It’s common for people to have difficulty parting with possessions that have sentimental value or might be useful in the future. For some, however, getting rid of any item at all is uncomfortable.
The act of amassing so many things that it negatively affects one’s life is called hoarding. A hoarding disorder is a subtype of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) referred to as hoarding OCD. Read on to learn more about what hoarding OCD is, what causes it, and what it looks like.
Defining Hoarding OCD
Hoarding OCD is a mental health condition in which a person feels a strong desire to hold onto a large quantity of items, no matter their value. Someone dealing with this condition will experience an anxiety or stress response when they or someone else tries to get rid of their possessions.
The Causes of Hoarding OCD
It’s difficult to pinpoint a cause of hoarding OCD, as every situation is unique. While identifying a cause isn’t always straightforward, there are several risk factors believed to contribute to the disorder.
Family History
Someone with a family history of hoarding could be more likely to develop hoarding OCD. It isn’t known whether the disorder can be passed on to relatives through genetics or through modeling of behavior.
Life Events
Stressful life events like divorce, losing a home due to a natural disaster, or the loss of a loved one can make someone hold onto belongings as a way to provide temporary relief for the loss that they experienced. Past experiences with trauma can also contribute to hoarding OCD.
Personality
Personality can play a role in the development of hoarding OCD as well. Individuals who have a hard time paying attention, staying organized, solving problems, or making decisions are more at risk of developing hoarding OCD.
The Signs and Symptoms
Since hoarding OCD is a subtype of obsessive-compulsive disorder, it shares some of the same signs and symptoms as other forms of OCD. When a person is struggling with hoarding OCD, they often experience some or all of the following:
- Anxiety relating to needing certain items
- Clutter
- Difficulty getting rid of items
- Difficulty with decision-making
- Distrust of others
- Emotional reactions to items
- Extreme stress
- Lack of organizational skills
- Social withdrawal or isolation
Justifying Their Behavior
This is another sign that someone might be dealing with hoarding OCD. Some people with this disorder might not even realize that their behavior is irrational and causing harm. Here are a few of the ways in which someone with hoarding OCD might justify their behavior:
- An item will be needed or increase in value the longer they hold onto it
- An item will help them remember a person or an event
- An object is unique or has sentimental value
- They can’t decide where something belongs, so they’re waiting for the perfect spot
- Something was too good of a deal to throw away
Results of Hoarding
Hoarding can lead to other issues in one’s life. These are just a few of the additional problems or complications that a person with hoarding OCD can experience:
- Anxiety disorders
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Depression
- Eviction or other legal issues
- Family conflicts
- Fire hazard
- Health risks
- Increased risk of injury
- Loneliness
- Poor work performance
Finding Support
Hoarding OCD is a complex disorder that can arise for a variety of reasons. This means that there isn’t one treatment method that works in every scenario. But that doesn’t mean someone with hoarding OCD is destined to live with it for the rest of their life. You might feel like you’re alone in dealing with this disorder, but it’s important to know that you’re not.
One of the best things you can do for yourself is to reach out for the help and support you need and deserve. Reach out today to learn more about OCD counseling and how professional support could be exactly what you need to overcome these feelings.
