What is Hoarding
Hoarding is the hot topic among addiction reality television shows. A&E has its show, “Hoarders,” and TLC has its version called “Hoarding: Buried Alive ” And while its ratings come due to the car wreck gawking appeal it may bring, hoarding is a very real psychological issue.
Hoarding, also referred to as compulsive hoarding and compulsive hoarding syndrome, is so shocking and baffling to most people in the general public. This is compounded by the fact that many hoarders don’t even think they have a problem… even when they have to walk over their belongings. How can someone not see that they have a problem? Some hoarders do realize that they have a problem, but don’t know where to go or what to do to change their behavior.
Once you get down to the psychology of hoarding, it is easier to empathize with those who suffer with the disorder. Hoarding is classified as a type of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Some mental health researchers disagree with the classification. They will say that while some people with OCD have hoarding behavior, hoarding is not specific to OCD.
While the causes of hoarding are still shrouded in some mystery, there are some basic risk factors to be considered:
- If you have a family history of hoarding, you are more likely to succumb to the condition
- Stressful life events are associated with hoarding, particularly after the death of a loved one, or a divorce.
- Hoarders are often isolated socially. Sometimes it’s the hoarding that leads to one’s social isolation, and other times the person turns to hoarding as a sort of comfort when they are lonely.
- While we may often associate perfectionism with people who are “neat freaks,” this can also be a risk factor for hoarding. They worry about making the right decision of keeping something or getting rid of it that they set aside the decision altogether.
Hoarding Treatments
Sometimes medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a type of antidepressant, are used. But often the choice is therapy. Cognitive behavior therapy is the most common form of psychotherapy that is implemented in the treatment of hoarding. Call 877-799-8773 for help
