"Hoarders Speak Out: Insights into the world of people affected by hoarding disorder"
In a groundbreaking development, a virtual reality intervention is being used as part of the "Buried in Treasures" group treatment program to help individuals struggling with hoarding disorder. This 16-week peer-led initiative, running in numerous countries including the United States, Canada, and Australia, aims to provide support and effective treatment for those affected.
Hoarding disorder, a mental health condition recognized by the World Health Organization in 2018, is characterized by excessive accumulation of possessions and difficulty in disposing of them. According to Dr. Nick Neave, this tendency to collect may be ingrained in our DNA. The condition is often a coping strategy for trauma, as suggested by Dr. Lee Shuer, a certified peer specialist and hoarding disorder expert.
The symptoms of hoarding disorder can have far-reaching implications, impacting diet, personal hygiene, housing, and safety. These symptoms can worsen progressively, from early signs like overflowing storage to severe clutter blocking exits and causing unsanitary conditions.
Treatment for hoarding disorder is multidisciplinary and primarily involves psychotherapy. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), tailored for hoarding, is considered the most effective evidence-based treatment. It helps individuals challenge distorted beliefs about possessions, improve decision-making, and develop organizational skills. Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), part of CBT, reduces anxiety related to discarding items by gradually exposing individuals to these situations without allowing compulsive saving.
Other psychotherapies like motivational interviewing and psychodynamic approaches may also be used. Medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can help if anxiety or depression co-occurs but are not specific cures for hoarding. Practical interventions like working with professional organizers and home visits by therapists can also provide tailored support in the living environment. Support groups offer peer encouragement and shared experiences, which help maintain progress.
A new virtual reality intervention, currently being tested by Stanford's Dr. Carolyn Rodriguez, allows participants to practice letting go of items in a virtual and safe environment. This innovative approach offers a new dimension to the treatment of hoarding disorder.
Sophia, who runs a Facebook group with Kim for individuals struggling with hoarding disorder, first realized she had a problem during graduate school. Her hoarding was a way to disassociate and was triggered by a close relative's severe mental illness. Kim, 53, runs a Facebook support group for 2,100 people with hoarding disorder.
The pandemic may have led to an increase in the prevalence of hoarding disorders. Birmingham, UK, may be "the first hoarding-aware city in the world," with initiatives like those led by Heather Matuozzo, the founder of Clouds End, working with Birmingham Council to support renters with hoarding disorder.
Lee Shuer, a pioneer in the field, never calls anyone a "hoarder." Instead, he describes hoarding as "intention without opportunity," suggesting most of those with the condition are well-intentioned and plan to use the stuff for good, though often it doesn't work out that way. Early intervention and compassionate support are important to overcome challenges related to shame and social isolation.
Physical comorbidities such as arthritis and diabetes are common among people with hoarding disorder. Two-thirds of people with hoarding disorder have at least one other psychiatric condition. Despite these challenges, treatment can significantly improve quality of life by reducing clutter, managing anxiety, and restoring functionality.
Science has shown that the virtual reality intervention, such as the one being tested by Dr. Carolyn Rodriguez at Stanford, can be beneficial in the health-and-wellness sector, particularly for mental health issues like hoarding disorder. This new approach, which allows participants to practice letting go of items in a virtual and safe environment, can offer an effective supplement to traditional psychotherapy methods.
Moreover, the recognition of hoarding disorder as a mental health condition by the World Health Organization in 2018 has led to a surge in research and development of innovative treatments, like the virtual reality intervention, that can improve the quality of life for those affected.
