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Hoarding: a review
D J Stein1, S Seedat, F Potocnik
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg, South Africa.
Summary
Hoarding disorder, often linked to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), requires more research. Understanding hoarding as a spectrum symptom across various conditions is key for better treatment and clinical practice.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Neuroscience
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Hoarding is currently classified as a symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.
- Its association with other psychiatric disorders raises questions regarding classification, psychobiology, and treatment.
- This review synthesizes existing literature on hoarding behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current literature on hoarding.
- To explore the classification and understanding of hoarding symptoms.
- To identify gaps in knowledge regarding hoarding's psychobiology and treatment.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted using the MEDLINE database.
- Relevant references were systematically collected and analyzed.
- Additional literature on hoarding behavior was obtained through reference chaining.
Main Results:
- Hoarding symptoms, while potentially meeting criteria for compulsions, appear across diverse psychiatric disorders.
- The phenomenology of hoarding remains significantly under-researched.
- The psychobiology and treatment of hoarding are poorly understood, with potential overlaps with OCD symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Extensive research is needed on hoarding's phenomenology, psychobiology, and treatment.
- A neuro-ethological perspective viewing hoarding as a spectrum symptom is proposed.
- This perspective may offer a valuable framework for clinical practice and future research.