HOW DID HOARDING BECOME A DISORDER?
The concept of hoarding has been around for nearly a century with roots in the psychoanalytical realm. Sigmund Freud characterized hoarding has part of the “anal” psychosexual stage of development. It was believed that being people with the anal personality were well on their way to developing OCD, hence the term “anal retentive personality.” Hoarding was considered a symptom of OCD, but then researchers and clinicians recognized they were different – for example hoarding did not respond as well to treatment as OCD. So experts decided to make hoarding its own disorder.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SOMEONE BEING A HOARDER AND SOMEONE JUST NOT CLEANING THEIR HOUSE?
People with hoarding disorder form an extremely strong attachment to their possessions and experience terrible distress or grief at parting from them.
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF A HOARDER?
The most obvious sign is the extreme clutter in the home that causes social issues for the sufferer and makes their environment dangerous for themselves and others. They may lose friends and family relationship, or become isolated because of the clutter. Often their cars and office spaces are cluttered too. Oftentimes people who hoard will not permit visitors out of fear of embarrassment or because they worry that others may touch or move their things.
FROM YOUR RESEARCH, WHAT’S THE MOST COMMON REASON WHY SOME PEOPLE ARE HOARDERS?
It seems that a main cause is genetics. Hoarding tends to run in families.
ARE THERE TREATMENTS AVAILABLE FOR HOARDERS?
Yes! Cognitive behavioral therapy is effective, and certain antidepressant medications can help as well.
HOW IS HOARDING DIAGNOSED?
Hoarding is diagnosed when a person has trouble letting go of and throwing out items regardless of their actual value, distress at the thought of throwing something out, an accumulation of a large number of possessions that clutter up living areas in the home or work place, and the clutter causes life problems (clinically significant impairment).
WHERE CAN LISTENERS GO FOR MORE INFORMATION?
The International OCD Foundation.
AFTER SEEKING HELP, CAN THEY GO BACK TO HOARDING AGAIN?
Yes, people have to stay on top of the treatment plan or they can relapse. I recommend ongoing check-ins with a therapist after treatment is complete.
WHY DO SOME HOARDERS RESIST TREATMENT?
People with hoarding disorder resist treatment because they love their things and don’t want to give them up. They often feel an emotional connection to the objects, believe it is morally wrong to “waste,” and think the items may be needed later.
WHAT TYPES OF QUESTIONS SHOULD I ASK MY FAMILY MEMBERS OR RELATIVES IF I THINK THEY MAY HAVE A HOARDING DISORDER?
Ask if they would be willing to talk to someone about the impact of the clutter on their lives and the well-being of those around them.
Dr. Williams answers your ‘Text Tom’ questions on the next page.
If a person who doesn’t clean up their home considered a hoarder? My girlfriend lives in a constantly messy home and it doesn’t seem to bother her UNTIL you mention it to her.
Just being messy doesn’t make you a hoarder. It’s only considered hoarding disorder if the person is excessively attached to their things and refuses to get rid of them.
How do I approach my mom who I know is a hoarder and has been for years?
Try to help her understand how the disorder has gotten in the way of more important things in her life, and how it has hurt the family. Sometimes a formal intervention is needed.
How can you help a hoarder when they can become very violent over their items being removed?
You should contact a mental health professional with expertise in hoarding. Do not try to force the person to clean or forcibly take their things. This can result in violence or even suicide.
Are there serious physical health concerns for a hoarder?
Yes, hoarding is associated with all sorts of health problems, such as physical injuries from falling, fires from clutter, and disease from unsanitary conditions. You can learn more about this at my website HERE.
My sister won’t throw away her children’s bikes or clothes. They are now 24 and 21 years old. She became angry when I wouldn’t accept foot grips for ice.
The grip was broken and when I told her to throw it out, she became angrier. My brother-in-law told me when he wanted to throw out something else, she got in his face and said she would harm him if he threw her stuff out. She keeps the boxes when she gets a package.
Every room in their house is cluttered. I saw a change after she miscarried her first child. And for me, I lost my parents 24 days apart and I can’t give away my father’s suits. I am concerned. Am I a hoarder and is my sister?
Based on your description, it sounds like your sister has hoarding disorder, although she would need to see a mental health professional for a more certain diagnosis. You are not a hoarder just for holding onto your father’s suits, but if your home is cluttered and there are other things you can’t discard, then it could be a problem.
Dr. Monnica Williams is a board-certified licensed clinical psychologist and associate professor at the University of Connecticut. Dr. Williams’ research focuses on African-American mental health, culture, and psychopathology.
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