By Barbara L. Toohill, PsyD, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, The Antioch Group
I’m such a hoarder!” How many times have you heard a friend or family member make this claim, referring to his or her clutter or disorganization, or possibly even said it yourself? Despite, or possibly because of, the advent of reality television shows like TLC’s Hoarders: Buried Alive and A&E’s American Pickers, there is definitely more discussion of hoarding, but along with it, more misconceptions. Recent studies indicate that approximately two to six percent of the population suffers from a clinical hoarding disorder, as defined by the DSM-5; however, accurate estimates are difficult because many hoarders do not seek treatment and maintain significant secrecy around the extent or severity of their hoarding behavior.
Hoarding affects both men and women, and according to the DSM-5, symptoms are three times more prevalent in older adults. Conversation about hoarding often brings out the whole gamut of emotions and reactions in those discussing it; and yet, true hoarding is often a painful experience for both the individuals suffering from it and family members living both in and outside of the home.
As awareness of hoarding is increasing, it is important to understand what hoarding is and is not. Some key facts to consider:
- Hoarding is NOT average clutter. In hoarding, the amount of clutter is so significant that it often overwhelms the space, room, or even building to the point that it is unusable for its normal purpose. It often results in negative impact physically, psychologically, interpersonally, financially, and even legally. It can also have a significant negative impact on spouses and children living in the home as well as adult family members trying to care for and support the individual.
- Hoarding is NOT due to laziness. Hoarding is in the same family as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In most cases, hoarding behaviors are driven by underlying anxiety, depression, grief and loss, and poor coping skills. Additionally, many individuals demonstrate information processing deficits common to ADHD that cause them to struggle with organization and focus. Research suggests that a combination of these factors is a strong predictor of hoarding disorder.
- Hoarders are NOT happy living in the clutter. Many individuals who suffer from hoarding disorder experience a great deal of underlying shame and embarrassment about their behaviors and environment. Not only do their behaviors often have significant negative impact on their lives, but these individuals also often experience significant, and sometimes extreme, emotional distress or grief at the real or even threatened loss of items they have acquired or saved.
- A massive “clean sweep” alone does NOT fix the problem. While many well-intentioned friends or family members may offer, threaten, or even attempt to discard, donate, or otherwise remove hoarded items, clearing and sometimes renovating the space, this is often only a temporary solution and can sometimes make the underlying clinical disorder worse. Unless the individual receives proper treatment, which often includes a combination of medication and counseling, they are often at high risk of gradually returning to the behavior, and the traumatic grief of sudden removal of items can cause rebound hoarding, more severe psychological symptoms, and increased withdrawal from friends and family.
- Hoarders are NOT “weird” or “crazy.” While some individuals with hoarding disorder demonstrate what could be considered “eccentric” personality traits, many are very warm, kind, and compassionate individuals. They are often “people pleasers” and caregivers who have made an art of putting significant time and energy into caring for others’ needs outside their homes, while their own emotional and sometimes physical needs go unmet. In fact, one reason hoarding disorder has historically been so misunderstood is because so many of the people who suffer from it hide it so well.
Often, family members, community members, and friends question how they can help or intervene when they suspect someone they know may be suffering from a hoarding disorder. The best answer is to become educated on the disorder, communicate love and support, avoid enabling the behavior, and encourage the individual to seek treatment with a counselor specializing in OCD and/or hoarding disorder.
When immediate safety concerns are present, intervention can also be sought through the local Department of Children and Family Services, the local chapter of the Humane Society, the Public Health Department, and the Agency on Aging. Organizations like the International OCD Foundation (www.iocdf.org) can also provide education, support, and referrals for both individuals suffering from hoarding disorder and the people who love them.
If you need help or know someone who does, call today. To find out more information, please visit www.antiochgroup.com or call 309-692-6622.