"Compulsive hoarding" refers to a condition where someone feels a strong need to collect and keep a large number of items, even if they have no value or use. They may find it difficult to get rid of things and their living spaces can become very cluttered and overcrowded.
Full definition
For example, individuals with driving phobias are treated in a car, while those
with compulsive hoarding receive intervention in their homes.
The new edition of the DSM (DSM - V), the handbook used by mental health professionals, now lists
compulsive hoarding as its own disorder, rather than as a subset of obsessive - compulsive disorder.
Compulsive hoarding disorder has gotten a lot of media attention in the past few years, featuring in reality shows like Hoarders on A&E, Hoarding: Buried Alive on TLC, and Confessions: Animal Hoarding on Animal Planet.
Compulsive hoarding, unlike obsessive - compulsive disorder, does not respond to treatment with antidepressant drugs, and unlike sufferers of obsessive - compulsive disorder, hoarders actually enjoy being surrounded by all their stuff.
Scientists long assumed that
compulsive hoarding is simply a symptom and a subset of obsessive - compulsive disorder.
«
Compulsive hoarding, also known as hoarding disorder, is a pattern of behavior that is characterized by excessive acquisition and an inability or unwillingness to discard large quantities of objects that cover the living areas of the home and cause significant distress or impairment.»
Stuff:
Compulsive Hoarding and the Meaning of Things by Randy O. Frost and Gail Steketee Houghton Mifflin, April 20, 2010
Who really needs 100K tracks except for showing off or
compulsive hoarding?
Self neglect includes behaviour such as poor hygiene and
compulsive hoarding.
I worked with patients suffering with chronic pain, chronic illness (diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and many other conditions), obesity, eating disorders, depression, anxiety, trauma, abuse, addictions, shame, grief and loss, relationship distress, and
compulsive hoarding and acquiring.
If you or someone you care about shows signs of
compulsive hoarding, there are treatment options available to help you regain control of your emotions.