Hoarding disorder is a mental health condition that can be diagnosed by a doctor. It also has links to other mental health disorders and physical illnesses, such as depression, dementia and schizophrenia.
A hoarding disorder is where a person accumulates an excessive number of possessions and stores them in a chaotic manner. This may result in a negative impact on their quality of life and interfere with everyday living
Causes of Hoarding
Difficult feelings or events may be hard to accept or deal with. Hoarding may occur because of being unable to cope with feelings of anxiety, depression and distress. Or it may be used as a means of distraction. Hoarding is often linked with impulse control.
Hoarding can be linked to perfectionism or to feelings of being scared to make mistakes. Organisation, decision making and planning skills may not come naturally, so it is easier not to make any effort rather than face a difficult task.
Childhood experiences of neglect, abuse or poverty may result in stronger feelings of connection with personal belongings, causing hoarding tendencies.
Trauma such as bereavement, isolation, abuse or life-changing events are also connected to hoarding. They may also worsen hoarding tendencies.
There may be a genetic link to hoarding. Growing up around family members with hoarding tendencies may also mean that hoarding behaviour is learnt.
Mental Health Training
Training like mental health training courses Swansea from a specialist provider such as https://www.tidaltraining.co.uk/mental-health-training-courses/swansea can help health and support workers identify cases of hoarding, helping them to better understand, support and signpost clients more effectively.
Most people who suffer from a hoarding disorder have strong emotional attachments to the items they accrue. Therefore, handling the situation with care and empathy is essential in helping them to get the necessary help and support.
