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Pharmacotherapy of compulsive hoarding
1University of California–San Diego, Department of Psychiatry, 140 Arbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92103, USA. ssaxena@ucsd.edu
Journal of Clinical Psychology
|March 16, 2011
Summary
Compulsive hoarding, a disabling disorder, responds effectively to serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs), challenging previous beliefs. Combining SRIs with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) may offer the most significant symptom improvement for patients.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Compulsive hoarding is a prevalent and debilitating disorder.
- Previous assumptions suggested limited efficacy of serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) for hoarding.
- Understanding treatment response in hoarding disorder is crucial for effective clinical management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the impact of SRIs on patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and hoarding.
- To examine recent pharmacotherapy studies specifically for compulsive hoarding syndrome.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of pharmacotherapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for hoarding.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on SRI response in hoarding and OCD patients.
- Analysis of recent pharmacotherapy trials for compulsive hoarding.
- Case study presentation of a patient responding to novel pharmacotherapy.
Main Results:
- Contrary to prior beliefs, SRIs demonstrate significant efficacy in treating compulsive hoarding.
- SRIs appear as effective for hoarding patients as for non-hoarding OCD patients.
- Pharmacotherapy shows symptom improvement comparable to CBT, with combined treatment being potentially superior.
Conclusions:
- The notion that compulsive hoarding is unresponsive to SRIs is inaccurate.
- SRIs are a viable and effective treatment option for compulsive hoarding.
- Combination therapy of pharmacotherapy and CBT offers the most promising outcome for compulsive hoarding treatment.
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