Is your home cluttered with unnecessary items? This could be Hoarding Disorder!

Have you ever seen a house filled with old newspapers, used plastic bottles, broken furniture, and clothes you haven't worn in years? The stuff is piled up so much that you can barely walk around. If you try to get rid of these things, the person living in that house gets extremely angry or very sad. We often think of this as boredom and untidiness. But in fact, this can be a mental health condition called Hoarding Disorder , which requires treatment. Let's talk about this simply today.

Simply put, what is Hoarding Disorder?

Hoarding Disorder is a mental health condition. A person with this condition finds it very difficult to get rid of things, even those that have no value. They have an overwhelming need to collect and keep those things. Trying to get rid of those things causes them unbearable stress, sadness, and anxiety .

What are these things that are being collected?

• Old newspapers, magazines
• Empty bottles, plastic cups, cans
• Household items that haven't been used in years
• Old clothes that are never worn
• Broken electronics, toys

Sometimes this situation can even go as far as animal hoarding. That is, they bring a large number of animals like dogs and cats into their homes, but they are unable to properly care for them and feed and water them.

This accumulation of belongings has a major impact on their normal lives. The home becomes cluttered, untidy, and sometimes even dangerous situations (fires, falls) can arise. This can lead to problems with family and friends, and can lead to social isolation.

Is Hoarding Disorder a type of OCD? Or is it a separate disorder?

Many people think that this is part of the Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). In fact, that's how doctors used to classify it. OCD and Hoarding Disorder are like two relatives in the same family. They both have some similarities.

But new research has found that Hoarding Disorder is a separate mental condition that should be recognized . Some people can have Hoarding Disorder without any other mental illness. Therefore, in the current classification of mental illnesses (`DSM-V`), it belongs to the OCD spectrum, but is considered a separate disorder.

What is the difference between collecting and hoarding?

This is also a very important question. Some people collect things like stamps, coins, and old books. So is that also hoarding? No. There is a big difference between the two. Let's look at that difference in a table.

Who is affected the most by this situation?

Hoarding Disorder usually starts in adolescence (around 15-19 years old) and gradually increases as you get older. By the time you reach your 30s, it can become a major problem.

This condition is most commonly seen in:

• Among those over 60 years of age.
• Among those with other mental health problems, especially depression and anxiety .

What are the main symptoms?

Some people with this condition realize that collecting all their stuff is a problem. But many don't accept it as a problem. They think that all of this will be useful someday.

The main features are:

• The inability to remove anything.
• Trying to get rid of something causes unbearable stress and sadness.
• Always thinking, "I'll need this someday."
• Not being able to decide where to put things.
• Not wanting anyone else to touch their belongings.
• Rooms, kitchens, and living rooms are so full of stuff that they are unusable.
• This shame leads to distancing oneself from friends and relatives and trying to live alone.

Why do they feel like collecting stuff like this?

There could be several reasons for that. Here's how they think:

• "This old newspaper will come in handy someday." (I hope it will be useful)
• "This is what my grandmother gave me. I can't take it away." (Gives great sentimental value)
• "You won't find one like this again." (I think it's more special than anything else)
• "I got this at a big discount. It would be a shame to get rid of it." (It's cheap so it's tempting to get rid of it)
• "When I see this, it reminds me of that incident." (Keeping it as a reminder)
• "I can't decide whether to keep this or get rid of it." (I'm keeping it because it's hard to make a decision.)

Causes and risk factors for Hoarding Disorder

The exact cause of this is not yet known, but researchers believe that it may be due to changes in the way the brain processes information. For example, they may have difficulties with planning, problem-solving, and organization.

Hoarding Disorder can occur alone or in conjunction with other mental health conditions. The most commonly associated conditions are:

• Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD)
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Depression

In addition, several other risk factors have been identified:

• Someone in the family has this condition (hereditary influence).
• An accident or injury to the brain.
• A severe traumatic event in life (e.g., death of a loved one, divorce).
• Impulsive buying .
• Inability to refuse freebies (coupons, flyers).
• Drug or alcohol addiction.
• Some genetic conditions, such as Prader-Willi syndrome.

How is this condition diagnosed and treated?

This is the biggest challenge. It is rare for someone with Hoarding Disorder to admit they have a problem and ask for help. Most often, help is sought by family and friends who are concerned about them.

If you suspect that someone in your family or someone you know has this condition, the best thing to do is to see a doctor for advice. Especially if the situation at home is unhealthy or dangerous, you should definitely seek medical advice.

A doctor looks for three main things to diagnose this condition:

1. The persistent difficulty in throwing away things, whether they have value or not.

2. Feeling a strong need to keep things and experiencing severe stress when thinking about throwing them away.

3. Living spaces (rooms, kitchens) are so full of things that they cannot be used for their basic needs.

What are the treatments?

Two main treatment methods are used for this.

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This is a talking therapy. By talking to a psychiatrist or counselor, you can learn things like why you collect things, how to control the anxiety you feel when you get rid of them, how to organize things, and how to make decisions. This is a very effective treatment.
• Medication: In some cases, your doctor may prescribe medication. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), especially those for depression and anxiety, can help some people manage their symptoms.

What happens if left untreated?

If left untreated, this condition can worsen over time.

• Due to lack of space at home, daily tasks such as cooking, bathing, and sleeping are not possible.
• Dirt can cause health problems .
• Stacking items increases the risk of accidents such as fires and falls .
• Problems arise with family members, which can even lead to divorce and loss of custody of children.
• Feeling socially isolated and lonely .

So, don't take this lightly. This is a mental health issue, not a lethargy. The sooner you get help, the better your life can be.

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