Hoarding disorder is a persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions because of a perceived need to save them. A person with hoarding disorder experiences distress at the thought of getting rid of the items. Excessive accumulation of items, regardless of actual value, occurs. Show
Hoarding often creates such cramped living conditions that homes may be filled to capacity, with only narrow pathways winding through stacks of clutter. Countertops, sinks, stoves, desks, stairways and virtually all other surfaces are usually piled with stuff. And when there's no more room inside, the clutter may spread to the garage, vehicles, yard and other storage facilities. Hoarding ranges from mild to severe. In some cases, hoarding may not have much impact on your life, while in other cases it seriously affects your functioning on a daily basis. People with hoarding disorder may not see it as a problem, making treatment challenging. But intensive treatment can help people with hoarding disorder understand how their beliefs and behaviors can be changed so that they can live safer, more enjoyable lives. Products & Services
SymptomsGetting and saving an excessive number of items, gradual buildup of clutter in living spaces and difficulty discarding things are usually the first signs and symptoms of hoarding disorder, which often surfaces during the teenage to early adult years. As the person grows older, he or she typically starts acquiring things for which there is no immediate need or space. By middle age, symptoms are often severe and may be harder to treat. Problems with hoarding gradually develop over time and tend to be a private behavior. Often, significant clutter has developed by the time it reaches the attention of others. Signs and symptoms may include:
Excessive acquiring and refusing to discard items results in:
People with hoarding disorder typically save items because:
Hoarding disorder is different from collecting. People who have collections, such as stamps or model cars, deliberately search out specific items, categorize them and carefully display their collections. Although collections can be large, they aren't usually cluttered and they don't cause the distress and impairments that are part of hoarding disorder. Hoarding animalsPeople who hoard animals may collect dozens or even hundreds of pets. Animals may be confined inside or outside. 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. When to see a doctorIf 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. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic CausesIt's not clear what causes hoarding disorder. Genetics, brain functioning and stressful life events are being studied as possible causes. Risk factorsHoarding 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. Risk factors include:
ComplicationsHoarding disorder can cause a variety of complications, including:
Other mental health disordersMany people with hoarding disorder also experience other mental health disorders, such as:
PreventionBecause 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. By Mayo Clinic Staff Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic Diagnosis & treatment Feb. 03, 2018 Share on: FacebookTwitter Show references
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Hoarding disorder
AdvertisementMayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. What factors differentiate hoarding disorder from normal collecting?Someone who has a hoarding disorder may typically: keep or collect items that may have little or no monetary value, such as junk mail and carrier bags, or items they intend to reuse or repair. find it hard to categorise or organise items.
Is hoarding an obsessiveHoarding is a disorder that may be present on its own or as a symptom of another disorder. Those most often associated with hoarding are obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and depression.
What are 3 symptoms of hoarding disorder?Signs and symptoms may include:. Excessively acquiring items that are not needed or for which there's no space.. Persistent difficulty throwing out or parting with your things, regardless of actual value.. Feeling a need to save these items, and being upset by the thought of discarding them.. Why is hoarding not OCD?A difference between OCD and hoarding disorder is that in hoarding disorder the compulsive acquisition of items results in a "pleasurable" feeling. This is not the case for compulsions in OCD. Like OCD and BDD, hoarding disorder has an insight specifier to further refine the diagnosis.
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