. However, even if they seem to get angry, it's just a cover for internal guilt and shame.

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Saving things for future use -

Many people with hoarding disorder may feel compelled to save something because they think it might be useful one day. But usually these items get lost in the mess.

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Parts of the home are inhabitable -

One common hoarding tendency is that all the items start taking over the living space. Tables, chairs, or entire rooms are filled with useless stuff. 

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Shopping for no reason -

Everyone likes a good deal. But buying things you don't need, just because they're on sale, is a clear sign of hoarding behavior.

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Issues with relationships -

Hoarding disorder can also have a negative effect on relationships, social life, and work activities. it can often lead to conflicts, isolation, and loneliness.

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An extreme attachment to items -

Even if things might look chaotic, people with hoarding symptoms often feel protective of their belongings. They might become so attached to their stuff that they won't let anyone else borrow or even touch it.

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Things get easily lost -

In a space overtaken by stuff, organization is almost impossible to maintain. Important things like cash or keys are constantly being lost in the clutter.

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No room for guests -

Hoarders generally don't want people over. Apart from embarrassment, many hoarders suffer from social anxiety. Entertaining would just be painful.

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Freebies and garage sales are their fuel -

Garage sales are to a hoarder what a drink is to an alcoholic. These places are usually packed with cheap things that in the end are unnecessary. Freebies are also a big weakness for people with the condition.

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Possible issues with cognitive functioning -

Many people with hoarding disorder have issues with cognitive functioning. Some of these include indecisiveness, procrastination, and disorganization.

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Cleaning is a challenge -

One big problem with hoarding is that it presents other problems, such as difficulties around cleaning. For instance, because of all the stuff vacuuming can become super difficult, and this, in turn, can provoke allergies or asthma.

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Worrying about throwing out the wrong thing -

Many hoarders are afraid of accidentally throwing out the wrong thing. Therefore, they just hold on to everything in order to prevent any regrets.

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Hoarding animals -

Hoarding not only affects humans, but also animals. Especially if they're the ones being collected. If you suspect someone is hoarding animals, contact the correct authorities.

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Distressing about stuff -

For many people with hoarding tendencies, the desire to collect more things, and the state of their home, can cause a lot of negative feelings. Some might feel extreme distress and guilt over their condition. Others might be in denial.

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What causes hoarding disorder? -

It's still not entirely known what causes hoarding disorder. However, researchers have found that people with it suffer with planning, problem-solving, organization, sustained attention, and memory.

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It can be combined with other conditions -

While hoarding disorder may exist on it own, it can also be part of another condition. Hoarding disorder is often associated with depression, obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

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Associated risk factors -

Researchers have identified other risk factors that make it more likely to develop the condition. Some of those include brain injury, trauma, impulsive buying habits, substance/alcohol use disorder, or the inability to pass up free items.

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Seeking professional help -

People with hoarding disorder will rarely seek help on their own. Usually the first concrete steps towards rehabilitation occur when concerned friends or family members reach out to a professional.

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Seeking professional help -

It's important to contact a healthcare provider or mental health professional if hoarding makes a living situation unhealthy or unsafe.

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How is hoarding disorder treated? -

Fortunately, treatment does exist for people suffering from hoarding disorder. There are two main types of therapies to treat it: cognitive behavioral therapy, and the use of antidepressant medications.

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Can hoarding disorder be prevented? -

There are no known preventive measures for hoarding disorder. However, as it appears early in life, getting an early diagnosis and treatment does improve outcomes.

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What is the prognosis for hoarding disorder? -

Unfortunately, the prognosis is often poor. Even if people with the condition greatly improve with cognitive behavioral therapy, many still have symptoms that impact their day-to-day lives.

Sources: (Romper) (Cleveland Clinic) (Mayo Clinic)

See also: The important link between mental health and the body

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