What Are The Complications of Hoarding Disorder?

Hoarding Disorder is a mental health condition characterised by a person hoarding items to a level which becomes an addiction.

Hoarding in general refers to the practice of accumulating goods, items, or resources. It is intended for times of war.

Hoarding is also associated with a range of other mental health conditions – such is the difficulty of the condition.

As mentioned above, hoarding does extend to a disorder in certain cases. In this article, we look at some of the complications that can be caused by this condition.

What is Hoarding Disorder?

Hoarding Disorder: This is a condition that is closely related to Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). It is characterised by an individual struggling to discard possessions, often causing them to excessively hoard items. This often leads to an unhealthy living environment, and often becomes a fire hazard. It also commonly affects an individual’s social life.

Complications of hoarding

Hoarding Disorder can cause numerous problems for a person – including socially, economically, and medically.

In some cases, the disorder can actually take over someone’s life and lead to both health and (other) mental health conditions to develop.

The person hoarding will generally be reluctant to let anyone into their house, out of fear of being judged or feeling embarrassed.

Therefore, they can easily become isolated. This can turn into loneliness, which raises the risk of other mental health conditions like Depression developing.

This can also cause problems for the person with their family members – as arguments and disagreements may break out over the hoard.

Moreover, any maintenance needs may not be able to be completed. Tradesmen may be unable to undertake any essential or urgent work. This can create a safety hazard.

The items being hoarded can often lead to a person’s mobility around the house. This leaves them vulnerable to falling and injuring themselves.

Worse yet, this can result in a fire hazard developing. For example, exits may be blocked by items. This can actually threaten a person’s life and can put them in significant danger.

Additionally, having so many items can cause hygiene issues, as cleaning becomes difficult. This puts a person at risk of having an insect infestation.

Moreover, the level of items can mean cooking surfaces can become inaccessible, beds unable to sleep in, and baths being unreachable.

A person can also become physically overwhelmed by the level of items in their dwelling, potentially causing breathing difficulties.

Finally, hoarding can also result in economic problems. People can spend significant money on their hoard – depending of course on what is being hoarded.

Summary

As seen, a range of complications can develop due to hoarding. Therefore, it is important for those with the condition to seek treatment.

Treatment normally involves a form of talking therapy. Therapy can help to change a person’s thoughts and feelings, potentially changing their approach towards hoarding.

It is important that treatment is sought, as these complications can cause a range of issues.

See Also

• Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Section
• Hoarding Disorder: Information, Symptoms, Treatment and More
• Is it Clutter or Hoarding? What are the Key Differences?
• What Sort of Things Are Typically Hoarded in Hoarding Disorder?