Hoarding is a mental disorder described as an obsessive need to hold on to and/or acquire a large amount of possessions, even if the stuff is worthless, hazardous, or unsanitary. Compulsive hoarding causes large amounts of clutter and restriction to basic living activities, like cooking, cleaning, showering, and sleeping. People who suffer from this disorder are usually called pack rats or hoarders.
Psychologist Catherine Ayers, who works at the University of California San Diego department of Psychiatry, specializes in hoarding anxiety disorders. She is currently researching treatments for older hoarders.
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is a treatment based on the idea that our thoughts cause our feelings and behaviors, which is usually used to treat hoarders. According to Dr. Ayers, CBT does not work well for older hoarders. This therapy relies on abstract thinking that is difficult for seniors, especially those with mental deficiencies. So, Dr Ayers focuses on concrete skill building for her patients. She teaches them how to plan, prioritize, create basic to-do lists, how to use a calendar, and basic problem solving.
Dr. Ayers consistently practice organizational skills with her patients. She assists them in asking appropriate questions about the practical value and use of various items. By constantly discussing how to sort through items, Ayers says, patients not only learn decision making skills about items they hoard, but also learn how to tolerate the distress of getting rid of them.
Hoarding: An Anxiety Disorder – Examples of Hoarders and Compulsive Pack Rats
One of Catherine Ayers patients, Cheryl Sherrell, 65, says her biggest challenge was getting rid of a fake white fur jacket. She hasn’t worn it for 30 years because it no longer fit, yet she couldn’t get rid of it.
Through therapy, Cheryl realized it was not the coat itself, but the memory of being a young mother that was tied to the item. Cheryl learned how to keep memories without keeping the coat. She kept her loving memories of being a young mother with small children through pictures.
Cheryl’s home is now in normal condition and most importantly has control over her life again. She now feels comfortable welcoming her children and grandchildren to her house.
Hoarding: An Anxiety Disorder – Examples of Hoarders and Compulsive Pack Rats
A Boston geriatric social worker named, Emily Saltz, had a client who was cited by the health department because her condo was dangerously packed with stuff. Under legal supervision the condo was cleaned out, but within six months it was filled up with junk again.
Emily Saltz has been called in again to deal with this client’s home. On this recent inspection, bags were literally piled from floor to ceiling along with bottles and food. The condo is so filled with clutter that the client is sleeping in her car because she can no longer fit into her unit.
Saltz describes harm reduction techniques she has begun with this client. Harm reduction techniques is when the patient agrees to minor changes such as putting all of the major clutter in one room and closing the door or clearing narrow pathways through clutter to allow access to the kitchen and living room. Emily Saltz has found that baby steps work because it has a higher recovery rate than getting rid of everything at one time.
Hoarding: An Anxiety Disorder – Conclusion
Hoarding can cause fires, injuries from falling, and breathing hazards. If you have a friend or family member who are a compulsive pack rat and/or hoarder consult a psychologist who specializes in anxiety disorders before taking matters into your own hands.
Patti Neighmond, “For Hoarders, The Mess Begins In The Mind,” NPR News.
