Hoarding
A common problem that is often hidden
Recent studies site that up to 5% of the population struggles with significant hoarding problems.
What is compulsive hoarding?
Compulsive hoarding includes the following:
- A person has an over abundance of clutter, some items may seem to have some value but others do not.
- Their living space is almost inhabitable - it is common that walking in their home could be difficult often with items falling because the piles are so large.
- The hoarding causes day-to-day distress and affects the person's personal relationships.
Why is it harmful to people?
- Severe hoarding can cause a variety of health problems that can be devastating. These health issues can include breathing problems, contamination from mold and rotting food which can lead to hospitalization.
- Frequently hoarder's homes are a fire and health hazard and will be condemned by the city. This can lead to evictions and possible homelessness.
- Hoarding can be devastating to family relationships and can lead to severe isolation and depression of the person who hoards.
- If children live with parents who are hoarders, their emotional and physical well-being is dramatically affected. They are often isolated, embarrassed and subjected to unsanitary health conditions. Children tend to take responsibility for the condition of their home which leads to self blame, depression and social isolation. In some cases the children become hoarders themselves.
Research on hoarding has found that a lot hoarders start hoarding in their teenage years but do not seek treatment until it is really affecting their lives and relationships. Most people seek treatment in their fifties.
Treatment – how does one get help?
Treatment for hoarding often includes for following:
Similar to other anxiety based disorders, cognitive-behavioral therapy that is specifically tailored to the characteristics of the compulsive hoarder has been found to work with many clients.
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The treatment plan would focus on:
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Reducing clutter
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Improving decision making skills
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Improving or developing organizational techniques
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Many times a professional organizer is hired to start to train the person who hoards in how to develop organizational techniques. Organizing may come easy to some people but certainly not everyone; especially people who have a tendency to hoard.
What can family members do?
Being a family member to a person who is a compulsive hoarder is very difficult. Here are a few tips on what to do:
- Educate yourself about hoarding in order to gain a better understanding of what your family member may be going through.
- Have compassion and recognize the problem as a mental health issue. Hoarders cannot merely get rid of their stuff. Each item has meaning to them and or they have plans for each item. Having patience but not giving up on them is the first step.
- Work with them and not against them. Point out the hazards of their home but respect their difficulty in being able to discard their items. Help them clear the most dangerous areas (door ways, the kitchen and bathroom).
- Find other positive and influential family members to help encourage them to get help.
For more information on hoarding visit San Francisco Bay Area center for Cognitive Therapy and The International OCD Foundation.