Hoarding: obsessive symptom or syndrome?

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Psychology
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Hoarding disorder is increasingly recognized by the public, often depicted in media.
• It involves excessive acquisition of items, leading to compromised living spaces and daily functioning.
• Hoarding can manifest as a symptom within obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or as a separate syndrome.

Purpose of the Study:

• To differentiate hoarding disorder as a symptom of OCD versus a distinct syndrome.
• To outline the typical characteristics and onset of hoarding in both contexts.
• To inform healthcare professionals about the presentation of hoarding in clinical settings.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature and clinical observations.
• Comparison of hoarding symptoms in individuals with and without OCD.
• Analysis of demographic and clinical features associated with hoarding.

Main Results:

• Hoarding as an OCD symptom typically emerges in late adolescence or early adulthood.
• Hoarding as a distinct syndrome is characterized by later onset, childhood adversity, Axis II traits, and alcohol misuse.
• The diagnostic classification of hoarding disorder remains under review.

Conclusions:

• Hoarding disorder presents differently depending on its association with OCD or its existence as a separate syndrome.
• Understanding these distinctions is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
• Hoarding behaviors are expected to be encountered frequently in both psychiatric and primary care settings.