Hoarding Disorder

What is hoarding?

Hoarding is when a person will collect large quantities of possessions and feel unable to throw anything away, often keeping things for years and years. The person can feel much attachment to items, hence the reason for not throwing things away, and they can often feel very upset if someone else tries to get rid of items. 

Many people who have hoarding disorder do not like the term ‘hoarder’, preferring the term ‘accumulator’ and feel there are two categories:

• Organised accumulators.
• Disorganised accumulators.

Both types of accumulators acquire large numbers of items. However, organised accumulators know exactly where a specific item is and organise their belongings into neat piles. Disorganised accumulators live in what would appear to be more chaotic circumstances to someone else and they generally don’t know where items are. This tends to be the type most people think of when you mention hoarding.

The World Health Organization in their most recent diagnostic manual, ICD-11, classified hoarding as a disorder, and this came into effect from January 2022. Their definition, is as follows:

‘Hoarding disorder is characterised by accumulation of possessions due to excessive acquisition of or difficulty discarding possessions, regardless of their actual value. Excessive acquisition is characterised by repetitive urges or behaviours related to amassing or buying items. Difficulty discarding possessions is characterised by a perceived need to save items and distress associated with discarding them. Accumulation of possessions results in living spaces becoming cluttered to the point that their use or safety is compromised. The symptoms result in significant distress or significant impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational or other important areas of functioning.’ (WHO, 2019/2021).

How can hoarding affect a person’s life?

Hoarding can become time consuming and may dominate a person’s life. This could mean they may find it more difficult to take care of their own needs, such as paying attention to general hygiene and eating well. They may also neglect other areas of their life, such as forgetting to pay household bills, neglecting the cleanliness of their home or isolating themselves from family and friends. They may collect so many possessions that they are unable to use certain rooms in their home as they are being used for storage.

When a person’s hoarding is extreme, they can often accumulate so much stuff that there are only narrow passageways throughout the house in which to walk, with items piled high, causing a potential risk of the piles collapsing and a fire hazard.

People may often push friends and family away from fear of being judged if they were to allow them into their home. Some people who rent houses take out a short contract with the landlord to be able to move from house to house more easily, avoiding people finding out about their situation.

What do people hoard?

People can hoard a variety of items which can often hold meaning or importance to them. However, this is not always the case. Items can be bought, stolen or even taken from skips or from the street. Digital hoarding is a newer and so less thought of form of hoarding.

What can help?

Seeking support from the people around you can be the beginning of understanding, acknowledging the issue and thinking of ways to deal with difficulties that have led to hoarding. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can support someone with hoarding disorder. It is important to seek help as soon as you feel you need it from a GP or Talking Changes, who may refer the person for more specialist help, advice and support.

Useful links