What is Obsessive Compulsive Hoarding? Is this another type of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?

Due to a felt desire to conserve the objects, people with Obsessive Compulsive Hoarding Disorder have a persistently difficult time getting rid of or parting with possessions. When attempting to part with possessions, great distress results, which influences decisions to keep them. The resulting mess makes it difficult to use living spaces (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).

Image taken from: https://www.apa.org/monitor/2020/04/ce-corner-hoarding

“Collecting” is different from Obsessive Compulsive Hoarding or simply Hoarding. The majority of the time, collectors make planned, deliberate, and specific purchases. Once obtained, the things are taken out of regular use but may be arranged, enjoyed, and presented to others.

Signs of Hoarding

· Storing or collecting things that have little or no monetary value

· Thinking that items are one of a kind and can be required in the future

· Finding it difficult to arrange and classify things

Image taken from: https://www.bridgestorerecovery.com

· Finding it hard to make a decision

· Facing struggle in completing day to day tasks like cleaning, washing and cooking meal and paying bills

· Having strong attachments to their collected items and refusal to let anyone lay a hand on or even use them

· Being perfectionist, procrastinator, difficulty to organize items

· Having weak social relationships with their family and friends due to this tendency

What causes a person to become a Hoarder?

Image source: https://www.compass-support.org.uk/our-services/hoarding/

Researchers have pointed to potential causes for a person to become hoarder:

· Altered Brain Connections

· Serotonin and OCD

· Inheritance

· Environmental Factors

Image source: https://www.theodysseyonline.com/clothes-hoarding-is-real

· Stressful Life Situations

· Family History

· Other mental health conditions such as: social interactions, bipolar disorder, specific phobias or fears, anxiety and depression may lead to compulsive hoarding behavior. It is seen that hoarders usually involve in substance abuse especially alcohol dependence.

· Age factor: Hoarding is more common in older adults than in younger ones.

Image taken from: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2011/05/02/135919186/-big-clean-out-is-no-cure-for-hoarding

Is Hoarding Treatable?

Hoarding can be treated with medication as well as psychotherapy.

Image source: https://thinkcbt.com/cbt-for-hoarding-disorder

Psychotherapy’s most common type is cognitive behavioral therapy. Find a trained and licensed psychotherapist and seek help. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can help you in ways like:

· Identify your core beliefs

· Make you learn to avoid the urge to store more items

· Make you learn how you can organize your stuff and classify your possessions

· Polish your decision making skills

· Try to socialize and avoid being isolated

Image source: https://www.apa.org/monitor/2020/04/ce-corner-hoarding

· Attend all the family and individual sessions arranged by your therapist