Hoarding As a Mental Health Disorder

4. Clinical Symptoms of Hoarding Disorder

Although psychiatrists once viewed hoarding as an obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) behavior, the DSM-5 recognized hoarding disorder as a unique diagnosis in 2013. Research shows that people with hoarding disorders experience different brain functions than those with OCD. Hoarding symptoms usually start around the age of 13. Without treatment, the disorder becomes chronic and progresses. As the individual accumulates more clutter, dysfunction levels increase. A person with a hoarding disorder is generally in substantial distress, facing diminished work performance or strains in their relationships. About 75% of individuals with a hoarding disorder also have an additional mental health condition, such as depression, alcohol abuse, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or social anxiety.