1 of 4 | Studies suggest that between 3% and 5% of the population are compulsive hoarders, posing danger to themselves and others. Photo by Grap/Wikimedia Commons
NEW YORK, Oct. 17 (UPI) — News stories about hoarding seem to appear more frequently these days, narrating tales of individuals who struggle to eat or sleep due to the overwhelming clutter of thousands of items that hold little value.”
Occasionally, these stories depict individuals trapped in fires, with rescuers unable to reach them. Some stories tell of humane societies rescuing countless sick or starving animals from hoarders.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, hoarding disorder has received greater attention. It is characterized by an unwillingness to part with belongings, regardless of their usefulness.
This compulsive behavior poses a significant danger to hoarders themselves, as well as to those around them and rescue workers.
“The excessive accumulation of materials in homes poses a significant threat to firefighters and residents,” states the National Fire Protection Association on its website.
“Given that studies suggest between 3% and 5% of the population are compulsive hoarders, fire departments must be prepared to effectively handle this issue.”
Hoarding has become more prevalent and severe since the pandemic, according to Dr. Michelle DiBlasi, the chief of inpatient psychiatry at Tufts Medical Center in Boston.
While telemedicine has its advantages, in-person visits allow mental health professionals to engage with patients on a deeper level and help them physically remove objects in the least stressful manner.
There are various reasons why hoarders become sentimentally attached to their belongings. Some may have faced financial troubles or significant trauma, while others struggle to connect with people.
“It’s a way to protect themselves,” explains Dr. DiBlasi. “They’re building up a wall by not allowing people into their cluttered homes.”
Cognitive behavioral therapy, along with medication, is typically recommended by mental health professionals to address hoarding disorder.
“Therapists often meet patients at their homes and discuss the emotional significance of each item, why it’s difficult to part with, and the potential impact of letting it go,” says Robert Chester, a psychologist at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center.
Research shows that more than 60% of individuals diagnosed with hoarding disorder also have another mental condition, such as depression or anxiety, which complicates treatment.
However, therapy has been proven to significantly reduce the severity of symptoms in many cases.
Furthermore, digital hoarding has emerged as a prevalent behavior in the digital age. It involves accumulating substantial amounts of digital content and struggling to discard it, leading to digital clutter.
Some individuals also hoard animals, believing they are doing them a service despite the harm caused by neglecting their basic needs for nutrition, sanitation, and veterinary care.
Dr. Asim Shah, a professor and executive vice chair of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Baylor College of Medicine, has observed a significant increase in hoarding, particularly among individuals who hoarded prior to the pandemic.
Hoarding is often associated with indecisiveness, perfectionism, and a need for control. It is a persistent condition that typically begins in adolescence and requires customized treatment.
Different individuals respond differently to challenging situations, and the pandemic has led to increased rates of all stress reactions, including hoarding behaviors.
Treatment involves helping patients understand the connections between their possessions and feelings of safety while finding alternative ways to feel secure without the need for excessive accumulation.
Breaking a strong habit like hoarding takes time and determination.
“We can’t just flip a switch and make it go away,” says psychologist David Nathan.
