Hoarding Disorder

Hoarding Disorder is a mental health condition characterized by a persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions, regardless of their actual value, due to a perceived need to save them. This behavior leads to the accumulation of clutter that can significantly interfere with a person’s ability to use living spaces for their intended purposes—such as sleeping in a bed, cooking in a kitchen, or using a bathroom. Hoarding is not simply collecting or being messy; it involves a deep emotional attachment to possessions, intense distress at the thought of discarding items, and often, impaired decision-making about what is necessary or valuable.

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People with Hoarding Disorder may save items they believe will be useful someday, have sentimental value, or are too good to throw away. The clutter can create health and safety hazards, strain relationships, cause shame or social isolation, and impair daily functioning. The disorder often begins in adolescence or early adulthood and tends to worsen over time if untreated.

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Hoarding Disorder is distinct from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), though it can co-occur. Treatment typically involves Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) tailored to hoarding, which focuses on changing beliefs about possessions, improving decision-making, and gradually reducing clutter through exposure and practice. In some cases, medication such as SSRIs may help reduce symptoms, especially when anxiety or depression is also present. Support from trained professionals, family, and community resources can be crucial in helping individuals make lasting changes.