Hoarding Disorder
Persistent difficulty discarding possessions due to a perceived need to save them, leading to clutter and distress.
Etiology (Biopsychosocial Model)
Biological: Executive function deficits.
Psychological: Sentimentality, perfectionism, decision paralysis.
Social: Isolation, family modeling, traumatic loss.
Symptoms & Diagnosis (Mnemonic: CLUTTER):
C - Cluttered living spaces
L - Letting go is distressing
U - Unused items accumulate
T - Trouble making decisions
T - Third-party interventions common
E - Emotional attachment to items
R - Rules out other causes (e.g., OCD, neurocognitive disorder)
Treatment
CBT with focus on decision-making and organization
Motivational interviewing
SSRIs may have limited effect
Info
DSM-5-TR Code
F42.3
Prevalence
2%–6%; typically chronic and progressive.