Safeguarding Adults Week | Day Two
Day Two
The Myths of Hoarding
Hoarding Is Just Another Name for OCD
Until recently, hoarding was considered a form of obsessive compulsion (OCD), but research shows only 16% of individuals who Hoard actually show OCD symptoms too.
In OCD, Obsessions are intrusive thoughts to which the individual attaches a great deal of significance to. These obsessions will be unwanted and persistent. They cause a great deal of distress and anxiety. In order to deal with the strong negative emotions which accompany obsessions, someone with OCD will carry out compulsions.
Someone with OCD-related hoarding is likely to feel an extreme level of anxiety at the idea of getting rid of any of their hoarded possessions. They might store their possessions in a very chaotic way, sometimes to the point that it interferes with daily function and makes their home a very uncomfortable place to live.
Even though some experts consider it a subtype of OCD, typical treatment plans have not been shown to be effective at treating the symptoms of hoarding.
Hoarding Is the Same Thing as Being Disorganized
While being disorganized can be a problem itself, it is not as severe as hoarding. The major difference between someone who is hoarding and someone who is “messy” is hoarding can make it difficult for the person to function day to day or use spaces for their intended use. People may accumulate so many items they can no longer sit on the sofa, use the Bath or use the cooker. A person who hoards is often unable to get rid of such items even when they are no longer useful or they interfere with daily living. A messy person is usually able to let things go when necessary.
Hoarding also affects a person’s ability to maintain relationships, keep a job, and take care of personal and household needs.
Cleaning Will Immediately Solve the Problem
Simply attempting to clean up a cluttered space without addressing the underlying issue typically fails to solve the problem. People may spend hours of time and thousands of pounds cleaning out a space only to have the person relapse and start accumulating more stuff in just a few months.
Those whose homes are cleaned out without their permission also may experience extreme distress, complicating the issue.
Hoarders Are Lazy, Dirty, and Unmotivated
Stereotyping people with a hoarding condition as dirty or lazy is an unfair stigma. People who hoard may have cognitive deficits in the brain, impairing their ability to make decisions as well as to keep things organized. Studies have also shown there may be a genetic component to hoarding problems.
Rather than being stigmatized, what people with a hoarding condition really need from others is compassion, empathy, and support. Assuming a person who hoards is also dirty adds to the stigma surrounding a hoarding condition.
Hoarding Can Be Treated by a Single Medical Professional
Hoarding is a multi-faceted issue and typically requires a team of professionals to effectively treat the problem. Some professionals that may be involved in the treatment process include psychiatrists, therapists, counselors, professional organizers, landlords and a support network or peer group.