How to Treat Hoarding

Hoarding is a serious mental disorder in which an individual compulsively accumulates items in his or her home. Unlike simply owning a lot of stuff, a hoarder is incapable of discarding useless or hazardous items that take up living space. Researchers continue to search for effective techniques to treat hoarding. Most often, treatment involves a combination of psychotherapy and pharmacological interventions. Consult a physician and a licensed psychotherapist to receive professional treatment for hoarding.

Instructions

• 1

  Assess your hoarding. Think about your lifestyle and whether the clutter in your home prevents you from performing basic daily activities. Consult friends or family members to ask whether they think you have a hoarding problem.

• 2

  Find a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in treatment of hoarding or obsessive compulsive disorders. Choose a psychologist who utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy, which has been shown to be an effective treatment, and work with him or her to set up a treatment program.

• 3

  Explore your compulsion under the guidance of your therapist. Identify stressful events and circumstances that trigger compulsive hoarding behaviors. Work with the psychologist to change the way you think about household clutter and your need to keep items.

• 4

  Remove clutter from your home under the supervision of your therapist. Wait until he or she feels you have made progress in your treatment before cleaning your home. Organize your possessions and categorize those to be removed. Request the assistance of a friend or loved one to help you remove excess clutter from your home.

• 5

  Practice relaxation techniques. Employ deep breathing and muscle relaxation when you feel the urge to keep an unneeded item. Use relaxation methods to reduce your stress and anxiety about throwing things away.

• 6

  Consult a psychiatrist to receive pharmacological treatment for hoarding. Some people find selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, or SSRI, medications helpful in treating their symptoms.

• 7

  Join a support group. Share your struggles with group members and receive treatment advice from people who understand your hoarding compulsion.