Ultralight
12-9-15, 9:28am
Check this out: http://www.sierrasun.com/news/19525321-113/buried-treasures-understanding-compulsive-hoarding-got-anxiety
Seen below, is a brief summary regarding the prevalence, course of development, causes, and co-occurring disorders associated with Hoarding Disorder.
PREVALENCE & COURSE OF DEVELOPMENT
4-6% of the general population.
Greater occurrence in males, although excessive acquisition seen more in females.
Average age of onset is 11-15 years.
Three times more prevalent in ages 55-95 years, vs. 34-54 years.
Severity increases across each decade of life.
Course is chronic, with very little waxing/waning.
Treatment, though rarely sought, occurs 12-15 years following symptom onset.
Cause of serious marital problems and/or legal proceedings from public health officials.
CO-OCCURRING DISORDERS
Depression.
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD).
Another anxiety disorder; typically Social Anxiety or Panic Disorder.
CAUSES
Genetic predisposition.
Neurochemical (insufficient serotonin and dopamine levels).
Temperamental vulnerability (indecisiveness, perfectionism, fear of making mistakes).
Environmental vulnerabilities (traumatic life experiences, major life transitions, etc.).
Most people reading this article have, from time to time, over-acquired items from sources such as yard sales, stores, friends, etc., that they simply does not need.
In addition, we have all experienced great difficulty discarding various possessions when moving into another residence, or simply “spring cleaning.”
Many individuals love to collect items such as rare coins, vintage cars and wines, antiques, etc. Collecting may serve as a hobby, or even be one’s primary source of employment.
However, collecting is not the same as hoarding. Below, is a brief outline regarding key differences between collecting vs. compulsive hoarding.
THOSE WHO COLLECT
Feel proud of their possessions.
Keep their possessions well organized, and void of clutter.
Willingly display their possessions to others.
Feel tremendous satisfaction when adding to their collections.
Attend meetings with others who share their collection interests.
THOSE WHO HOARD
Feel embarrassed of their possessions.
Possessions are scattered, with no organizational structure.
Refuse to allow others to view or even touch their possessions.
Experience guilt, sadness, confusion, or shame when acquiring additional items.
Attend mandated support groups for helping to treat over acquisition and the lack of discarding possessions, which often result in dangerous clutter.
OK, so we all like our stuff and have a hard time tossing it out, even if we haven’t used it in years, which is different from those who collect meaningful items.
Thus, a major issue deserving attention concerns understanding the personality profile which contains the defining characteristics of those who engage in compulsive hoarding. This topic will be specifically addressed in our next article.
Seen below, is a brief summary regarding the prevalence, course of development, causes, and co-occurring disorders associated with Hoarding Disorder.
PREVALENCE & COURSE OF DEVELOPMENT
4-6% of the general population.
Greater occurrence in males, although excessive acquisition seen more in females.
Average age of onset is 11-15 years.
Three times more prevalent in ages 55-95 years, vs. 34-54 years.
Severity increases across each decade of life.
Course is chronic, with very little waxing/waning.
Treatment, though rarely sought, occurs 12-15 years following symptom onset.
Cause of serious marital problems and/or legal proceedings from public health officials.
CO-OCCURRING DISORDERS
Depression.
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD).
Another anxiety disorder; typically Social Anxiety or Panic Disorder.
CAUSES
Genetic predisposition.
Neurochemical (insufficient serotonin and dopamine levels).
Temperamental vulnerability (indecisiveness, perfectionism, fear of making mistakes).
Environmental vulnerabilities (traumatic life experiences, major life transitions, etc.).
Most people reading this article have, from time to time, over-acquired items from sources such as yard sales, stores, friends, etc., that they simply does not need.
In addition, we have all experienced great difficulty discarding various possessions when moving into another residence, or simply “spring cleaning.”
Many individuals love to collect items such as rare coins, vintage cars and wines, antiques, etc. Collecting may serve as a hobby, or even be one’s primary source of employment.
However, collecting is not the same as hoarding. Below, is a brief outline regarding key differences between collecting vs. compulsive hoarding.
THOSE WHO COLLECT
Feel proud of their possessions.
Keep their possessions well organized, and void of clutter.
Willingly display their possessions to others.
Feel tremendous satisfaction when adding to their collections.
Attend meetings with others who share their collection interests.
THOSE WHO HOARD
Feel embarrassed of their possessions.
Possessions are scattered, with no organizational structure.
Refuse to allow others to view or even touch their possessions.
Experience guilt, sadness, confusion, or shame when acquiring additional items.
Attend mandated support groups for helping to treat over acquisition and the lack of discarding possessions, which often result in dangerous clutter.
OK, so we all like our stuff and have a hard time tossing it out, even if we haven’t used it in years, which is different from those who collect meaningful items.
Thus, a major issue deserving attention concerns understanding the personality profile which contains the defining characteristics of those who engage in compulsive hoarding. This topic will be specifically addressed in our next article.