Hoarding Disorder: NIRMALA DHAR, LCSW OREGON HEALTH To keep or not to AUTHORITY keep…is that a [email protected] question? Learning Objectives
1 2 3
Participants will know Participants will know Participants will gain the definition of about the prevalence, knowledge about hoarding and DSM-V vulnerabilities and key clinical and case criteria. features of this management disorder. interventions for hoarding disorder. BURIED A TALE OF TWO BROTHERS
• The Collyer Brothers: Homer and Langley of New York City. • They were found dead in their home in 1947, surrounded by 140 tons of collected items. • City workers had to dig their way into the house to discover the bodies. • Langley’s body took several days to discover. WHAT IS HOARDING??
The acquisition of and inability to discard items even though they appear (to others) to have no value”.(Frost & Gross 1993)
A syndrome characterized by excessive collecting and saving behavior that results in cluttered living space and significant distress or impairment. 3 INGREDIANTS FOR HOARDING
• ACQUISITION→→ • SAVING→→→→ CLUTTER • DISROGANIZATION→→ 4 KEY ELEMENTS OF HOARDING
Excessive acquiring of possessions that appear to be useless or of limited value
Difficulty discarding
Clutter – living spaces that are cluttered as to preclude their intended use
Distress or Impairment in functioning due to hoarding & clutter
(Frost & Hartl, 1996) COLLECTING VS HOARDING
COLLECTING HOARDING • Organization • Usually disorganized • Mint condition • Takes over areas of the home • Kept in specific areas • Cause of distress • Quality of life not compromised • Risk to health • Pride • Safety concerns DSM V CRITERIA FOR HOARDING DISORDER
Persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions regardless of actual value Difficulty is due to perceived need to save the items due to distress associated with discarding Accumulation of possessions that congest and clutter active living areas Hoarding causes clinically significant distress or impairment ( interference) in social, occupational and other areas DSM V CONTINUED….
Hoarding is not attributed to another medical condition (Brain injury, dementia) Not explained by another mental illness
Diagnostic specifies: excessive acquisition, poor insight
2013 AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION 10 Prevalence of Hoarding
5% prevalence in community surveys. That is about 16 million Americans. Hoarding increased with age from 2.3% in the youngest to 6.2% in the oldest age groups. Hoarding was four times as great in the poorest compared with the wealthiest households. Prevalence
Average age of onset between 11 to 15 years old
Chronic and worsening course – important not to wait to intervene
Severity of hoarding increases with each decade of life
Symptoms are three times more prevalent in older adults ( ages 54-95) compared with younger adults (ages 34-44 years) Average age for treatment is age 50
Women seek treatment more often then men Risk & Prognostic Factors
Indecisiveness is a prominent feature of individuals who hoard and their first degree relatives
Individuals who hoard report retrospectively having experienced a traumatic event preceding onset or causing an exacerbation
Hoarding behavior is familial – 50% of adults who hoard report having a relative who also hoards Psychiatric Co-morbid Problems
Depression (high co-morbidity ) – 50% Social Phobia Generalized Anxiety Disorder Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ADHD (more frequent in hoarders than OCD patients – Frost et al 2011) Dementia Personality Features – anxious/avoidant, dependent, Cluster C traits IMPORTANT!
75% of individuals who hoard have either depression or anxiety.
These individuals are behaviorally de- activated with decreased motivation and clean up and clutter protocols become hard to implement.
Screen for depression and anxiety Adverse Effects from Hoarding
Health problems – unsanitary living conditions
Safety threats – fire, falls, infestation, structural (weight of items), blocked egress
Interpersonal difficulties –with family members, neighbors, social isolation, poor personal hygiene
Legal problems – threat of eviction, child welfare involvement
Diminished self-esteem – shame, guilt
Work impairment or loss of employment Public Health Hazard
• Severe fire hazard • Blocks fire escapes • Encourages insects & rodents in the neighborhood • Safety – structural damage due to weight of accumulation • Causes unhealthy living conditions in neighborhood • Signals neglect of people & animals • Building code violations • Sanitation & odor nuisance from garbage, trash animal waste. Characteristics of individuals who hoard
Difficulty organizing possessions
Usually strong positive feelings( joy, delight) when acquiring items
Strong negative feelings (guilt, fear, anger) when considering discarding items
Strong belief that items are valuable or useful
Feeling responsible for objects
Denial of problem even when clutter interferes with a person’s life ( From Boston University “Compulsive Hoarding Research Project) ACQUIRING
Compulsive Buying – retail, online/web, home shopping network , garage/yard sales Compulsive acquiring of free things – flyers/handouts, giveaways, trash pickups, dumpster diving Passive acquiring – junk mail, food packaging, grocery bags Clutter & Disorganization
Random piles of things ( Clutter, objects of mixed importance)
Fear of putting things out of sight ( visual processing very important)
Indecisiveness ( decision making difficulties are pervasive)
Churning (what if…., just in case….)
