Learning more about compulsive hoarding
I receive a number of e-mails from readers asking for personal help or help for friends and family members who suffer from compulsive hoarding. Whenever these requests come into my inbox, I feel a sense of helplessness because all I can do is guide them to other resources. Compulsive hoarding is a psychological and medical condition, similar to obsessive compulsive disorder, and requires treatment from a licensed, medical professional.
The magazine Psychology Today approximates that 2 million U.S. residents suffer from compulsive hoarding disorder. This diagnosis is usually made based on results to one or more of the following tests: The Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (Ham-A), the Global Assessment Scale (GAS), or the Clinical Global Impression/Improvement (CGI) scale. Psychiatrists and medical doctors make the official diagnosis, but, unfortunately, too many cases go undiagnosed.
A report published in June of 2006 in the Journal of Psychiatric Research found evidence that “SRI [serotonin reuptake inhibitors] medications are effective for compulsive hoarding,” and so many compulsive hoarders are finding help for their disorder with a combination of psychotherapy and SRIs. If you know someone who is a compulsive hoarder, I strongly recommend that you encourage them to seek medical treatment so that they can find some relief from this debilitating disorder.
If you’re interested in learning more about compulsive hoarding, the TLC network has a special called, “Help! I’m a Hoarder!” that will air again on August 10, at 9:00 p.m. Eastern. The show explores the symptoms and treatments of compulsive hoarding disorder. From the TLC’s website:
“More than a million Americans suffer from disposophobia – the fear of throwing anything away. Meet three individuals who face the devastating effects of compulsive hoarding. You’ll never look at your clutter in the same way again.”
This special aired last September, and my understanding is the August 10 episode is a re-broadcast of last year’s program. I can’t find documentation on TLC’s website to know for certain. So, if you missed the show last year, let me definitely recommend that you tune in this year to learn more about this paralyzing condition.
Posted by Erin on Aug 9, 2008 |
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20 comments posted
Posted by Soton - 08/09/2008
It is worth it to mention this site too:
http://www.ocfoundation.org/hoarding/
it has a survey for self-assessment.
Posted by Alex Fayle - 08/09/2008
As well for people with hoarding and other chronic disorganization issues, there’s the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization at http://www.nsgcd.org
Cheers,
Alex
Posted by Michelle - 08/09/2008
Here is a film on the topic, called “Possessed”. I thought I had seen it here on Unclutterer at one point.
http://www.vimeo.com/603058
Posted by Cecilia - 08/09/2008
Erin, as a counselor, I think it’s great that you publish this information on your site. Hopefully it will help a lot of people, even those who may be suffering this disorder withour knowing.
Well done!
Posted by Rebecca - 08/09/2008
Also, here is the website for the *adult* children of compulsive hoarders – a great resource/support website for those who grew up not knowing what normal really meant and who have to deal with parental hoarders – and all their stuff!
http://www.childrenofhoarders.com/bindex.php
Posted by Kate - 08/09/2008
What’s the opposite of disposophobia? Whatever it is, I’ve got that. I can hardly bear to *keep* anything which often gets me in trouble.
I guess Unclutterer is enabling me
Posted by STL Mom - 08/09/2008
Kate, would you please cough on your modem so I can catch your disorder?
Posted by Michael@ Awareness * Connection - 08/10/2008
As someone in the mental health field, I also have to say hats off for the important and accurate info. For those reading, keep in mind that this is not garden variety keeping of too much stuff. This is a debilitating disorder that by definition, like all mental disorders, interferes with either relationships, work or both. In some cases the person will feel compelled to keep materials useless scraps of styrofoam. Like other forms of OCD they can tell you that it makes no sense and that they want to be rid of it, but they feel absolutely compelled to save it though they may not be able to supply any reason for why.
My father as an HVAC contractor occasionally ends up in homes of people with hoarding issues where the entire house for instance is filled with stacks of newspaper with only tight pathways remaining going through the middle of the rooms, and virtually no living space remaining.
And like other forms of OCD, depression and anxiety disorders either psychotherapy or medication can be helpful and the combo is usually more helpful than either by itself. Though therapy has the added benefit that the gains tend to last indefinitely whereas gains from medication disappear shortly after the medication is discontinued.
Fascinating how our brains work, and how they can create very peculiar behaviors in us when something is amiss.
Thanks for an important post.
Posted by Cubicle Hacker - 08/10/2008
I better get on the phone and tell my brothers and mom. They love accumulating crap. One room has so much stuff it will take hours before it burns completely and move to the rest of the house. I guess I’m a half full kind of guy.
