Hoarding: How Much Stuff Is Too Much Stuff?

Everyone has possessions. They keep their belongings out of admiration, sentimentality, usefulness, need, want, or anticipation of needing or wanting. Most people can maintain a reasonable and logical balance of what they obtain, retain and let go of. Then there is the 3 to 6 percent of Americans who are hoarders. Hoarding disorder is just one of the scores of mental health issues a psychiatrist treats.

The work Vibrant Integrative Psychiatry does with patients is collaborative and focuses on personal growth. We identify and discuss the strengths they already have, and then apply new knowledge and self-awareness to achieve greater insight into their goals and objectives. They gain better control over their ability to balance their emotions and achieve their desired outcomes in their relationships and lives.

Hoarding disorder isn’t the same as being a collector or pack rat. Collectors tend to focus on a specialized area of interest rather than a wide range of different things. They also may collect items that have recognized value. Pack rats may hold on to many sentimental items, but it may not result in problems with their living spaces.

Hoarding is a behavioral disorder characterized by the excessive accumulation of items, regardless of their actual value, and an inability or unwillingness to discard them. This leads to cluttered living spaces, which can interfere with daily functioning and pose health or safety risks. Hoarding is often associated with significant emotional attachment to possessions and a fear of losing or needing items in the future, even if they have no practical use.

Hoarding is classified as a mental health condition and can be related to other disorders, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety and depression. People with hoarding disorder may experience distress at the thought of getting rid of items and may also have difficulty organizing or making decisions about possessions.

Common signs include:

• Difficulty discarding items, even those of little or no value.
• Emotional attachment to possessions, often irrational or extreme.
• Compromised living conditions, such as blocked walkways or rooms being unusable.
• Distress or anxiety about discarding items.

Hoarding is frequently related to personality, stressful life events or family genetics. It can range from mild to severe, and in extreme cases, it can create unsafe environments due to fire hazards, unsanitary conditions or the risk of injury from falling objects. Treatment typically involves cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and, in some cases, medication to address underlying conditions like anxiety or depression.

The office of Vibrant Integrative Psychiatry is dedicated to providing the highest quality of skilled and compassionate care. Every patient is unique, and each individual’s needs vary. Let us help you. Please call to arrange an appointment.