Fear of making wrong decision Common Traits
Perfectionism : “I can’t get rid of this until I read and remember everything in this newspaper”(concerns over mistakes)
Indecisiveness :”If I file this magazine article I will never be able to find it or if…..”
Procrastination: “I won’t get rid of this newspaper today because it may have some useful information I am certain to need eventually”. WHY DO PEOPLE HOARD?
VULNERABILITIES (genetic, family , early experiences, beliefs) INFORMATION PROCESSING DEFICITS MEANING/VALUE ASSIGNED TO POSSESSIONS POSITIVE & NEGATIVE EMOTIONAL REACTIONS REINFORCEMENT OF ACQUIRING AND SAVING BEHAVIORS GOALS FOR TREATMENT AND HELP
Creating uncluttered space Increasing appropriate use of space Improve decision making skills Improve organizational skills Discard unneeded possessions and reduce acquisition DECISION MAKING
• Indecisiveness is a hallmark of hoarding – may be a way of avoiding mistakes. • Perfectionistic concern • Hoarding is an avoidance behavior ( saving a possession allows the hoarder to avoid decision to throw it away thereby avoiding the worry that a mistake has been made).
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND • Often have impaired executive functioning ORGANIZATION
• Define category very narrowly thus almost all items have their own category and hence are important! • Organizational problem is mixing of important and unimportant possessions – have trouble determining the relative importance of items from paychecks to gum wrappers • EVERYTHING IS COMPELLING THERFORE HARD TO DISTINGUISH WHAT IS IMPORTANT AND WHAT IS NOT
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND BEHAVIORAL AVOIDANCE
Saving possessions allows the hoarder to avoid loss of objects that he may need someday. Hoarding prevents emotional upset from discarding
Hoarders save to avoid decision making – perhaps because of their excessive concern over mistakes What if…..
Just in case…. SELF STATEMENTS TO LESSEN ANXIETY
• FEAR IS A BELIEF AND BELIEFS CAN BE CHANGED! • BEAR THE DISCOMFORT IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE COMFORT • FEELING ARE NOT FACTS • NERVOUS SYMPTOMS AND SENSATIONS ARE DISTRESSING BUT NOT DANGEROUS
ABRAM Low 27
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY ESTABLISH PERSONAL RULES FOR SAVING & ACQUIRING
• I must have – - an immediate use for it - time to deal with it appropriately - money to afford it comfortably - space to put it . Raise the conversation about need versus want . Assure we all have rules for acquiring – what are some of your rules?
Questions to challenge erroneous beliefs (Frost& Steketee)
• How many do I already have? • Do I need this one? • Do I have an immediate use for this? • Can I manage without it? • Do I want this taking up space in my house? • Do I have enough time to actually read this? Exposure Therapy in Session
Discuss role of avoidance in maintaining hoarding problems
Explain the process of habituation
Exposure directly combats avoidance
Develop a hierarchy
Establish rules to use during exposure (e.g. therapist may not touch any possessions)
Repetition of exposure treatment rationale necessary
Wrap up exposures with “lessons learned Exposure Response Prevention (ERP)
Exposure – practice of sorting and discarding is the only way to overcome avoidance and begin to solve the clutter problem. Anxiety will increase during exposure – work through the stress and prevent natural response. Work on easier locations (in the home) and on easier objects – set aside harder objects in a box for later. Identify “low hanging fruits”. Bratiotis, 2011 BEHAVIORAL STRATEGIES
BREAK TASKS INTO SMALL MANAGEBALE PARTS WITH VERY SPECIFIC TIMELINES
GIVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS VERBALLY AND IN WRITING
ENCOURAGE USE OF A TIMER
ENCOURAGE PRACTICE OF DISCARDING A LTTILE EVERY DAY
THIS AIDS WITH DECISION MAKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING Lessons Learnt from Exposure Therapy
• Example: • 1. That I can let go of items. • 2. Keeping things does not help me with my hoarding. • 3. I can deal with distress from discarding BEHAVIORAL STRATEGIES FOR ERP
