I attended a training recently on the topic of hoarding. This included an overview of the research findings from the past 20 years.
I wanted to pass along a few insights that I find interesting – this is the simple version and I am leaving out a whole lot of details.
- Outdated thinking (not true):
- The person is lazy
- Hoarding always means compromised health & safety for the individual
- Hoarding is a form of OCD
- Typically occurs with:
- ADD/ADHD
- anxiety disorders
- major depression
- At the beginning
- typically starts age 11-15
- rarely after age 25
- takes years to become visible issue (time to accumulate)
- likely both genetic and learned components (nature and nurture)
- Treatment
- Majority of treatment needs to take place in the affected space, not counselor’s office
- ‘Quick fix’ (cleaning without treatment) is harmful – usually perpetuates the problem or make it worse
- weekly sessions over 6-12 months is typical
- similarities to addictions and 12-step process may be helpful
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