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Hoarding Disorder

What is Hoarding Disorder?

Hoarding disorder is a mental health condition defined by persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions, regardless of their actual value. Individuals with hoarding disorder often experience extreme distress when attempting to discard items, leading to the accumulation of clutter that overtakes living spaces.

This condition goes beyond simple disorganization or messiness. For those with hoarding disorder, the sheer volume of saved items can render spaces like kitchens, bedrooms, or bathrooms unusable for their intended purposes. In severe cases, clutter creates safety hazards, obstructing pathways and increasing the risk of accidents or fire hazards.

When Does Hoarding Behavior Start?

Hoarding tendencies typically emerge during childhood or adolescence, often intensifying over time. While many individuals begin to display hoarding behaviors in early preteen or teenage years, functional interference from those behaviors may not be readily apparent until their mid-20s, with clinically significant impairment occurring by the mid-30s. Without intervention, hoarding disorder can lead to significant impairment by middle age, impacting relationships, mental health, and physical well-being.

Treatment for Hoarding Disorder

At The Center for Emotional Health, we offer evidence-based treatment specifically designed to address hoarding disorder. Our specialized approach, rooted in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), helps individuals develop healthier relationships with their possessions and reclaim control over their living spaces.

How CBT for Hoarding Disorder Works:

  • Psychological Evaluation and Behavioral Assessment:
    A thorough assessment identifies the underlying thoughts, emotions, and behaviors contributing to hoarding.
  • Education:
    Clients learn about hoarding disorder, including how it develops and the impact it has on daily life.
  • Cognitive Restructuring:
    Therapy focuses on challenging and reshaping unhelpful beliefs about possessions, helping individuals make more adaptive decisions.
  • Skill Building:
    Clients learn distress tolerance and emotional regulation techniques to manage the anxiety associated with discarding items.
  • Behavioral Interventions:
    Through gradual exposure, clients confront the discomfort of decluttering while practicing new decision-making skills.

Integrating ACT and DBT

To enhance treatment, our clinicians may incorporate principles of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). These approaches help individuals develop psychological flexibility, reduce emotional reactivity, and build healthier responses to thoughts and feelings. Our goal is to empower individuals with practical tools and strategies to reduce clutter, improve functionality in their homes, and enhance overall quality of life.

Request Your Appointment

Take the first step toward better mental health. Whether in person or through telehealth, The Center for Emotional Health is here to support you every step of the way. Contact us today with any questions and to schedule your appointment.