Hoarding Disorder

Hoarding disorder (HD) is a mental health condition characterized by a compulsive inclination to acquire and accumulate material possessions, coupled with challenges in letting go of excessive clutter.

Understanding Hoarding Disorder

Hoarding disorder (HD) constitutes a mental disorder wherein individuals feel compelled to save and gather new items, struggle with discarding current belongings, and amass an excess of household clutter. It’s often regarded as a subtype of obsessive-compulsive disorder and is also termed compulsive hoarding disorder. Nevertheless, experts argue that it merits recognition as a distinct disorder with its own distinctive set of symptoms.

Individuals afflicted with this condition exhibit cognitive distortions tied to hoarding and engage in behaviors that can disrupt their daily lives. They find themselves caught in a cycle of accumulating items, regardless of their actual value or utility, and stacking them in their living spaces. This persistent pattern of behavior can compromise not only their overall hygiene and well-being but also that of those around them.

Examining the psychological aspects of hoarding, it becomes evident that individuals with this disorder often derive a significant portion of their self-worth from their material possessions. Over the past two decades, the incidence of hoarding disorder cases has been on the rise. Research indicates that 2–14% of the global population exhibits symptoms of compulsive hoarding. The prevalence of this disorder is higher among men than women, the elderly population, and individuals with certain psychiatric disorders (such as obsessive-compulsive disorder and stress disorders). However, the personal nature of hoarding and the associated stigma related to seeking mental health treatment often deter individuals from seeking appropriate medical attention.

Illustrative Example

For instance, consider the case of Mr. Shetty, a 60-year-old man. He had a habit of retaining unnecessary items such as old newspapers and magazines spanning years, empty containers of toiletries, and worn-out clothes and accessories. While his hoarding tendencies became increasingly conspicuous over time, it seemed that he had been amassing these objects for decades. His garage overflowed with spare car parts for vehicles he no longer owned, along with boxes filled with an assortment of cords, defunct phones, outdated gadgets, and other non-functional items. He grew upset whenever his son or daughter attempted to clear out his possessions, with these attempts sometimes triggering him to hoard even more in defiance. He appeared to find solace in his possessions, viewing them as symbols of his existence and evidence of a meaningful life. Notably, he was oblivious to the possibility of having a problem.

A deeper exploration reveals that Mr. Shetty’s hoarding tendencies began a few months after the passing of his father, roughly 25 years ago. Since that time, he had become fixated on retaining material possessions, driven by a fear that he would leave behind nothing of significance when he departed from this world.

Analysis of the Case

The example above illustrates that Mr. Shetty experienced difficulties in letting go of his belongings, resulting in an accumulation of excess items that cluttered his living space. These symptoms align with a classic case of hoarding disorder characterized by a lack of insight. Mr. Shetty’s sense of identity was closely intertwined with every possession he had ever owned.

Symptoms of Hoarding Disorder

The primary symptoms of hoarding disorder encompass:

Persistent challenges in discarding possessions.

Significant distress linked to discarding items.

Accumulation of possessions leading to clutter in living areas.

In addition, it’s often observed that the living space of an individual with hoarding disorder becomes increasingly restricted for use and typically requires intervention from another person to clear.

Variations of Hoarding Disorder

According to research, hoarding disorders can be categorized into several types:

Trash Hoarding: Involves retaining items that have lost value, are beyond repair, or serve no purpose. Items commonly accumulated by trash hoarders include old electronics, dated magazines, empty containers, cans, and glass bottles.

Food Hoarding: This involves accumulating edible items that contribute to living area clutter. Food hoarders collect “extra” food in anticipation of emergencies or natural disasters.

Compulsive Shopping and Hoarding: Some individuals with hoarding disorder exhibit excessive and indiscriminate shopping behaviors, frequently exceeding their intended budget. When combined with hoarding disorder, compulsive shopping is clinically referred to as compulsive buying disorder (CBD).

Animal Hoarding: This type pertains to individuals who hoard animals, often dogs or cats. Such individuals are resistant to parting with animals, even those that are sick, dying, or deceased. Attempts to remove animals can evoke immense distress.

Sentimental Hoarding: Individuals with sentimental hoarding tendencies hold onto items tied to significant life events or loved ones. This can include items that evoke memories or mementos from specific places or experiences.

Causes of Hoarding Disorder

Research attributes the development of hoarding disorder to a combination of genetic factors, reinforcement of beliefs regarding reasons to preserve objects, and susceptibility to avoidant behaviors.