15 Signs You May Have Hoarding Disorder: How to Diagnose and Get Help

Do you have a lot of stuff? More than most people? Are you having trouble getting rid of things, even if you don’t really need them? You may be suffering from hoarding disorder. Hoarding disorder is a mental illness that affects millions of people in the United States, and it can be very difficult to diagnose and treat. In this blog post, we will discuss the signs and symptoms that may help you to diagnose hoarding disorder. As well as how to get help if you think you may be affected

What Are The Signs To Diagnose Hoarding?

There are many different signs that may indicate a hoarding disorder. Some people with hoarding disorder may exhibit all of the signs, while others may only have a few. The most important thing to remember is that if the hoarder is causing significant distress or impairment in their life, they may be suffering from a hoarding disorder.

In fact, it is essential to identify the signs in order to diagnose hoarding. This is often difficult for people close to the hoarder because they may not be aware of the true extent of the problem. Moreover, hoarders are often in denial about the seriousness of their condition.

15 signs to diagnose hoarding

1. Excessive attachment to possessions
2. An inability to throw things away, even if they are useless
3. Extreme emotional distress at the thought of getting rid of possession
4. A need to acquire more and more items, even if they are not needed
5. Hoarding so many items that they begin to interfere with everyday activities, such as cooking, cleaning, and sleeping
6. Living in conditions that are unsanitary and cluttered
7. Becoming isolated from family and friends because of embarrassment about the condition of their home
8. Spending excessive time collecting and organizing items
9. Missing work or important appointments because they are busy hoarding
10. Allowing their possessions to take over their home to the point where it is no longer livable
11. Losing important items, such as bills and medications, in the clutter
12. Experiencing financial difficulties because of spending too much money on things they don’t need
13. Being evicted from their home because of the condition of their hoard
14. Putting themselves and others in danger by storing flammable or hazardous materials
15. Hoarding animals, even if they cannot properly care for them.

These are some of the signs that may indicate a hoarding disorder. If you or someone you know is exhibiting these signs, it is important to seek professional help. A hoarder can only get better with treatment, and the sooner they get help, the better.

How To Diagnose Hoarding Disorder?

It is important to remember that there is a difference between collecting and hoarding. Many people enjoy collecting items, such as stamps, coins, or dolls. This can become a problem if the person begins to accumulate so many items that they begin to interfere with their daily life. For example, if a person can no longer use their stove because it is covered in collectible plates, this would be an issue.

There are several ways to diagnose hoarding disorder, but one of the most common is through the use of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V). This manual is used by mental health professionals to diagnose various mental disorders.

Here are some of the ways to diagnose hoarding, such:

Saving Inventory-Revised to Diagnose Hoarding

It is the foremost and most important revision in the third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-III-R) for diagnosing hoarding. This diagnosis is a 23-item questionnaire that measures three features. These features are; excessive acquisition, difficulty discarding, and clutter.

The items are rated on a four-point Likert scale ranging from 0 (not at all) to (very much so). The total score for the Saving Inventory-Revised can range from 0 to 69, with a higher score indicating more severe hoarding symptoms. Moreover, this hoarding scale is not only used for research purposes but also in clinical settings.

Hoarding Rating Scale-Self Report (HRS-SR)

The HRS-SR is a 20-item self-report measure of hoarding symptoms. This scale was developed to assess the severity of hoarding symptoms in adults with and without OCD. The items are rated on a four-point Likert scale ranging from 0 (not at all) to (very much so). The total score for the HRS-SR can range from 0 to 80, with a higher score indicating more severe hoarding symptoms.

In fact, this is the most widely used measure to diagnose hoarding in research studies.

Clutter Image Rating Scale (CIRS)

The CIRS is an 18-item measure that assesses the visual clutter in a person’s home. The items are rated on a four-point Likert scale ranging from 0 (no clutter) to (severe clutter). The total score for the CIRS can range from 0 to 72, with a higher score indicating more severe hoarding symptoms.

This scale is often used in research studies to assess the severity of hoarding symptoms.

There are many other ways to diagnose hoarding disorder, but these are some of the most common. If you or someone you know is displaying any of these symptoms, it is important to seek professional help. Hoarding can be a very debilitating disorder and it is important to get help as soon as possible.

What Are The Diagnostic Criteria For Hoarding?

It is important to note that not everyone who collects things or has cluttered living spaces meets the criteria for hoarding disorder. To be diagnosed with hoarding disorder, a person must:

A. Persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions, regardless of their actual value.

B. This difficulty is due to a perceived need to save the items. And to distress associated with discarding them.

C. The symptoms result in the accumulation of a large number of possessions that clutter active living areas. And substantially compromise their intended use

D. If living areas are uncluttered, it is only because of some other person’s intervention. Such as cleanup by family members, friends, or professional organizers.

E. The hoarding causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, and occupational. Or other important areas of functioning (including maintaining a safe environment for self and others).

F. The hoarding is not due to another medical condition (e.g., brain injury, cerebrovascular disease, Prader-Willi syndrome).

G. The hoarding is not better explained by the symptoms of another mental disorder (e.g., obsessions in obsessive-compulsive disorder, decreased energy in major depressive disorder, delusions in schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder, cognitive deficits in major neurocognitive disorder, restricted interests in autism spectrum disorder).”

How To Get Help After You Diagnose Hoarding?

When you diagnose hoarding, you may feel like there’s nowhere to turn. Here are some options for getting help:

Talk to someone who understands

It is the primary step in getting help for hoarding. Many people who hoard keep it a secret because they are embarrassed. You may not want to tell anyone, but it is very important to confide in at least one person who will understand and not judge you. This could be a friend, family member, therapist, or doctor. Moreover, these close people provide you with a safe place to talk about your feelings and experiences.

See a therapist

Therapies are always a great option when it comes to mental disorders. A therapist can help you understand your thoughts and feelings better. They will also help you develop coping mechanisms for when you feel triggered to hoard. CBT and ERP is the best-considered therapy. Moreover, you can try getting help from Mantra Care, book your free consultation today to learn more.

Join a support group

There are many online and in-person support groups available for people struggling with hoarding disorder. This can be a great way to connect with others who understand what you’re going through. Moreover, when you diagnose hoarding, it is essential to understand that you are not alone in this battle. Many support groups can be found on online platforms.

Practice self-help

Self-help is the most important as you are the only one who can change your behavior. While it may be difficult, there are many resources available to help you get started. You can find books, online articles, and even YouTube videos on decluttering and organizing. Moreover, KonMari Method is a great way to start decluttering your home.

Consider medication

Medication is another treatment option for hoarding disorder. While there is no specific medication for hoarding, your doctor may prescribe medications to treat other underlying conditions that may be contributing to your symptoms. These could include antidepressants, anxiety medication, or OCD medication.

If you or someone you know is struggling with hoarding disorder, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. There are many resources available and treatment can be very effective. With the right support, it is possible to make a dramatic improvement in your quality of life.

Hoarding disorder can be a difficult thing to deal with, but you are not alone. Many people suffer from this condition and there is help available. If you think you may have hoarder tendencies it is important to diagnose hoarding and then, don’t hesitate to seek professional help—it could change your life for the better.

Conclusion

To conclude, it is essential to diagnose hoarding as the first step to getting help for the condition. Because hoarding is often accompanied by other mental disorders, it is important to seek professional help. It eventually creates the most effective treatment plan.

Moreover, many people who hoard are reluctant to seek help because of the stigma attached to mental illness. However, it is important to remember that hoarding is a real and serious condition that requires professional treatment. If you or someone you know exhibits any of the above-mentioned signs. Then take the step to help yourself. Thanks for reading!