A Clinician's Deep Dive into Hoarding Disorder

Approximately 2-5% of the U.S. population meets the diagnostic criteria for Hoarding Disorder, a new diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5). Individuals who hoard exhibit a tendency to keep items, irrespective of usefulness or value, often to the detriment of their own and others’ emotional and physical health, relationships, and/or finances. Despite its high prevalence, Hoarding Disorder often remains hidden, since symptoms are only evident to the client, and to those who are aware of the client’s living conditions. Until the DSM-5, many hoarding clients would have been diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) or Anxiety Disorder, Not Otherwise Specified. However, these diagnoses do not accurately capture the symptomatology of hoarding, nor do they guide clinicians to effective treatments. This online course provides an overview of Hoarding Disorder, including factors related to its onset, course, and prognosis. Because clients with Hoarding Disorder are often not self-referred for treatment, motivation to enact behavioral change is often lacking. Therefore, strategies to motivate and guide clients through the treatment process, as well as ways to engender collaboration from those involved in the client’s life are provided. Finally, specific interventions to treat Hoarding Disorder are discussed, along with the most common challenges clinicians are likely to encounter during the treatment process.