Hoarding: When clutter or collecting gets out of control

Hoarding is a symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder. It is defined as the acquisition of, and failure to discard, possessions that appear to be useless or of limited value. While everyone is familiar with someone whom they consider a “pack rat” or chronic saver, people with hoarding OCD distinguish themselves by the sheer quantity of objects collected, and by their strong emotional attachment to items most would clearly consider useless.

The objects of hoarding can be almost anything, but often include such things as newspapers, clothing, foodstuffs, books, papers, junk mail, and old appliances. People with hoarding OCD seem to overvalue the importance of these objects and therefore develop an overattachment to them that prevents them from discarding the objects. Often, the rationale is, “What if I should need it in the future? I’d better not throw it out.” With piles of clutter stacked to the ceiling and only a little space for walkways through the house, meandering through the cluttered home of a person with hoarding OCD can be challenging.

Dr. Bruce Hyman and I present a treatment plan for hoarding symptoms in our book, The OCD Workbook. The third edition is available on Amazon.com.

Some books about hoarding by doctors who have spent years studying hoarding:

Digging Out: Helping Your Loved One Manage Clutter, Hoarding, and Compulsive Acquiring
by Michael A. Tompkins

Stuff: Compulsive Hoarding and the Meaning of Things
by Gail Steketee and Randy Frost

Buried in Treasures: Help for Compulsive Acquiring, Saving, and Hoarding
by David F. Tolin, Randy Frost, Gail Steketee

I found an interesting article on hoarding at www.everydayhealth.com/anxiety-disorders/expert-answers-on-obsessive-compulsive-disorder-and-hoarding.aspx

This website has interviews of OCD experts. You'll learn a lot about OCD and how it relates to hoarding.

Nisqually Wildlife Refuge, Summer Lecture Series

The Northwest is a wonderful place to live and summer is the best time of the year. The temperatures are in the low 80s, high 70s. For some of us, that is getting on the warm side! It’s perfect for hiking, strolling, working in the garden, hanging out with friends. Today some friends from church joined us at the Refuge for the first of the Summer Lectures. There will be one every Wednesday at 7:00. Doors open at 6:00 pm and the first 100 people are seated. Yea, they are that popular! There is usually a line forming by 5:15.

Tonight’s lecture was on snow leopards. Next week’s topic is “Puget Sound Earthquakes.” Bring a friend and join us.