Seriously, I never thought this was a disorder. I was raised by a hoarder mom and never really thought it was wrong. It didn’t make sense to me and I found it annoying and useless but that is why I moved out of the house.
Man, I guess we all have something we need to work out of our childhoods, forgive and forget, appreciate our parent s, move on, grow up and keep moving.
Live is dynamic so our minds. Get with the program and enjoy that half glass
http://www.cubiclehacks.com
Posted by David Beach - 08/10/2008
Is it odd that I collect stories on hoarding ?
Posted by Di - 08/10/2008
David, me too! My mom is a packrat, not a hoarder, but I still find it all fascinating and very sad.
Posted by h20 - 08/10/2008
david, as a collector, you’ll collect anything, including stories on hoarding….
I don’t know you, but I also collect stories on hoarding, plus all the books (a full bookcase) to cure the habit, but it seems the most difficult thing to let go off are those stories and the bookcase full of books by sandra felton, don aslett etc etc
Posted by Beth - 08/11/2008
We have 2 20×30 tents in our back yard. My husband admits that he is anxious. I am not the cleanest person.
He goes to counseling but it doesnt do much. Mostly because he needs this stuff for e-bay.
Beth Green
Sorry I missed your show
Posted by christa - 08/11/2008
How do you know the difference between knowing whether someone just keeps too much stuff, a packrat and a hoarder? I don’t think my parents are hoarders, but they definately have too much stuff. I think I learned my fear of throwing stuff away from my father, however instead of just keeping it, I choose to recycle or give/donate responsibly. That makes me feel better about getting rid of stuff.
I also know people who don’t necessarily hoard, they are just dirty, messy people.
What is the criteria for diagnosing a hoarder as opposed to other types of disorders?
Posted by aneca - 08/11/2008
i have become so depressed about the state of my house that i am suicidal. what medications have helped anyone out there? i have chronic pain and fatigue as well which makes it hard to make any efforts alone. our house is so small and claustrophobic that i just wish it would burn down so we could start over.
Posted by Ida - 08/11/2008
Dear Aneca,
Please know that there is always help and hope. Please reach out to those in your family or you city, even a suicide prevention hot line…
I know things can feel beyond help, but they are not. The first step to seeking help is the hardest but worth taking.
Posted by P - 08/14/2008
I grew up with a mom with hoarding OCD and now have a husband with another type of OCD. If a person is willing to get help (which it sounds like you are, Aenca), then that is the biggest hurdle you’ve already crossed.
Medication is EXTREMELY effective and is used as ‘water wings’ to take off the edge while you get what they call CBT therapy. That’s what really nips it in the bud. Go to http://www.ocfoundation.org/ to find therapist trained specifically in CBT. Traditional therapy (talk therapy) does nothing to treat ocd, but CBT is very effective and typically is very short therapy to get big results. (Its not like you’ll be in therapy for years–it’s relatively quick and then you may need ‘touch ups’ from time to time). You don’t have to live with this condition ruling your life. I only wish the people in my life would have chosen to seek help. Good luck to you and I’d advise you to find a therapist this very week. You deserve to be happy and it’s possible!
Posted by Kir - 08/26/2008
Kate,
I am the opposite too. I can’t think when the house, my purse, or a drawer is too cluttered. I actually am looking for anyone who can tell me this is a real issue because it gets me in trouble too. Have you any information on the opposite of disposophobia? I’d love to know.
Kir
Posted by Daniel - 09/20/2008
For years and years and years, I kept trying to find out what was wrong with me. Did I have a stroke and that’s why I couldn’t easily make decisions, and no longer organize any of my things? Was it residual symptoms of bipolar disorder or part of narcolepsy? Maybe all the medications over the years for both disorders had caused an organic change in my brain, or maybe just a side effect of my medications. Why have I lost all of my friends, why do I isolate myself? Why do I have three feet of junk every where, no clear paths, walking on three feet of ??? whatever was there had become the norm. I didn’t have OCD, or prader-willy syndrome, or other disorders where hoarding has been found more common. Three days ago I accidentally read an article on compulsive hoarding, and features that distinguish it from OCD and other psychiatric disorders. As for medication treatment mentioned, I complained for years to my psychiatrist that SSRI’s relieved depression, but also made me apathetic. That was also mentioned in the article! Unlike OCD, where extremely high doses of SSRI’s have proven extremely beneficial, they often do not work with people who have compulsive hoarding, yet do not have full OCD diagnostic criteria.
I had no idea. The associated features of non-OCD hoarders read as if I had written them describing myself.
Posted by Tim - 11/24/2008
Here is the program referenced in the article-
Part One – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=daKsMsa8YAc
Part Two – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHMvx9ts5Ug
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