Hoarding

What is Hoarding Disorder?

Hoarding Disorder occurs when a person has difficulty discarding items that have no apparent use or value to them. The retaining of these possessions results in excessive clutter and impairs the functioning of the person’s living space and, as a result, can harm relationships with others, especially those in the home or wanting to visit.

Typically, there are three reasons people save these items:

· Sentimental value

· Intended use or function

· Intrinsic beauty

Although these valuations underlie the rationale for why most people save things, for people with Hoarding Disorder, the value attached to possessions is applied more broadly and experienced more intensely and can reach a point where the individual items are lost within the clutter and the individual’s worry about their possessions has overtaken their ability to live comfortably.

In many cases, people with Hoarding Disorder also struggle with acquiring, whether it’s collecting free items, making purchases at discounted prices, or inheriting possessions from others.

Who Gets Hoarding Disorder?

• Approximately 80%-90% of people with Hoarding Disorder also struggle with excessive acquisition (DSM-5-TR)
• Rates of Hoarding Disorder vary greatly due in part to a lack of self-disclosure and awareness about the disorder, but range from 1.5% to 6% (DSM-5-TR)
• Symptoms often first emerge before the age of 19, although typically do not seek treatment until their 50s, despite the clinically significant impairment often occurring by 30s (DSM-5-TR)

THERE ARE 5 LEVELS OF HOARDING

You can see the levels and photo examples of each below.

Level 1 Hoard -Very minor clutter that causes no issues with functionality. 

Level 2 Hoard – Typically horizontal surfaces are covered, including countertops, tables, desks, etc. but the home is still usable and there is open floor spaces.

Level 3 Hoard – In addition to horizontal surfaces being filled, the perimeters of rooms start filling as well, encroaching on the living spaces.

Level 4 Hoard – No floors are starting to fill up and functionality is almost nonexistent. There are limited access to many parts of the home.

Level 5 Hoard – The most severe hoards where rooms are not able to be entered; ingress and egress can be completely blocked; the weight of the contents themselves put stress on the structure and become a fire hazard; there are rodent and insect infestations; potential structural hazards and fire dangers present; odors are typically very strong and neighbors may be complaining.

How is Hoarding Disorder Treated?

The crux of treatment is a cognitive behavioral therapy protocol specifically designed for Hoarding Disorder. This includes understanding the root causes of a person’s difficulties with parting with items, learning how to reduce acquiring, developing decision-making skills regarding saving and discarding, and changing beliefs about possessions.

When creating a multidisciplinary treatment team, it is important to ensure that all service providers are knowledgeable about Hoarding Disorder and related co-occurring issues. This team may be comprised of clinicians, prescribers, professional organizers, professional cleaning crews, and family members. Contact The OCD Counseling Services today to discuss and help address your individual needs.