Break tasks into small, manageable parts with very specific timelines
Deliver these instructions verbally and more importantly in writing – an action plan
Encourage use of a timer
Encourage practice of discarding little everyday - habituation
This aids with decision making and problem solving GOALS OF HARM REDUCTION
• Keep people safe and comfortable in their homes • Focus on removing possessions away from high risk areas • Focus on creating systems to minimize acquisition and maintain safety • Focus on creating systems to enhance effective living • Focus on managing other problems and conditions that influence harm potential HARM REDUCTION STRATEGIES
HARM REDUCTION TARGET HARM REDUCTION STRATEGY • Keep back door clean • Maintain a clean path to back door and • Decrease incoming paper clean exit (door can open completely) • Eliminate old and unsafe foods from freezer and • Limit magazine subscriptions to 2 per year refrigerator • Only buy food for the week discard • Keep stove top clean spoiled food older than 4 months • Protect important documents and decrease late • Keep 24 inch clearance around stove payments and charges top(no clutter) • Set up filing system for important documents • Set up auto payment system or box for bills, • checkbook, stamps Goals for Case Management
• Preservation of Housing • Reduction in clutter • Increasing client’s capacity to manage possessions effectively moving forward • Skill Building and Awareness of Triggers Asking questions about hoarding
• Are you reluctant to have people come over? • Are you able to use your kitchen appliances? • Are you able to sleep in your bed? • Can you use your shower? • Have you fallen over your clutter? Asking Questions..
• Why are you keeping this item / Can you tell me about this item? • What might happen if this was lost or was thrown away? • How do you feel about your bedroom/home/space? • How were you feeling / what were you thinking about before buying this item? • How did you feel after buying it? How To Talk About Hoarding
In-Correct Correct
• This place is a mess! • You need an egress path of 36 inches throughout your home. • How can you live like this? • You are not allowed to have papers on the stove because of potential fire. • Your piles must be reduced to no • You have to throw this junk more than 4 feet to prevent any away avalanches of your items. Create Common Goals
Reframe goals:
- How can we help you meet the court order?
- How can we keep the housing authority off your back?
- How can we satisfy your family’s concerns as well as your own needs?
Creative alternatives:
- Make money by selling items or help others by giving away CREATE GOALS COLLABORATIVELY
• UNDERSTAND WHY YOU SAVE THINGS • CREATE LIVING SPACE YOU CAN USE • FIND YOUR THINGS • IMPROVE YOUR DECISION MAKING SKILLS • REDUCE ACQUIRING AND ENJOY OTHER ACTIVITES • REDUCE CLUTTER IDENTIFYING VALUES AND PERSONAL GOALS
ASK “WHAT DO • I WANT TO BE SAFE IN MY HOME • I WANT TO BE ABLE TO FIND THINGS YOU VALUE • I WANT TO BE ABLE TO COOK IN MY KITCHEN MOST IN LIFE? • I WANT TO BE ABLE TO INVITE FRIENDS TO MY HOME LIST FOUR 0R • I WANT A BETTER RALATIONSHIP WITH MY FIVE THINGS”: FAMILY MOTIVATION BOOSTERS : BALANCE OF CHANGE SCALE REASONS TO CHANGE REASONS NOT TO CHANGE
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA Specify objectives and timelines
• REMEMBER – many people who hoard have a hard time with problem solving, decision making, attention and categorization. • Delivering instructions that are broken down into small steps and tasks both verbally and in writing is a best practice. • Assign homework and check back on it. QUESTIONS TO HELP WITH DECISION MAKING
HOW MANY DO I ALREADY HAVE AND IS THAT ENOUGH? DO I HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO ACTUALLY USE AND READ THIS? HAVE I USED THIS IN THE PAST? DO I HAVE A SPECIFIC PLAN TO USE THIS ITEM? DOES THIS SEEM IMPORTANT JUST BECAUSE I AM LOOKING AT IT NOW? DO I REALLY NEED IT? DO I HAVE SPACE FOR IT? WILL NOT HAVING THIS HELP ME SOLVE MY HOARDING PROBLEM? PREPARING FOR DE-CLUTTERING
