General description
Hoarding disorder is a persistent difficulty discarding or separating belongings, as there is a perception that they need to be put away. A person with compulsive hoarding disorder becomes distressed at the idea of detaching himself from objects. There is an excessive accumulation of objects, regardless of their real value.
In general, compulsive hoarding creates such crowded living conditions that houses can become completely crowded, with narrow hallways winding through piles of objects. Countertops, sinks, kitchens, decks, stairs, and just about any other surface are often cluttered with things. And when there is no more room inside, clutter can spread to the garage, vehicles, patio, and other storage locations.
Hoarding ranges from mild to severe disorder. In some cases, compulsive hoarding may not affect your life to a great extent, while in other cases it seriously affects your day-to-day functioning.
People with hoarding disorder may not see it as a problem, making treatment difficult. However, intensive treatment can help people with the disorder understand how they can change their beliefs and behaviors so that they can live a safer and more enjoyable life.
Symptoms
Acquiring and storing excessive amounts of objects, gradually accumulating clutter in living spaces, and having difficulty disposing of things are often the first signs and symptoms of hoarding disorder, which often appears between adolescence and early adulthood.
As a person grows, they usually begin to acquire things for which there is not an immediate need or enough space. When adulthood is reached, symptoms are often severe and can be more difficult to treat.
Hoarding problems manifest progressively over time and are usually private behavior. Clutter is often already significant when it begins to attract the attention of others.
These are some of the signs and symptoms:
Acquire excessively objects that are not necessary and for which there is no space
Have a persistent difficulty discarding or disposing of your things, regardless of their real value
Feeling the need to put away these objects and worrying about getting rid of them
Accumulate clutter to the point that rooms become unusable
Tend to indecision, perfectionism, avoidance, procrastination, and planning and organization problems
Over-purchasing items and refusing to discard them result in:
Disorganized piles or piles of objects, such as newspapers, clothing, papers, books, or items with sentimental value
Belongings that accumulate and create disorder in the passage and living areas and render the spaces unusable for the intended purposes, such as not being able to cook in the kitchen or use the bathroom to bathe
Accumulation of food or garbage to unusually excessive and unhealthy levels
Major grief or problems getting along or ensuring your safety and that of others in your home
Conflicts with people trying to reduce or eliminate clutter in your home
Difficulty organizing items and sometimes losing important items in the clutter
People with hoarding disorder often put away objects because:
They believe these items are unique or that they will need them at some point in the future
Items have significant emotional significance, act as mementos of happier times, or depict loved people or pets
They feel more secure when surrounded by the things they keep
They don't want to waste anything
Hoarding disorder is different from collecting. People who have collections, such as stamps or toy cars, deliberately search for specific objects, classify them, and carefully display their collections. Although collections can be large, they are not usually cluttered or cause the grief and disabilities that are part of hoarding disorder.
Compulsive hoarding of animals
People who hoard animals can accumulate dozens or even hundreds of pets. Animals can be confined indoors or outdoors. Due to the large number, these animals often do not receive adequate care. The health and safety of the person and animals are at risk due to unsanitary conditions.
When to see the doctor
If you or a loved one have symptoms of hoarding disorder, talk to a doctor or mental health professional as soon as possible. Some communities have institutions that help solve hoarding problems. Check with your local or county government for resources in your region.
As difficult as it may be, if your loved one's hoarding disorder threatens health or safety, you may need to contact local authorities, such as the police, fire, public health authorities, protection of children or the elderly, or animal welfare organizations.
Causes
The causes of hoarding disorder are unclear. Genetics, brain function, and stressful life events are being studied as possible causes.
Risk factor's
Hoarding typically begins around the age of 11-15 and tends to worsen with age. Hoarding is more common in older adults than in younger adults.
Risk factors are as follows:
Personality. Many people with hoarding disorder have indecisive temperaments, among other traits.
Family background. There is a close relationship between having a family member with hoarding disorder and having this disorder.
Stressful life events. Some people develop hoarding disorder after a stressful event that is difficult to cope with, such as the death of a loved one, a divorce, an eviction, or losing possessions in a fire.
Complications
Hoarding disorder can cause multiple complications, including:
Increased risk of falls
Injury or risk of being caught in the middle of items that are turned or dropped
Family problems
Loneliness and social isolation
Unsanitary conditions that put health at risk
Risk of fire
Poor performance at work
Legal problems, such as an eviction
Other mental health disorders
Many people with hoarding disorder also have other mental health disorders, such as:
Depression
Anxiety disorders
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Prevention
Because little is known about the causes of hoarding disorder, there is no known way to prevent it. However, like many mental illnesses, getting treatment at the first sign of a problem can help prevent hoarding from getting worse.
