Experts from Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) have published a new guide to help doctors correctly diagnose hoarding disorder.
Hoarding disorder affects around 2% of the population, but it remains a largely misunderstood mental health condition. It was only added to the International Classification of Diseases in 2019, having previously been classified as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
Posted in the british journal of general practicethe new guideline was written by Dr Sharon Morein and Dr Sanjiv Ahluwalia of Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) in Cambridge, England, to help healthcare professionals spot the signs of hoarding disorder and intervene.
ARU experts also hosted a free lecture on Wednesday May 10 to provide the public with more information about the condition.
Hoarding disorder involves clutter in the home environment taking over living spaces, as well as excessive acquisition and difficulty disposing of possessions, and affects an individual’s quality of life.
However, it typically arises only when patients seek support for other physical or mental health conditions and can then act as a barrier to treatment due to concerns about hygiene, safety, or access to the home.
People with hoarding disorder often suffer from depression, while other comorbidities include obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Dr Morein, Associate Professor of Psychology at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) and leader of the ARU Possessions and Hoarding Collective, said: “Labels can be very useful in the healthcare system and can be the first step in people get the support they need.
“It’s really important that doctors and other frontline healthcare professionals know that hoarding disorder is a diagnosable medical condition and that it is often related to other issues so that appropriate support can be offered.
“Normally, hoarding disorder is something that creeps up on people, it doesn’t happen overnight, and people don’t necessarily recognize that they have a problem. One of the main difficulties with hoarding disorder is that people Sufferers are often not looking to help themselves, and it only presents to medical professionals along with other issues. The sooner the problem is detected, the sooner support can be provided.”
To help people understand more about hoarding disorder, ARU Possessions and Hoarding Collective is hosting a free conference on ARU’s Cambridge campus on Wednesday 10 May.
Featuring expert speakers including Professor Nick Neave from Northumbria University, the event will explain more about the disorder and the latest support strategies, and is aimed at service providers helping people with hoarding as part of its role, the people affected by hoarding. the behavior of others, as well as people fighting hoarding.
Dr Morein added: “ARU’s Possessions and Hoarding Collective is a group of academics and practitioners who aim to improve our understanding of how people interact with their possessions.
“As part of our work, we investigate how hoarding can affect individuals and their families, as well as how the service is currently delivered and how it can be improved. We are inviting all these groups to attend the event in Cambridge on 10th of May as our goal is to raise awareness and ultimately provide better support for everyone.”
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