Hoarding
Overview
Hoarding disorder is a persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions due to a perceived need to save them. A person with hoarding disorder experiences distress at the thought of getting rid of items, leading to an excessive accumulation of items, regardless of their actual value. This disorder can lead to clutter that disrupts their ability to use their living or workspaces.
Hoarding is not the same as collecting. Collectors look for specific items, such as model cars or stamps, and may organise or display them. Those with hoarding disorder often save random items and store them haphazardly.
Key Features
Consider seeking professional help if you notice any of the following:
• Excessive accumulation of items that fill up and clutter living areas of the home or workplace.
• Inability to discard items, regardless of their value.
• Feeling overwhelmed or embarrassed by possessions.
• Suspicion of others touching items.
• Experiencing distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning due to hoarding.
Excessive Accumulation: Hoarding involves the excessive acquisition of items and a reluctance or inability to discard them, leading to clutter and disorganisation in living spaces. Hoarded items are often kept in large quantities, even if they are no longer useful or necessary.
Distress or Impairment: Hoarding causes significant distress or impairment in various areas of functioning, including social, occupational, and emotional well-being. Individuals may experience anxiety, depression, shame, or embarrassment related to their hoarding behavior.
Difficulty Discarding: Individuals with hoarding disorder struggle to discard possessions, even when they recognise that the items are cluttering their living space and causing distress. They may experience intense emotional attachments to their possessions or fear of making the wrong decision about what to discard.
Cluttered Living Spaces: Hoarding often leads to cluttered and crowded living spaces, making it difficult to move freely and perform daily activities. Hoarded items may cover furniture, floors, countertops, and other surfaces, creating safety hazards and health risks.
Functional Impairment: Hoarding can interfere with daily activities such as cooking, cleaning, and personal hygiene. It may also result in difficulties accessing essential items, such as clothing, food, or important documents.
How We Can Help
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is considered the most effective treatment for hoarding disorder. It focuses on helping you recognise and understand your thoughts and feelings that guide your hoarding behaviours and teaching you to resist the urge to collect more items.
Organisational skills and decision-making strategies are also a critical part of the treatment process. These skills can help you declutter your living space and maintain it over time.
In some cases, medications can be used as part of the treatment plan, especially when hoarding is associated with another condition such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or depression.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP): ERP is a specialized form of CBT that involves gradually exposing individuals to situations that trigger hoarding-related anxiety while preventing them from engaging in compulsive hoarding behaviors. Psychologists guide clients through exposure exercises designed to reduce anxiety and increase tolerance for discarding possessions.
Skills Training: Psychologists teach individuals with hoarding disorder practical skills for organising, decluttering, and maintaining their living spaces. This may include instruction in categorising possessions, setting goals for decluttering, decision-making strategies for discarding items, and establishing routines for maintaining organisation.
Motivational Enhancement: Psychologists use motivational interviewing techniques to help individuals with hoarding disorder increase their motivation to change hoarding behaviors. By exploring ambivalence about treatment and highlighting the benefits of change, psychologists support clients in making meaningful progress toward their goals.
Family Therapy: Hoarding disorder often affects family members and relationships. Psychologists offer family therapy to address communication difficulties, improve understanding of hoarding-related issues, and promote healthy boundaries and support within the family system.
If you or a loved one are struggling with hoarding, remember that you're not alone. Our team of experienced psychologists is ready to help you navigate your journey towards a less cluttered, more functional life. Why not give us a call today? It's the first step towards reclaiming control over your surroundings and living the life you deserve.