Peer Reviewed
Feature Article Psychiatry and psychology
Hoarding disorder: cutting through the clutter
Recent articles on:
Mental health
Mental health
Abstract
With a prevalence of 2 to 6%, hoarding disorder is common and causes significant impairment to patients and their families. Evidence-based tools are available for diagnosing and assessing the severity of hoarding disorder. Cognitive behavioural therapy is the primary evidence-based treatment.
Key Points
- Hoarding disorder (HD) is characterised by extreme attachment to possessions and difficulties with discarding, which render living areas unusable and cause the individual significant impairment and distress.
- GPs are likely to be the first point of contact for individuals and families affected by hoarding; they should distinguish HD from conditions such as dementia and consider common comorbidities such as anxiety and mood disorders.
- Patients who request treatment should be referred to a mental health specialist.
- Cognitive behavioural therapy is the primary evidence-based treatment for HD; self-help resources may also assist patients and families.
- GPs can play a key role in managing pharmacotherapy, where indicated.
Picture credit: © Michael Maloney/Corbis.
Purchase the PDF version of this article
Already a subscriber? Login here.