Is Hoarding An Addiction ?

Is Hoarding an addiction ?
Is Hoarding An Addiction?
Well, the straight answer is that though hoarding bears certain
similarities to addiction, it isn’t classified as such. Despite this,
hoarding, like an addiction, can cause a massively declining
quality of life, creating a need for comprehensive treatment.
Even though both disorders are marked by debilitating,
compulsive behaviors, there are some key differences which
make hoarding disorder stand apart from addiction. Addiction is
marked by long-term changes to the brain’s structure and
molecular form, alterations which haven’t yet been shown to
occur from hoarding.
What Is Hoarding Disorder?
Hoarding is a mental health disorder characterized by an excessive
accumulation of possessions that have little to no value. Further, a person
will have an inability to discard these items, despite the obvious toll they
have on their life. These behaviors are so extreme that a person suffers from
high rates of distress and functional impairment. Hoarding can cause
emotional, physical, mental, social, financial and/or legal instability. It’s
estimated that as high as 14 million Americans suffer from the debilitating
effects of compulsive hoarding, according to Scientific American. Any item
may be hoarded. Additional items include cardboard boxes, food, household
supplies, paper and plastic bags and photographs. Some individuals even
hoard animals, keeping dozens or even a hundred animals in unsanitary and
unsafe conditions. Hoarding is different from collecting. Collectors are
generally organized and feel a sense of pride and well-being from their
collection, whereas a hoarder experiences shame and detriment to their life.
When a person with a hoarding disorder is confronted with the possibility of
throwing away their belongings they typically experience a strong emotional
reaction and intense anxiety.
Hoarding And Compulsive Shopping
A significant number of hoarders may have an acquisition-
related impulse control disorder (ICD), meaning an ICD that
drives a person to acquire more stuff. Examples include
acquiring free things, compulsive shopping and kleptomania.
These individuals may not be able to resist bargains or free
giveaways, leading them to stockpile items they have no use for.
Other people may compulsively steal to fuel their hoarding
behaviors.
Is Hoarding An Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?
Hoarding had long been considered a sub type of obsessive

compulsive disorder (OCD), however, the updated official
diagnosis now makes hoarding its own disorder. According to
TIME, only 18 percent of people with a hoarding disorder meet
the full criteria of OCD. Research has found that people with
hoarding disorders have distinct patterns of brain activity which
differ from healthy individuals and those with OCD. Specifically,
these brain patterns originate when a person is faced with
making a decision. Individuals with hoarding disorders have an
extremely hard time making a decision to throw or give away
their possessions.
The Risks And Dangers Of Hoarding
Hoarding can severely impair a person’s ability to function, both
within and outside of their home. As the hoarding gets worse, the
dangers and risks associated with living in this environment
increase.
These include:
• animal or insect infestations
• animal neglect
• divorce
• economic and financial burden
• illness and disease
• isolation and loneliness
• losing custody of a child
• trip and fall hazards
Is Hoarding Curable ?
The answer is unfortunately No and a massive clean up is
No Cure For Hoarding .Health news researchers are finding
that hoarding worsens with age. They're also learning that one
of the best ways to help hoarders is to slowly build trust and
organizing skills, rather than doing massive clean-outs.
Sources
• https://www.addictioncampuses.com/compulsive-hoarding-a
ddiction
/
• https://
www.google.com/search?q=hoarding&sxsrf=ALeKk01r3iqEVRc
PQ-L0BNch0kLVdAUa-A:1591115413402&source=lnms&tbm=i
sch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwioqYzoxuPpAhUE6aQKHUJaDiUQ_AU
oAXoECBQQAw&biw=1920&bih=937
• https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2011/05/02/1359
19186/-big-clean-out-is-no-cure-for-hoarding

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Is Hoarding an addiction ?

Hoarding had long been considered a sub type of obsessive

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