Why Hoard?

By Lori L. Riddle-Walker, MFT

Often there are multiple issues that come together to create hoarding, an over-accumulation of possessions, which negatively impacts life.

Having a collection of items does not necessarily indicate a hoarding problem if the collection is manageable both physically (space, ability to care for properly) and financially (not part of unplanned compulsive spending patterns).  Hoarding is a situation where possessions become overwhelming to manage physically, cause distress, are a safety hazard, interfere with living, cause financial problems or relational problems.

Some of the issues that can lead to hoarding include difficulty with information processing, mental health concerns such as symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder and depression as well as problematic thoughts and beliefs.  Treatment includes: 1) taking a look at and challenging any dysfunctional beliefs; 2) skill building; as well as, 3) addressing anxiety related to discarding by slow and graduated exposure to anxiety producing situations.

Getting a handle on hoarding problems generally is a slow process that happens over months and possibly even years.  However with determination, motivation and appropriate support it can be done.