• KEEP
• MAYBE
• DISCARD SORTING AND REMOVING STUFF
• DECISION: SHOULD I KEEP IT OR LET GO OF IT? • DECISION: TO WHAT CATEGORY DOES THIS THING BELONG? • DECISION: WHERE SHOULD IT GO? • ACTION: MOVE THE ITEM TO ITS FINAL DESTINATION
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND ROOM MAPPING
DIVIDE DIVIDE HOME INTO ROOMS
PRIORITIZE PRIORITIZE TARGET ROOMS
DIVIDE DIVIDE ROOMS INTO SECTION
BEGIN BEGIN WITH GREATEST AREA OF RISK OR HIGHEST MOTIVATION
CREATE CREATE A STAGING AREA FOR SORTING Decision Tree
Move to Move to Save : id. Interim Final category spot place
Save or Trash Discard Re- cycle Move to Move to Discard: id Interim Final charity category spot place Sell Response to Disorganization & Clutter
• Select one room to target • Target an area within the room • Assess possession within that area • Create simple categories – keep, give away, discard. • Set priorities • 10 second rule – prevent churning • Never touch possessions without permission. • OHIO ( only handle it once) – prevent churning (indecisiveness) • Mirror the language used by the client for their possessions e.g. If they call it their treasure, refer to it as treasure. Organizational Strategies
• Categories to keep & discard • Filing system • Places to discard & plan for discarding (Goodwill, recycle, Habitat) • Adequate storage • Items for sorting (containers, files, shredder, etc.) • Developing rule system – like with like • Everything has final resting place – if none, discard • Staging areas • Maintenance system • Keeping cleared areas clean CHANGING THOUGTHS ABOUT ACQUIRING
Do I already own something similar? Am I buying this because I feel bad right now? Will I regret getting this in a week? Could I manage without it? SETTNG RULES FOR NOT ACQURING
I CANNOT GET THIS UNLESS: I PLAN TO USE IT WITHIN THE NEXT MONTH I HAVE ENOUGH MONEY RIGHT NOW TO PAY FOR IT I HAVE A PLACE TO PUT IT SO IT DOES NOT ADD TO CLUTTER I AM SURE I TRULY WANT IT AND WILL NOT RETURN IT GETTING THIS ITEM IS CONSISTENT WITH MY GOALS AND VALUES FOR MY LIFE I HAVE A TRUE NEED NOT JUST A WISH FOR THIS ITEM Reasonable Accommodation
Persons with hoarding problems that meet disability criteria may request reasonable accommodation from their housing provider. They may ask more time due to their disability to remove clutter to meet lease violation Housing provider has legal right to request verification about person’s disability or that accommodation is necessary If the clutter poses life threatening hazard( fire, structural or contamination) the tenant has to deal with it immediately Examples of Lease Violations
Odor Infestation Blocking Exits Fire Hazard – e.g. papers near stove, heating vents, storing combustible items Animals – multiple, feces, untended litter, damage to carpet Garbage Unusable bathroom Structural damage Health/Fire Dept Citations Forced Intervention
Last resort – this Official does not address One room clean Total clean-out monitoring – fire the root causes of out Model Model inspector, housing hoarding authority Assessment Tools
Clutter Image Rating Scale (CIR) ( Steketee & Frost 2006)
HOMES Multi-disciplinary Hoarding Risk Assessment (Bratiotis, 2009)
Hoarding Rating Scale (HRS) – Tolin, Frost & Steketee
Uniform Inspection Checklist (UCI)-http://thecluttermovement.com/wp- content/uploads/2018/06/UIC-Quick-Reference-combined.pdf Reference Books
Compulsive Hoarding & Acquiring : Therapist Guide – Steketee & Frost
Compulsive Hoarding & Acquiring: Workbook – Steketee & Frost
Stuff: Compulsive Hoarding & the Meaning of Things – Steketee & Frost
Buried in Treasures – David F. Tolin, Randy Frost & Gail Steketee
The Hoarding Handbook: A guide for Human Service Professionals – Bratiotis & Steketee
Effective Hoarding Intervention: A manual for non-clinical professionals – Jesse C. Edsell-Vetter RESOURCES RESOURCES FOR THERAPY
NW ANXIETY INSTITUTE (503)542 7635
PACIFIC UNIVERSITY PSYCHOLOGY & COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CLINICS (503)352 2400 BURIED IN TREASURE GROUPS – CONTACT [email protected]