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A Controversial Hoarding Statement from San Diego

March 12, 2020 By Richard Farrell

University of California School of Medicine runs a comprehensive obsessive-compulsive disorders program. It singles out Hoarding Disorder as being excessive accumulation of clutter that renders living spaces uninhabitable.

This phenomenon can affect the health and safety of an extreme hoarder.  It also affects those who live nearby. The School of Medicine’s paper insists the diagnosis must include:

  • significant distress, and / or
  • impairment in functioning as a result of their hoarding behaviour.

The past decade has seen many psychiatrists moving hoarding away from obsessive-compulsive disorder. However, the San Diego definition appears to reinstate this link.

Defining the Extreme Fringes of Hoarding Disorder

Their extreme definition is useful in that it defines the extreme fringes of the condition. It also includes common types of functional impairment including:

1… Fire and health risks

2… Rodent and insect invasions

3… Loss of facilities for entertaining guests

4… Important possessions buried under clutter

5… Abandoned tasks, interpersonal conflict

6… No facilities to prepare food or eat

However, Not All Hoarding is Compulsive

University of California School of Medicine researchers believe that hoarding can be the outer sign of underlying neuro-psychiatric states. Possibilities include autism, dementia, eating disorders, psychotic disorders, and general mental deterioration.

However, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has the strongest link to the condition.  Between 25% and 40% of those affected also hoard compulsively.  Therefore, the School of Medicine reserves judgement on whether a dominant link exists between OCD and hoarding.

Behavioural Indications for Compulsive Hoarding

1… Preserving more items that could be used

2… Acquiring more items than are needed

3… Avoiding throwing surplus things away

4… Having difficulty making decisions

5… Avoiding storing things away properly

6… Slow or late in completing important tasks

A clinical diagnosis of compulsive hoarding may also embrace:

  • an inability to decide
  • problems organizing tasks
  • delaying doing things
  • avoiding taking actions
  • perfectionism

Compulsive Hoarding Is More Disabling than OCD

However, University of California School of Medicine does distinguish the two conditions in terms of the degree of disablement. It notes that compulsive hoarders typically display:

1… A greater degree of functional impairment

2… More disruptive social and family relationships

3… More severe depression and anxiety

4… Low awareness of the severity of their state

5… Typically older people when diagnosed.

Compulsive Hoarding Disorder As Experienced By Others

Friends and family members become increasingly exasperated as the symptoms become more extreme.  Their loved one’s life becomes even more disrupted. They want to do something but their efforts are repulsed.

They may become angry because they are powerless. Eventually they may see only three solutions. These are:

  • enforce a clear out
  • move the hoarder to care
  • walk away from the problem

If That Is You, Please Hold That Thought for a Moment

Your friend or family member is not going balmy. They have a neurological disorder and can be helped.  Their condition can become less severe through professional cognitive behaviour therapy available at the NHS.

This treatment helps hoarders understand their condition.  They learn to accept help from friends and family, and become less anxious about their disabling condition and this is a positive thing.

Related

How Do I Know I Have a Hoarder on My Hands?

Social Workers Should Manage Prejudice Before Intervening

Related

Filed Under: Compulsive Hoarding, House Clearance Tagged With: a bit of a hoarder, clearing out a hoarder house, compulsive hoarding specialists, hoarder house clearance, hoarding clearance, house clearance hoarder

Our House Clearance Services

We provide a full house clearance and property management solution:

  • We clear hoarded houses, regardless how big or how cluttered
  • We clear all types and sizes of property, irrespective of location, or access is restricted or where parking is difficult or not available.
  • We can help avoid water damage by draining the central heating system.
  • We can secure the property and change the locks.
  • We can reinstate the gardens and maintain them whilst the property is empty.
  • We can provide 24 hour security to eliminate the risk of squatting or unlawful occupation.

As well normal house clearances we specialise in clutter clearance and we can clear a hoarded house which may contain years of accumulated possessions, or which have abnormal amounts of general household items, sometimes as a result of compulsive hoarding syndrome.

Equally we can help to clear a property where the occupants were previously unwell and unable to care for themselves or their property which sometimes results in insanitary, dangerous or just plain unpleasant conditions.

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Client Reviews

Jenny Schon
Dec 3, 2021
 by Jenny Schon on Avery Associates
Well done

This truly is a 'one stop shop' for all things relating to Probate valuations and clearance. Jeffrey is a 'facilitator' and full marks to him for finding... Read More

Kevin Anderson
Oct 26, 2021
 by Kevin Anderson on Avery Associates
Fantastic and Reliable

Our aunt was a recluse and hoarder. She died leaving two properties in London that were dilapidated and completely hoarded. Unfortunately, because everything... Read More

It was a pleasure to assist Kevin

T. Hackett
Aug 26, 2021
 by T. Hackett on Avery Associates
1st Class Service

Avery Associates Appraisal I have just moved house after almost 30 years of occupation. My initial choice of movers, Pickfords, decided at the last... Read More

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