#Hoarderswhycauses
#causesofhoarders
#whatabouthoarders
Hoarding disorder is a persistent difficulty discarding or separating belongings, as there is a perception that they need to be put away. A person with compulsive hoarding disorder becomes distressed at the idea of detaching himself from objects. There is an excessive accumulation of objects, regardless of their real value.
In general, compulsive hoarding creates such crowded living conditions that houses can become completely crowded, with narrow hallways winding through piles of objects. Countertops, sinks, kitchens, decks, stairs, and just about any other surface are often cluttered with things. And when there is no more room inside, clutter can spread to the garage, vehicles, patio, and other storage locations.
Hoarding ranges from mild to severe disorder. In some cases, compulsive hoarding may not affect your life to a great extent, while in other cases it seriously affects your day-to-day functioning.
People with hoarding disorder may not see it as a problem, making treatment difficult. However, intensive treatment can help people with the disorder understand how they can change their beliefs and behaviors so that they can live a safer and more enjoyable life.
Symptoms
Acquiring and storing excessive amounts of objects, gradually accumulating clutter in living spaces, and having difficulty disposing of things are often the first signs and symptoms of hoarding disorder, which often appears between adolescence and early adulthood.
As a person grows, they usually begin to acquire things for which there is not an immediate need or enough space. When adulthood is reached, symptoms are often severe and can be more difficult to treat.
Hoarding problems manifest progressively over time and are usually private behavior. Clutter is often already significant when it begins to attract the attention of others.
These are some of the signs and symptoms:
Acquire excessively objects that are not necessary and for which there is no space
Have a persistent difficulty discarding or disposing of your things, regardless of their real value
Feeling the need to put away these objects and worrying about getting rid of them
Accumulate clutter to the point that rooms become unusable
Tend to indecision, perfectionism, avoidance, procrastination, and planning and organization problems
Over-purchasing items and refusing to discard them result in:
Disorganized piles or piles of objects, such as newspapers, clothing, papers, books, or items with sentimental value
Belongings that accumulate and create disorder in the passage and living areas and render the spaces unusable for the intended purposes, such as not being able to cook in the kitchen or use the bathroom to bathe
Accumulation of food or garbage to unusually excessive and unhealthy levels
Major grief or problems getting along or ensuring your safety and that of others in your home
Conflicts with people trying to reduce or eliminate clutter in your home
Difficulty organizing items and sometimes losing important items in the clutter
People with hoarding disorder often put away objects because:
They believe these items are unique or that they will need them at some point in the future
Items have significant emotional significance, act as mementos of happier times, or depict loved people or pets
They feel more secure when surrounded by the things they keep
They don't want to waste anything
Hoarding disorder is different from collecting. People who have collections, such as stamps or toy cars, deliberately search for specific objects, classify them, and carefully display their collections. Although collections can be large, they are not usually cluttered or cause the grief and disabilities that are part of hoarding disorder.
Compulsive hoarding of animals
People who hoard animals can accumulate dozens or even hundreds of pets. Animals can be confined indoors or outdoors. Due to the large number, these animals often do not receive adequate care. The health and safety of the person and animals are at risk due to unsanitary conditions.
When to see the doctor
If you or a loved one have symptoms of hoarding disorder, talk to a doctor or mental health professional as soon as possible. Some communities have institutions that help solve hoarding problems. Check with your local or county government for resources in your region.
As difficult as it may be, if your loved one's hoarding disorder threatens health or safety, you may need to contact local authorities, such as the police, fire, public health authorities, protection of children or the elderly, or animal welfare organizations.
Causes
The causes of hoarding disorder are unclear. Genetics, brain function, and stressful life events are being studied as possible causes.
Risk factor's
Hoarding typically begins around the age of 11-15 and tends to worsen with age. Hoarding is more common in older adults than in younger adults.
Risk factors are as follows:
Personality. Many people with hoarding disorder have indecisive temperaments, among other traits.
Family background. There is a close relationship between having a family member with hoarding disorder and having this disorder.
Stressful life events. Some people develop hoarding disorder after a stressful event that is difficult to cope with, such as the death of a loved one, a divorce, an eviction, or losing possessions in a fire.
Complications
Hoarding disorder can cause multiple complications, including:
Increased risk of falls
Injury or risk of being caught in the middle of items that are turned or dropped
Family problems
Loneliness and social isolation
Unsanitary conditions that put health at risk
Risk of fire
Poor performance at work
Legal problems, such as an eviction
Other mental health disorders
Many people with hoarding disorder also have other mental health disorders, such as:
Depression
Anxiety disorders
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Prevention
Because little is known about the causes of hoarding disorder, there is no known way to prevent it. However, like many mental illnesses, getting treatment at the first sign of a problem can help prevent hoarding from getting worse.
#Hoarderswhycauses
#causesofhoarders
#whatabouthoarders
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