How To Tell If You Are A Hoarder

Risk Factors

Medical professionals and researchers alike are not quite sure what causes hoarding, but they have an idea what can trigger such behavior. Hoarding typically begins around the ages of eleven to fifteen and tends to worsen as individuals age. Risk factors that can cause or trigger signs of hoarding include an individual’s personality, family history, and stressful life events. For many patients, their personalities play a pivotal role, as those who have a hoarding disorder tend to have a temperament that includes indecisiveness, and are often disorganized in various areas of their life. A family history of hoarding also increases a person’s risk of developing this disorder as research shows there is a strong association between having a family member who hoards and another member developing the disorder. Finally, stressful life events can increase the chances of hoarding, as some individuals may have difficulties coping with the death of a loved one, a divorce, eviction, or losing their possessions in a fire.

Hoarding also causes numerous complications, such as an increased risk of falls, injury or being trapped by shifting or falling things, a fire hazard, unsanitary conditions that risk one’s health, family conflicts, loneliness and social isolation, poor work performance, and legal issues, such as eviction.

Next, explore treatments options available to those who have a hoarding disorder.

Treatment Options

Treating hoarding disorder can be challenging as many patients do not recognize the negative and harmful impact of their hoarding on their lives and how it affects their loved ones. As a result, they often believe they do not need treatment. This is especially true if the individual is hoarding animals or items that bring them a sense of comfort. When the animals or items are removed from the home, hoarders tend to react with frustration and anger. The primary treatment option for hoarding disorder is cognitive behavior therapy, and medications can help if the patient has depression or anxiety. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is the main method used to treat hoarding disorder and helps the patient identify and challenge their thoughts and beliefs related to saving items, and they learn to also resist the urge to acquire more things. Therapy can also help them organize and categorize their possessions, improve their decision-making and coping skills, declutter their home (with assistance), learn to reduce their isolation and increase their social involvement and help to mend family conflicts.

Currently, there are no specific medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat hoarding disorder, however, medications are often prescribed if the patient has anxiety and depression. Antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are often the type of medication prescribed.