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Hoarding: Entertainment or Serious Mental Disorder?

When looking at an object from their childhood, people might reminisce about their
pasts, letting the object take them back to a better time in their lives. Nostalgia can have major
psychological effects on a person, leading to a sentimental attachment toward these material
items. The sentimentality of the situation may, however, trigger anxiety within some individuals,
causing them to hoard the objects. This mental health disorder is used often for entertainment
purposes, with large networks airing shows like Hoarders held on A&E, or Hoarding Buried
Alive carried on TLC. The television networks rarely accurately represent hoarding as a serious
disorder. These shows convey the hoarders home in a vile way, only displaying the horrid state
of the houses, while rarely acknowledging how these hoarders have a legitimate mental health
disorder. People need to understand the severity of hoarding, a validated mental disorder,
warrants compassion, not ridicule, by societys members.
The Diagnostic
Statistical Manual (2015), defines hoarding as a validated disorder.
Specifically, this manual, part of the American Psychological Association, defines and classifies
mental disorders to improve treatment and comprehend the illnesses as a whole (Diagnostic).
The manual lists hoarding as a separate disorder from anxiety and depression, disproving the
illegitimate statements which categorizes

hoarding as a symptom of each. Moreover, the guide

explains hoarding as causing clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational,
or other important areas of function, such as maintaining a safe environment for themselves and
others (Hoarding Disorder). Additionally, the manual states that no other medical conditions
cause hoarding and that the disorder is a separate category of mental illness (Hoarding

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Disorder). This distinct definition written

within the Diagnostic Statistical Manual, validates

hoarding as a serious mental health disorder.
Among many causes, human emotions prove to play a major role in the beginning stages
of hoarding. Some examples of material items which create these sentimental feelings are
wedding rings, match box cars, and even automotive cars. Also transitional objects, or items
which help an individual gain independence, commonly begin to personify the persons
character, thereby causing an influx in emotions, leading to the hoarding antics. An example of a
transitional object is a persons first car or first cellphone (Holmes). Additionally, following
World War II, a type of hoarding served as a social marker in the 1950s, as a mindset emerged
that indicated the larger ones accumulation of material goods, the wealthier the person. This
idea appealed to the new status conscious Americans. Furthermore, emotional disorders such as
anxiety, and/or depression cause hoarding as well (Holmes). These emotional disorders often
create a need for feelings of safety and security (Pelt). The emotions toy with the hoarders
actions, creating the piles of possessions to accumulate. These initiating factors hold the power to
progress into a larger, more serious hoarding issue.
The most common types of hoarding are animal, collection, and larder hoarders. Animal
hoarding occurs when a person wants to save animals in need, and therefore rescues them or
adopts them from animal shelters. However, the magnitude of animals soon overwhelm the
hoarder, restricting the hoarder from taking care of the animals he/she saved, leading to the
animals removal, or even death. Equally as concerning, a collection hoarder is the most
simplistic of all types, where the individual collects items of the same genre (Types of
Hoarding). For example the person may collect art pieces from one specific artist, such as

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Picasso, but later spark a new interest in a different artist and collect their items instead. The
collections, however, soon grow out of control, and interfere with the hoarders daily functions.
Another type is a larder hoarder, or an individual who hoards food. These people create
stockpiles in their houses of random food items they believe will keep them alive in times of
need (Types of Hoarding). For instance, people who believe disasters, such as an apocalypse,
will occur, start hoarding food to prevent starvation in the distant future. Overall, many differing
types of hoarding exist, but the outcome usually stays consistent: the hoarding habits progress
into a frightening disorder.
This serious mental disorder also affects a person physically, subjecting him or her to
dangerous environments. Physically, the health needs of those with severe and complex mental
health problems [ie: hoarding] have long been known to be worse than in the general population
thereby hoarders are known to have major physical health drawbacks (Holmes). For instance,
oftentimes, hoarders suffer from obesity, as well as enduring conditions such as seizures,
diabetes, head injury, and sleep apnea (Holmes). Furthermore, another danger when hoarding, is
the risk of fires (Holmes). In 2009, Australian researchers blamed hoarding as the leading cause
of the deadliest fires, starting over forty-eight within a decade and killing ten people (Solovitch).
These health and safety risks confirm hoarding as a legitimate disorder, which should be
respected as such, not mocked.
Moreover, hoarders mental illness can also lead to an influx in self-neglect. For example,
the individuals may simply lose sight of their personal hygiene and stop cleaning themselves.
Specifically, if access to the bathroom becomes unavailable, due to piles of possessions, the
hoarder may cease to use the facilities altogether. The unhygienic behavior adds to the isolative

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personality hoarders usually possess. Inaccessibility to the kitchen, can also lead to problems
with eating and drinking, as they neglect themselves even further (Holmes). Dirty kitchen
materials, inability to use storage for food, or leaving food in forgotten places, create more
obstacles in the hoarders eating and living habits. The hoarders utilities could also be turned off
if his or her bills are not paid or are lost in the piles of items in their house (Holmes).
Additionally, their jobs may be at risk since maintaining attendance at work appears to be more
challenging for people with hoarding difficulties than for those with other mental health issues
(Holmes). Once the hoarders lose their jobs, the severity of their cases greatly increase as they
now have no reason to leave their house anymore, causing further isolation.
Furthermore, hoarders subject both themselves and their families to unhealthy elements,
which often ruin their family relationships. For example, the disorder is known for destroying
marriages and home life while alienating family and friends at the same time (Pelt). The
persons hoarding may be too overwhelming for his or her family, thus causing a rift in the
relationship, leading to its dissolution. The families of those who compulsively hoard may
experience embarrassment, shame, and worry among other feelings (Holmes). Hoarders and
their families can also begin to ignore typical family values, such as family dinners or having
company over. In addition, the cluttered house shatters family traditions, like hosting
Thanksgiving or decorating for Christmas. Also, as the family loses the safe environment, the
hoarders children may find it harder to eat and bathe, not to mention trying to juggle their
academics, which often leads to the childrens removal by child service agencies (Holmes).
Unfortunately the number of people with hoarding difficulties who have had a child removed...

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is estimated to be up to three percent (Holmes). The sad statistic explains one of the many
consequences hoarders face when they create the unsafe environment for their families.
After suffering much loss in her childhood, Sara Wolff, a formerly homeless twenty-nine
year old, started hoarding, surrounding herself with possessions. Wolff believes because she
lost so many people in her life...she holds everyone, and everything close to her (Sottile). The
fear of abandonment and especially the loss of custody of her child, sparked the hoarding
activities (Sottile). Although she regained custody, the hoarding behavior continued to torment
her. When she musters enough courage to clean her crowded apartment, she breaks down in
hysterics, unable to complete the job. At this point, her idea of cleaning turns into simply
throwing the items into closets and hoping the door closes (Sottile). Everyday coming home
from work, Wolff fears finding an eviction notice hanging on her door: one that may deem the
apartment unfit and unsafe to live in (Sottile). Wolffs situation sheds light upon the fact that
hoarding affects a variety of persons, no matter the age.
In another case, Sandy Stark, a senior citizen who supervised payroll for the Pacific Stock
Exchange, began collecting peculiar items as a hobby, never discarding them. She collected
everything from unusual rocks to beautiful white ceramics, creating large piles throughout her
apartment. Stark personified the clich collection hoarder, allowing the piles to multiply
uncontrollably (Types of Hoarding). Soon enough, the only way to maneuver around her
apartment was through the goat paths Stark made (Solovitch). Her family began to notice her
hoarding ways and decided to clear out her apartment for her, discarding all the random items
and other litter. Despite the kind gesture, after the clean out, Stark began acquiring even more
possessions as vengeance for the perceived acts of betrayal by her daughters (Sottile). As time

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progressed, Stark grew aware of the damaging effects of her hoarding disorder and decided to
attend group sessions, which helped her situation greatly (Sottile). Stark embodies an individual
who, not only suffered from the powerful mental health and cognitive disorder, but also
overcame the disorder, and in doing so, improved her family ties.
Similar to Starks treatments, psychotherapies can also help individuals overcome their
hoarding habits and regain control of their lives. In fact, psychoeducation is almost always the
first step in working with the families of people who hoard because psychoeducation proves to
work successfully (Pelt). Specialized Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a specific type of
therapy, works effectively in tackling the symptoms of hoarding. For instance, by using CBT, in
studies, key symptoms of hoarding decreased over
25% by the twenty-sixth session (See Fig. 1).
Figure 1: Steketee, Gail The Reduction of Hoarding
Symptoms Through Cognitive Behavioral Therapies

This chart showcases the high percentages of

improvement due to CBT (See Fig. 1). Furthermore, in therapy, the patient sets distinct goals,
which then motivates and encourages the hoarder to achieve each objective and ultimately return
to society as an organized citizen (Pelt). The therapists teach hoarders basic and sufficient
organizational skills, helping them to avoid a relapse in their treatment. Typically the therapy
lasts for 26 sessions, or approximately a year, before completion. The setting of these 26 sessions
varies for each patient, and can be held individually in an office, at home, or even in a group
setting (Pelt). By reducing the symptoms and helping the hoarders stay organized, the individuals
may regain their lives again.

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Harm reduction, another psychological treatment available to hoarders, utilizes a more

hands-on-approach to treat the illness. It may possibly be the most helpful, especially in terms
of restoring relationships, children to the home, or passing fire code violations, rather important
objectives (Hoarding Disorder). Similar to CBT, harm reduction methods manage the disorder
over a long period of time, improving the hoarders environment. Members of this team usually
include a housing or safety inspector, a friend or relative, and occasionally a mental health
professional (Hoarding Disorder). These members also create strict housing codes for the
hoarders to follow so they stay organized (Hoarding Disorder). This kinesthetic technique
helps to improve the hoarders decision making and organizational skills.
Additionally, medication, such as antidepressants, can be used to treat hoarding and its
symptoms. In fact, the studies in 2006 have found that certain antidepressants work well to
reduce symptoms of compulsive hoarding (Collingwood). Even though some research stated
these medications may not help the hoarders actions, the University of California, San Diego,
decided to run the studies anyway, in 2006, and received great results. The scientists
administered the drug paroxetine to 79 patients, 32 of whom suffered from hoarding, for eighty
days. In this study, the researchers found hoarding symptoms improved equally as well as other
obsessive compulsive disorder symptoms, suggesting these medications positively impact the
hoarder (Collingwood). This recent study proves pharmaceutical drugs can assist in treating the
symptoms of hoarding, alongside therapy.
Some critics view hoarding as a symptom of other disorders, such as bipolar disorder,
depression, or social anxiety, labeling hoarding as an invalid disorder on its own. According to a
select few, there are no good numbers [representing] compulsive hoarding claiming hoarding

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hardly exists as low numbers of reports have been made (Hoarding: A Compulsive). Other
people suggest hoarders are careless and inattentive, but they ignore the possibility these
individuals suffer from a valid disorder. Failing to acknowledge hoarding as a legitimate illness,
builds a society upon an ignorant foundation. Therefore, society needs to change its
misconceptions of mental illnesses, and especially hoarding.
Commonly, people connect hoarding to an overarching mental disorder, however
hoarding is now listed as a separate mental health disorder. The disorder may be caused by
nostalgia, and has many different types, however, it is triggered by something in a patients life.
No matter the severity of the hoarding situation, different treatments exist which help hoarders
overcome and cope with their disorder. Society should be educated on the severity of hoarding.
By respecting hoarding as a serious mental disorder, society could begin to better recognize the
early stages, and possibly prevent a relative or friends hoarding lifestyle before it becomes a
major issue. Instead of watching a television show about a mental disease for entertainment,
society should respect mental health issues and assist in the hoarders recovery, not their
mockery.

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Works Cited
Collingwood, Jane. " Paroextine May Help Treat Compulsive Hoarding." Psych Central, 2016,
psychcentral.com/lib/paroextine-may-help-treat-compulsive-hoarding/.
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. DSM-5, American Psychiatric
Association, 2015, www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm.
"Hoarding Disorder." Oregon Counseling Association -- ORCA | Serving
Oregon's Counselors, 2013,
or-counseling.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Hoarding-Disorde-and
-Harm-Reduction.pdf.
Hoarding: A Compulsive Mental Disorder. Addiction Treatment Elements
Drug Rehab Treatment Centers, Elements, 21 Apr. 2014,
www.elementsbehavioralhealth.com/dual-diagnosis/hoarding-a-compulsive-mental-disor
der/.
Holmes, Sophie. Psychological Perspective on Hoarding. Division of Clinical Psychologists
Good Practice Guidelines, 2015,
www.bps.org.uk/system/files/Public%20files/a_psychological_perspective_on_hoarding.
pdf.
Pelt, Jennifer Van. Treating People Who Hoard. Social Work Today, Great Valley Publishing
Company Inc., 2011, www.socialworktoday.com/archive/051711p14.shtml.
Solovitch, Sara. Hoarding Is a Serious Disorder - and It's Only Getting Worse in the
U.S.Washington Post, The Washington Post, 11 Apr. 2015,

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www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/hoarding-is-serious-disorder--and-its-o
nly-getting-worse-in-the-us/2016/04/11/b64a0790-f689-11e5-9804-537defcc3cf6_story.h
tml.
Sottile, Leah. "Homeless and Hoarding." The Atlantic, The Atlantic, 7 Jan. 2015,
www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2015/01/homeless-and-hoarding/384036/.
Steketee, Gail, and Catherine R. Ayers. "Challenges in Treating Hoarding in Midlife and Older
Adults." Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA, 2014,
www.adaa.org/sites/default/files/Steketee_Master-Clinician.pdf.
"Types of Hoarding." Steri-Clean Hoarders.com, Steri-Clean, 2014,
www.hoarders.com/types_of_hoarding.html.