However, it may be difficult to persuade a person with HD to recognize the condition. Loved ones or outsiders may recognize signs and symptoms of HD long before the person with the condition comes to terms with it. Treatment for HD must focus on the individual and not solely on the spaces that have become overrun with clutter. A person must first be receptive to treatment options in order to change their hoarding behavior. Someone seeking treatment for HD should first see their doctor.
A doctor can evaluate HD through interviews with the person as well as their loved ones. A thorough medical evaluation may also help diagnose any other underlying mental health conditions. This should be directed by a medical professional. Research has shown that this type of treatment can be useful. A review of literature indicated that younger women who went to several CBT sessions and received several home visits had the most success with this line of treatment.
CBT can be done in an individual or group setting. The therapy focuses on why someone may have a hard time discarding items and why they desire to bring more items into a space. The goal of CBT is to alter behavior and the thought processes that contribute to hoarding. CBT sessions may include creating decluttering strategies as well as discussing ways to prevent bringing in new items to the space.
Peer-led groups can also help treat HD. These groups can be friendly and less intimidating to someone with HD. They often meet weekly and involve regular check-ins to provide support and evaluate progress. No medications exist specifically to treat HD. Some may help with symptoms. A doctor may prescribe a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor to help with the condition.
These medications are typically used to treat other mental health conditions. Supporting a person affected by HD can be challenging. HD can cause strain between the affected person and loved ones. But the hoarding will likely continue without proper guidance and intervention.
Hoarding disorder is a diagnosable condition that requires the help of a medical professional. With professional help and time, a person may be able to move on from their hoarding behaviors and reduce dangerous and tension-inducing clutter in their personal space.
Discover how cognitive behavioral therapy can help with the management of bipolar disorder by replacing negative reactions with objective responses. Behavioral therapy is an umbrella term for therapies that treat mental health disorders. While conflict is a normal part of every relationship, dealing with a loved one who hoards can trigger strong emotions in anyone.
But reacting with angry or hurtful comments, refusing to compromise, or rejecting the things that are important to the hoarder will only push you apart. Instead, you can learn to resolve your differences in healthier ways that can bring you closer together. Whether the hoarder is a close friend, partner, or family member, you may forget that the disorder is just one aspect of their identity, not the only thing that defines them as a person.
Try to look beyond their accumulation of stuff or animals and find other ways of relating. Bonding over other interests or hobbies can help nurture an atmosphere of trust and cooperation. Spend time talking about other issues and interests. Go for a walk, visit a museum, attend a concert, or take up a new hobby together. People with hoarding disorder are often socially isolated, so your non-judgmental support can be crucial in helping them change their behaviors.
We all have our strengths and weaknesses. Address any underlying conditions. Encouraging them to treat the underlying condition may help improve their hoarding symptoms.
One of the toughest aspects of helping someone with hoarding disorder is motivating them to start and stick with the process of changing how they accumulate items. The prospect of discarding existing possessions and resisting the urge to purchase more can be emotionally harrowing for the hoarder.
Motivating them can take patience, understanding, and lots of encouragement. Make harm reduction the focus. When setting goals with your loved one about organizing their living space, emphasize reducing the risk of accidents and injuries rather than eliminating clutter.
To keep the hoarder motivated, make it clear that the aim is only to get rid of enough items to keep the person safe. As you move ahead with the process, your loved one may become more comfortable making decisions about things to discard. Set achievable goals. When decluttering, aim to tackle just a small pile or a single drawer at first. Start with items that your loved one finds easiest to throw away—old bills may be less distressing to discard than letters or photographs, for example.
While you want to avoid them delaying decisions, the final say should always be theirs. What triggers the person to acquire more things? Once you identify what triggers them to accumulate more possessions, you can find healthier ways to deal with the urges. Celebrate even small victories. Clearing away just a few things is reason to praise your loved one—and yourself.
While medication may help for underlying issues such as anxiety or depression, cognitive behavioral therapy CBT is the primary treatment for hoarding disorder. Whether in a group or one-on-one setting, CBT can address the negative thoughts that contribute to hoarding disorder and help the hoarder develop new patterns of behavior.
Working with the right therapist can help your loved one to:. Help your loved one to research therapy options, make and keep appointments, and stay on schedule.
For your loved one. In addition to therapy, talking regularly to others facing the same challenges can help your loved one to feel less isolated and alone. Find online or in-person support groups for people with hoarding disorder using the resources listed below. For yourself. Joining a support group for family members of hoarders can also help you find support, discover local resources, and learn new coping tips.
Grisham, J. Compulsive hoarding: Current controversies and new directions. Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience, 12 2 , — Nordsletten, A.
Epidemiology of hoarding disorder. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 6 , — Dozier, M. Psychopathology, 50 5 , — Weiss, K. Hoarding, Housing, and DSM Tolin, D. Because of the large numbers, these animals often aren't cared for properly. The health and safety of the person and the animals are at risk because of unsanitary conditions. If you or a loved one has symptoms of hoarding disorder, talk with a doctor or mental health professional as soon as possible. Some communities have agencies that help with hoarding problems.
Check with the local or county government for resources in your area. As hard as it might be, if your loved one's hoarding disorder threatens health or safety, you may need to contact local authorities, such as police, fire, public health, child or elder protective services, or animal welfare agencies.
It's not clear what causes hoarding disorder. Genetics, brain functioning and stressful life events are being studied as possible causes. Hoarding usually starts around ages 11 to 15, and it tends to get worse with age. Hoarding is more common in older adults than in younger adults. Because little is understood about what causes hoarding disorder, there's no known way to prevent it. However, as with many mental health conditions, getting treatment at the first sign of a problem may help prevent hoarding from getting worse.
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Overview Hoarding disorder is a persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions because of a perceived need to save them. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter.
Show references Hoarding disorder. Arlington, Va. Accessed Feb. Help with hoarding disorder.
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