With popular reality shows like Hoarders and Hoarding: Buried Alive , this problem has come into great focus. The viewer peeks into the lives of people who are overwhelmed with belongings; every room of a hoarder's house contains mountains of clutter, garbage, and junk that the average person would easily toss. The spectrum from clutter to hoarding is wide, but people can become emotionally attached to their piles of stuff, not willing or able to let anything go.
According to the American Psychiatric Association, 2 to 6 percent of the U.S. population suffers from hoarding. The tendency to gather and hold onto items can appear as early as one’s adolescent years, often worsening with age. A serious case can result in poor health and safety concerns, and the person who suffers can also develop poor personal hygiene.
There are known risk factors such as experiencing a traumatic event; persistent difficulty making decisions; and having a family member who also hoards. Individuals who have both OCD and hoarding symptoms were more likely to have experienced at least one traumatic life event in comparison to those with OCD alone. The obsessive need to collect and keep material objects may be a way for these sufferers to cope.
• Persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions , regardless of actual value.
Key Takeaways
- Hoarding affects mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing
- Understanding hoarding is the first step toward managing it
- Evidence-based approaches can significantly improve outcomes
- Building daily habits is more effective than one-time interventions
The Science of Hoarding
Accumulating belongings may fill an emotional hole left by trauma; it allows individuals to avoid dealing with their pain. Many people who hoard describe a rush when acquiring new items, especially if the item is free or considered a bargain; and these individuals go to great lengths to justify their collections when questioned by others. If a family member or friend removes these belongings without the person’s permission, the person feels violated and anxiety may be triggered.
One study asked participants to make decisions about keeping or chucking items, some belonged to them or some did not belong to them. Researchers found abnormal activity in the anterior cingulate cortex and the insula of the brain, known for decision-making and risk assessment. The people who hoard are unable to make decisions about discarding the items they own.
It is unclear whether hoarding is due to heredity or environment. But half of the people who hoard have a family member who hoards. And there is evidence that links compulsive hoarding to a region on chromosome 14 —which has also been linked to disorders such as Alzheimer's and other cognitive impairments.
Hoarding is a type of compulsion, and it’s estimated that about one in four people with OCD also compulsively hoard . It is also related to obsessive-compulsive personality disorder , attention -deficit hyperactivity disorder, as well as anxiety and depression .
Research from the University of New South Wales has found a link between hoarding behavior and traumatic events , such as loss of a spouse or loss from a natural disaster. People traumatized by such events may show signs of hoarding symptoms at the time of the event or shortly thereafter.
If a person has attention deficit disorder , ADD or ADHD, it does not mean that they have compulsive hoarding behaviors. The disorganization of a person with ADHD or ADD is not related to hoarding. However, a person who hoards may also have or develop attention deficit. And a person who has attention deficit may be at risk of developing hoarding as well.
How to Help a Person Who Hoards
Commonly hoarded items can include anything to everything. But whatever it is, the person who hoards assigns value to their items. Such a household can contain objects including paper and plastic bags, cardboard boxes, newspapers, magazines, photographs, household supplies, old food, unused clothing, sports gear, broken appliances. Just about anything can be stockpiled.
The person who hoards also impacts the lives of the people around them. A house can, in fact, become so compromised that it turns into a clear fire hazard or toxic waste site. People with severe hoarding may even find child services and law enforcement at their door.
This disorder is hard to treat. While medication does not appear to reduce the behavior, it may help to reduce symptoms. Medications that treat conditions like depression and anxiety are helpful in about a third of cases. Therapy can help. Randy Frost, a professor of psychology at Smith College and the father of hoarding psychology , along with colleagues, came up with a cognitive-behavioral approach for hoarders. He includes in this therapy: Ask the person who hoards to try throwing away an item as an experiment. Not as a broad policy, but as a small trial. Then the therapist monitors how the sufferer progresses.
Look for support in the form of a clutter buddy or coach. The person should be respectful, compassionate, and have integrity, and would never try to sneak your belongings away. A good clutter buddy has good personal boundaries , and will not try to influence you with their values and beliefs. They may offer you what they have learned about themselves from experience, which is not the same as trying to apply their opinions into your life.
You cannot clean up for a person who hoards . To help this person, you should not interpret their needs and willingness as noncompliance. They will make their decisions when they are able. Do not interpret their readiness or lack thereof as being unmotivated, lazy, difficult, or unappreciative of your efforts. Understand and accept the person who hoards as who they are.
Studies are revealing the link between suicide and hoarding disorders. Often those with hoarding disorders report depression, suicidal thoughts and behaviour, and social isolation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is hoarding?
With popular reality shows like Hoarders and Hoarding: Buried Alive , this problem has come into great focus. The viewer peeks into the lives of people who are overwhelmed with belongings; every room of a hoarder's house contains mountains of clutter, garbage, and junk that the average person would easily toss. The spectrum from clutter to hoarding is wide, but people can become emotionally attach
How can hoarding be treated?
Commonly hoarded items can include anything to everything. But whatever it is, the person who hoards assigns value to their items. Such a household can contain objects including paper and plastic bags, cardboard boxes, newspapers, magazines, photographs, household supplies, old food, unused clothing, sports gear, broken appliances. Just about anything can be stockpiled. The person who hoards also
Is hoarding a serious condition?
Hoarding exists on a spectrum. While mild forms are a normal part of life, persistent or severe hoarding can significantly impact daily functioning and quality of life. It's important to seek professional support if hoarding is interfering with work, relationships, or wellbeing.
Learn More
Understanding hoarding is just the beginning. Explore related topics: