Hoarding Disorder Research Paper

Hoarding disorder, also known as compulsive hoarding, is a chronic behavioral syndrome that is characterized by difficulty discarding possessions, regardless of their value. The hoarding condition exists along a continuum from normal collecting to a serious psychological condition that interferes not only with the quality and safety of life of the individual, but their family members, or others closely associated with them as well. Hoarding disorder used to be considered a symptom of other disabilities, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, but the American Psychiatric Association re-classified it as its own psychological disability (TYPE HERE). On the other hand, it is important to be aware that hoarding is different from collecting items
Hoarding symptoms can start to occur in childhood and continue all the way up to adulthood. However, these symptoms are usually mild during childhood and adolescence since parents can prevent clutter, and besides that children do not have the same financial means as adults to obtain such items. Despite the ability for parents to restrict their kids from excessively obtaining items and accruing clutter, children who hoard may still experience distress, and this distress may persist into adulthood due to other traumatic events such as molestation, abuse, death, or any other sort of trauma. Some mental health problems associated with HD include severe depression and psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia. In some cases, hoarding is also, and usually, associated with self-neglect and these people are more likely to: live alone, be unmarried, have had a deprived childhood, or have a family history of hoarding. Someone who might have or is being diagnosed with hoarding disorder may typically: keep or collect items that may have little or no monetary value, find it had to organize, have difficulty making decisions, struggle to manage daily tasks, become extremely attached to items, or have poor relationships with family or friends. A hoarding disorder can be a problem for many reasons. It can take over the hoarder’s life, making it very difficult for them to get around. It can cause their work performance, personal hygiene and relationships to suffer. Hoarders are usually reluctant or unable to have visitors over. As for the clutter, it can pose a health risk to both the hoarder and anyone who lives or visits. The clutter can make cleaning very problematic, lead to unhygienic conditions and encourage rodent or insect infestations, or cause fire hazards and blocking. Property owners often take a counterproductive approach to the