Why do people become hoarders

Hoarding ranges from mild to severe. In some cases, hoarding may not have much impact on your life, while in other cases it seriously affects your functioning on a daily basis. People with hoarding disorder may not see it as a problem, making treatment challenging. But intensive treatment can help people with hoarding disorder understand how their beliefs and behaviors can be changed so that they can live safer, more enjoyable lives.

Getting and saving an excessive number of items, gradual buildup of clutter in living spaces and difficulty discarding things are usually the first signs and symptoms of hoarding disorder, which often surfaces during the teenage to early adult years. As the person grows older, he or she typically starts acquiring things for which there is no immediate need or space. By middle age, symptoms are often severe and may be harder to treat.

Problems with hoarding gradually develop over time and tend to be a private behavior. Often, significant clutter has developed by the time it reaches the attention of others.

Hoarding disorder is different from collecting. People who have collections, such as stamps or model cars, deliberately search out specific items, categorize them and carefully display their collections.

Although collections can be large, they aren't usually cluttered and they don't cause the distress and impairments that are part of hoarding disorder.

People who hoard animals may collect dozens or even hundreds of pets. Animals may be confined inside or outside. Because of the large numbers, these animals often aren't cared for properly. The health and safety of the person and the animals are at risk because of unsanitary conditions. If you or a loved one has symptoms of hoarding disorder, talk with a doctor or mental health professional as soon as possible.

Some communities have agencies that help with hoarding problems. Check with the local or county government for resources in your area.

As hard as it might be, if your loved one's hoarding disorder threatens health or safety, you may need to contact local authorities, such as police, fire, public health, child or elder protective services, or animal welfare agencies. It's not clear what causes hoarding disorder. Genetics, brain functioning and stressful life events are being studied as possible causes.

Hoarding usually starts around ages 11 to 15, and it tends to get worse with age. Or they may choose to live with a broken appliance or without heat rather than let someone into their home to repair the problem. Research indicates that HD may also be associated with a lack of executive functioning ability.

Deficiencies in this area include, among other symptoms, an inability to:. Approximately 2 to 6 percent of people have HD. At least 1 in 50 — possibly even 1 in 20 — people have significant, or compulsive, hoarding tendencies. HD affects men and women equally. Age is a significant factor for HD.

Adults aged 55 and older are three times more likely to develop HD than younger adults. The average age for a person seeking help for HD is around Adolescents can also have HD. This is because young people tend to live with parents or roommates who can help manage hoarding behaviors. HD can begin interfering with daily activities around age 20, but may not become severely problematic until age 30 or later.

These symptoms and signs include:. Diagnosis and treatment of HD is possible. However, it may be difficult to persuade a person with HD to recognize the condition. Loved ones or outsiders may recognize signs and symptoms of HD long before the person with the condition comes to terms with it.

Treatment for HD must focus on the individual and not solely on the spaces that have become overrun with clutter. A person must first be receptive to treatment options in order to change their hoarding behavior. Someone seeking treatment for HD should first see their doctor.

A doctor can evaluate HD through interviews with the person as well as their loved ones. A thorough medical evaluation may also help diagnose any other underlying mental health conditions. This should be directed by a medical professional. Research has shown that this type of treatment can be useful.

A review of literature indicated that younger women who went to several CBT sessions and received several home visits had the most success with this line of treatment. CBT can be done in an individual or group setting.

The therapy focuses on why someone may have a hard time discarding items and why they desire to bring more items into a space. The goal of CBT is to alter behavior and the thought processes that contribute to hoarding. CBT sessions may include creating decluttering strategies as well as discussing ways to prevent bringing in new items to the space.

That starts with taking a step back and exploring how your own actions—or those of other friends or family members—may be contributing to the hoarding problem. Keep your expectations realistic. Expecting your loved one to become perfectly neat and organized is setting yourself up for disappointment. Changes tend to happen gradually and there will likely be setbacks along the way where the person reverts to old patterns of behavior. Can you settle for having your loved one live in a cluttered but safe environment, for example?

Manage stress. Dealing with someone who has hoarding disorder can cause a lot of stress, anxiety, and tension—and that can rub off on the hoarder.

The more stressed and anxious they become, the more likely they are to revert to negative behaviors. Try to make time to relieve stress and regain your inner calm through exercise , meditation , or other relaxation techniques.

Resolve conflict in a positive way. While conflict is a normal part of every relationship, dealing with a loved one who hoards can trigger strong emotions in anyone. But reacting with angry or hurtful comments, refusing to compromise, or rejecting the things that are important to the hoarder will only push you apart.

Instead, you can learn to resolve your differences in healthier ways that can bring you closer together. Whether the hoarder is a close friend, partner, or family member, you may forget that the disorder is just one aspect of their identity, not the only thing that defines them as a person.

Try to look beyond their accumulation of stuff or animals and find other ways of relating. Bonding over other interests or hobbies can help nurture an atmosphere of trust and cooperation. Spend time talking about other issues and interests. Go for a walk, visit a museum, attend a concert, or take up a new hobby together. People with hoarding disorder are often socially isolated, so your non-judgmental support can be crucial in helping them change their behaviors.

We all have our strengths and weaknesses. Address any underlying conditions. Encouraging them to treat the underlying condition may help improve their hoarding symptoms. One of the toughest aspects of helping someone with hoarding disorder is motivating them to start and stick with the process of changing how they accumulate items.

The prospect of discarding existing possessions and resisting the urge to purchase more can be emotionally harrowing for the hoarder. Motivating them can take patience, understanding, and lots of encouragement. Make harm reduction the focus. When setting goals with your loved one about organizing their living space, emphasize reducing the risk of accidents and injuries rather than eliminating clutter.

To keep the hoarder motivated, make it clear that the aim is only to get rid of enough items to keep the person safe. As you move ahead with the process, your loved one may become more comfortable making decisions about things to discard. Set achievable goals. When decluttering, aim to tackle just a small pile or a single drawer at first. Start with items that your loved one finds easiest to throw away—old bills may be less distressing to discard than letters or photographs, for example. While you want to avoid them delaying decisions, the final say should always be theirs.

What triggers the person to acquire more things? Once you identify what triggers them to accumulate more possessions, you can find healthier ways to deal with the urges. Celebrate even small victories.

Clearing away just a few things is reason to praise your loved one—and yourself. While medication may help for underlying issues such as anxiety or depression, cognitive behavioral therapy CBT is the primary treatment for hoarding disorder. Whether in a group or one-on-one setting, CBT can address the negative thoughts that contribute to hoarding disorder and help the hoarder develop new patterns of behavior. Working with the right therapist can help your loved one to:. Help your loved one to research therapy options, make and keep appointments, and stay on schedule.

For your loved one. In addition to therapy, talking regularly to others facing the same challenges can help your loved one to feel less isolated and alone. Find online or in-person support groups for people with hoarding disorder using the resources listed below.

For yourself. Joining a support group for family members of hoarders can also help you find support, discover local resources, and learn new coping tips.