Hoarding OCD: What to know
Individuals who experience hoarding related to OCD may have distressing feelings about discarding items. It can drive compulsive saving behaviors that they recognize as excessive.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) involves recurring, unwanted thoughts or obsessions that drive repetitive behaviors or mental acts or compulsions, in an attempt to reduce distress. Mental health professionals’ understanding of OCD has changed significantly over time.
The latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) now groups OCD together with hoarding disorder under “Obsessive-compulsive and related disorders (OCRDs).”
Hoarding together with OCD is not an official diagnosis. Instead, it describes when obsessive thoughts and compulsive responses characteristic of OCD primarily drive hoarding behaviors. Hoarding disorder is a separate condition within the OCRD category.
The National Health Service (NHS) in the UK states that hoarding may stem from an underlying condition such as OCD. The DSM-5 reclassified hoarding disorder in 2013, and thus health professionals must correctly assess whether a person’s hoarding issues stems from OCD, or it is hoarding disorder within itself. A person may receive a diagnosis of hoarding disorder if the hoarding has no better explanation by a different mental health condition, such as OCD.
OCD affects approximately
Common OCD themes include contamination fears, concerns about harm or safety, a need for symmetry or order, and forbidden or taboo thoughts. The disorder affects people of all ages and can significantly interfere with daily activities, relationships, and overall functioning when left untreated.
People should seek professional help when hoarding behaviors significantly impact daily life, safety, or relationships. They should contact a healthcare professional if they experience:
Diagnosing hoarding OCD requires a
There is no singular, specific test for hoarding OCD. Therefore, clinicians use various mental health screening tools and standardized assessments to evaluate the severity of OCD symptoms and hoarding behaviors. They assess how these symptoms impact daily functioning, relationships, and living conditions.
Understanding whether the hoarding stems from OCD obsessions or is a separate hoarding disorder is crucial, as it affects treatment planning.
People with hoarding OCD should ask their doctor or a mental health professional to help connect them with appropriate support resources and treatment options.
Individuals can also find support throughthe International OCD Foundation, which offers educational resources, treatment provider directories, and support group information for hoarding-related concerns.
Additionally, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) provides education, support groups, and advocacy for people with mental health conditions and their families. NAMI offers local chapters nationwide that host support meetings and educational programs.
Hoarding OCD is a complex condition where obsessive thoughts about possessions drive compulsive saving behaviors that significantly impact individuals’ lives. Unlike hoarding disorder, individuals with hoarding OCD typically recognize the issues with their behaviors but feel trapped by anxiety when trying to discard items.
The condition requires a professional diagnosis to distinguish it from other mental health conditions. Effective treatment may combine cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure and response prevention, and medication to address obsessive-compulsive symptoms and hoarding behaviors.