A Guide to Supporting Individuals with Hoarding Disorder
Understanding Hoarding: Unraveling the Complexities of a Challenging Disorder
Hoarding is a complex mental health condition that is listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed. (DSM-5). It is categorized as an excessive accumulation of possessions regardless of value and often leads to unsafe living conditions, social isolation and significant distress to affected individuals and their family members. It is important to understand that hoarding is not a choice or a matter of laziness. It is a complex psychological condition that often requires professional intervention. Supporting an individual who hoards requires patience, compassion and understanding..
Potential Causes of Hoarding:
The exact causes of hoarding are not yet fully understood but there are several factors that may contribute to its development:
1. Traumatic Life Events: Past traumatic experiences, significant loss or sudden life changing events can trigger hoarding.
2. Emotional Attachment: Individuals with hoarding disorder may form strong sentimental bonds with personal items making it difficult to part with them.
3. Genetics and Brain Function: Research suggests that genetics and certain brain abnormalities may play a role in hoarding behavior.
4. Mental Health Conditions: Hoarding is often associated with other mental health conditions such as Anxiety, Depression and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
How to Support an Individual Who Hoards:
1. Educate Yourself: Take the time to learn about hoarding disorder, its symptoms, and the challenges individuals face in parting with their possessions. This knowledge will help you approach the situation with greater empathy.
2. Avoid Judgment: It is important to realize that individuals often feel shame regarding their hoarding situation. Avoiding judgment and criticism is crucial. Understand that hoarding is not a lifestyle choice and may involve underlying mental health issues which must be approached with sensitivity.
3. Offer Emotional Support: Be a compassionate listener and provide emotional support to the individual. Let them know that you are there to help and not push them to change immediately.
4. Respect Their Autonomy: Individuals who hoard like to know that they are still in control. Avoid forcibly removing their items without their consent as this may cause further distress and may be counterproductive.
5. Help With Practical Tasks: Offer assistance with organizing, cleaning and decluttering but always make sure you have their permission to do so.
6. Develop a Plan: Develop a step-by-step plan with the individual by separating tasks into groups such as a pile to keep, a pile to donate and a pile to discard. This creates a more manageable process while they maintain a sense of control over their belongings.
7. Encourage Professional Help: Suggest seeking professional assistance from a licensed therapist who specializes in hoarding disorder. Ongoing therapy can help ensure long term success and prevent relapse.
8. Connect With Support Groups: Encourage the individual to join support groups in their community who understand hoarding. This can provide them with a sense of belonging and reduce social isolation.
Supporting someone with hoarding disorder requires compassion, patience and a willingness to understand the complexities of their condition. Remember that hoarding may be a genuine mental health issue that requires professional intervention and long-term support. By offering your compassionate understanding and encouraging the individual to seek professional help, you provide a crucial role in their journey towards healing and recovery.
Extreme Bio Cleaning has a licensed therapist on staff that can help assist with the emotional side of cleaning up a home that is affected by hoarding. Contact us today to learn more about our services.