Hoarding

Resources for Hoarding

Shortly after I completed training in the Behavior Therapy of OCD, I got questions about helping hoarding situations. Given that people who have trouble with clutter and hoarding often suffer with OCD, this made sense to me.

I started to find out what I could about the problem, and what can be done to help. At the beginning of this process, it was a pretty short reading list. Not much research had been conducted, and very few people seemed to have a handle on what might work.

Since then, the research base has expanded – and what strikes me as being especially relevant is the need for individualized treatment [no one-size-fits-all approach]. And, treatment should not resemble the interventions on Cable TV shows.

So, we’ll have a bit to sort out with one another – to establish goals and steps to follow.

The International OC Foundation has a site devoted to Hoarding – here. You’ll find information, and links to online resources. It’s the most comprehensive online source I know of for helping with hoarding.

I often recommend Digging Out for families who want to learn more about how to support their relative who hoards.