Compulsive Hoarding Syndrome
Many people fall into the category of "pack rats." We all know someone who just can't seem to throw away anything, from old magazines to sweaters, or who "collects" items to the point where every space is cluttered. But there is a big difference between those who have a hard time tossing out that pile of newspapers and those whose homes are so cramped and filled with possessions that they can barely move, or whose living spaces are so crowded that they're both unsanitary and downright dangerous.
The Mayo Clinic defines hoarding as the excessive collection of items along with the inability to throw them away. Also called compulsive hoarding and compulsive hoarding syndrome, this can be a symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder, or OCD. But researchers are still unclear as to whether compulsive hoarding is an isolated disorder, as many people who hoard do not have other OCD symptoms.
According to Randy Frost, a psychology professor at Smith College and an expert on hoarding, in 2009 as many as 15 million Americans were hoarders. While it is common to find counters, sinks, stoves, tables, desks, stairways and even beds and bathtubs stacked with possessions in hoarders' homes, in the most extreme cases, hoarding can cause fire and sanitation hazards from mold and rot as well as vermin infestation.
As defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), published by the American Psychiatric Association, there is an accepted set of diagnostic criteria in defining compulsive hoarding:
• The acquisition of and failure to discard a large number of possessions that appear to be useless or of limited value.
• Living spaces sufficiently cluttered so as to preclude activities for which these spaces were designed.
• Significant distress or impairment in functioning caused by the hoarding. • Reluctance or inability to return borrowed items; as boundaries blur, impulsive acquisitiveness could lead to kleptomania or stealing.
The National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD) has established five levels of hoarding from one to five with level five so extreme that the person needs the help of a professional organizer as well as psychological and medical attention in most cases.
Those who hoard usually collect items because they believe the objects will have value or be needed in the future. Or a person may hang on to items that he or she believes have emotional significance. Many hoarders report they feel safer when surrounded by familiar possessions.
Clutter and difficulty throwing things away are usually the first signs of hoarding and often start during the teenage years. As the person affected grows older, he or she tends to start collecting things for which there is no real need or space. Compulsive hoarding is usually diagnosed in middle age. Hoarding is often associated with the urge to acquire, perfectionism, and indecision and avoidance.
How can you tell if you're just an average pack rat or you're turning into a hoarder? Dr. Frost, and his colleague, Sanjaya Saxena, MD, professor of psychology and a researcher on hoarding at Smith College, and quoted on Web MD, recommend asking yourself these three questions:
1. Do you get pleasure from of acquiring things, whether they are expensive or free, and do you have a hard time discarding items that are no longer of use?
2. Is your living or workspace so cluttered that it's impossible to find things or to use the area for its intended purpose? For example, have you stopped taking baths because the tub is full of "collected" objects?
3. And finally, is your "collection" getting in the way of your relationships with others, including family, or your everyday functioning?
If you answered yes to these questions, these are the common criteria experts use to describe compulsive hoarding, according to Frost and Saxena.
What can you do if you think you're becoming a hoarder? Experts agree that a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy and prescription medication can help compulsive hoarders learn to change their behavior as well as negative beliefs about themselves. Medication used to treat OCD such as Prozac, Paxil, and Zoloft have helped many people with hoarding tendencies.
Want to learn more about frugal living, clutter control, and hoarding syndrome? Visit my website at http://www.thesmallerhome.com.
About the Author
Andrzej Kozlowski has written numerous articles on topics ranging from home downsizing to simple living. He is also editor and co-author of the book, "Living Smart: The Money Saving, Eco-Friendly Guide to Downsizing Your Home and Belongings."
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