Hoarding

Hoarding disorder is characterized by persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions, regardless of their actual value. Individuals with hoarding disorder have an intense emotional attachment to their belongings, and the accumulation of possessions leads to clutter in living spaces. As a result, their living spaces become cluttered, making it challenging to use rooms for their intended purposes.

  • Difficulty Disregarding:

    • Persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions, even if they have little or no actual value.

  • Excessive Accumulation:

    • The accumulation of a large number of possessions that clutter living areas and compromise the intended use of spaces.

  • Distress with Discarding:

    • Distress or anxiety when faced with the prospect of discarding items, leading to an avoidance of such situations.

  • Need for Saving:

    • A perceived need to save items and an unwillingness to let others touch or borrow them.

  • Lack of Organization:

    • Difficulty organizing possessions and living spaces, making it challenging to maintain a tidy and functional home.

  • Anger Logs and Journals:

    • Keeping track of instances of anger in a structured way, including the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors associated with each episode. This helps in identifying patterns and monitoring progress.

  • Functional Impairment:

    • Hoarding disorder can significantly impair daily functioning, including problems with maintaining personal relationships, occupational difficulties, and health and safety hazards in the living environment.

  • Insight and Denial:

    • Individuals with hoarding disorder may have limited insight into the severity of their condition, and they may deny that the hoarding behavior is problematic.