Hoarding is a disorder that affects approximately 2 million people in the United States alone. It consumes their life affecting every part of it, including family and friends. Because it is mostly associated with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), it is one of the least studied subtypes. There is still a lot to learn about this mental disorder often associated with obsessive compulsive disorder. Hoarding has only recently become a focus in the psychological world and so much of it is still unknown.
Hoarding or disposophobia is a mental disorder in which one will obsessively collect items and will not discard anything. These items can be books, clothing, antiques, collectables, animals and in drastic cases, food. Their apartments, homes and land become cluttered and unsanitary with items they have collected over a long period of time. Mobility is greatly impaired by the excessive clutter leading to serious hazards. Bugs and rodents may infest the home, the structure of the home may become compromised and the utilities may be disconnected. A hoarder can be from a child to an elderly person. It can be genetic or caused by a traumatic situation. Hoarding affects not only the hoarder themselves but also family and friends. It is also a very costly condition due to the fact that hoarders continuously purchase items unnecessarily.
A hoarder dislikes discarding anything that may have potential value whether it be to them or someone else. Whenever someone else throws something away it is like treasure to a hoarder. They may drive down the road and see a discarded item someone has left by the curb and pick it up. Some hoarders will even dumpster dive to find anything of value. Hoarders can vary in what they collect. Most though will collect books, clothing, knick knacks or pets in excess. There are some who “collect” food and refuse to discard it even when it is old and moldy. Books line shelves, are stacked on the floors, on books, tables and chairs. Clothing is scattered everywhere and you may find clothing from most of a hoarder’s life in their closet. Hoarders who have children whether young or grown may have their clothing from prior years refusing to discard of it. Knick Knacks may be scattered all over a home collecting dust and cobwebs. Items in basements have the potential of being exposed to moisture and causing mold to grow. In some cases toxic molds. Otherwise healthy people become sick when residing in the home of a hoarder.
Some hoarders recognize they have a serious problem yet they are scared, have a sense of hopelessness and/or fall into a severe depression. They don’t know where to turn when it comes to cleaning up their home. It’s too embarrassing to reach out for help. This doesn’t mean they don’t want help because a hoarder can easily become overwhelmed and shut down. Hoarders can have anxiety or panic attacks when confronted with stressful situations, which is another way they cope besides their typical hoarding. There are times when everyone from family to friends will turn their backs on the hoarder. Children of hoarders move on with their lives and sever ties out of frustration. Spouses or significant others may separate or file for divorce. Financially, a hoarder may be cut off from help because of excessive spending. This can be due to the misinformation or misunderstanding about hoarding. Family and friends may be tired of dealing with hoarder having attempted to help them in the past. Everything is a mess and to them it feels as if it will never get done. Unfortunately this is reality unless they are able to reach out and find the appropriate help.
Treatment of hoarding is life long although in some cases it is successful. It takes a combination of things to help the hoarder attempt to live as normal a life as possible. There is no cure for hoarding, just treatment. Medication is one main component of treatment. Many hoarders also have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Compulsive hoarding affects an estimated two-thirds of the approximate 7 to 8 million OCD suffers in the United States. The frontal lobe of the brain is affected by this and the only way to help get it under control is with medication. Therapy in combination with medication can help the hoarder improve their life as long as they continue to maintain it. However, it also takes a support system to encourage the hoarder for long term success. The hoarder will need life long encouragement to continue keeping the disorder under control.
This entry was posted on Monday, July 5th, 2010 at 5:26 pm and is filed under Health Chasinglions. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.
