Understanding Hoarding
One-day workshop
People with hoarding problems save and collect items to excess and also find it difficult to part with possessions. Over time this can lead to the build-up of clutter in the home, which can make it difficult for people to use rooms for their intended purpose (e.g. not enough space to sleep in a bedroom or to cook in a kitchen). Clutter may build up in people's home for different reasons (e.g. feeling low or worrying that something bad might happen if they were to let go of particular items). Hoarding becomes a problem when it affects the ability of a person to live comfortably and safely in their home.
Individuals with hoarding disorder find parting with possessions very distressing and usually avoid letting items go as a result of this distress. People with hoarding problems often find it difficult to make decisions which can also lead to avoiding sorting through possessions, or looking through one possession after another without making a decision about whether each item should stay or go. They may also buy or pick up more items than they need, which can also lead to the build-up of clutter.
This workshop aims to explore and understand what hoarding disorder is in more depth and the different forms it may take. We will then discuss a range of strategies that people might find useful and in particular what cognitive behavioural treatments are available and how they can help.
The course has been designed in collaboration with staff from the Centre for Anxiety Disorders and Trauma (CADAT) and people who have used their services.
People with hoarding problems save and collect items to excess and also find it difficult to part with possessions. Over time this can lead to the build-up of clutter in the home, which can make it difficult for people to use rooms for their intended purpose (e.g. not enough space to sleep in a bedroom or to cook in a kitchen). Clutter may build up in people's home for different reasons (e.g. feeling low or worrying that something bad might happen if they were to let go of particular items). Hoarding becomes a problem when it affects the ability of a person to live comfortably and safely in their home.
Individuals with hoarding disorder find parting with possessions very distressing and usually avoid letting items go as a result of this distress. People with hoarding problems often find it difficult to make decisions which can also lead to avoiding sorting through possessions, or looking through one possession after another without making a decision about whether each item should stay or go. They may also buy or pick up more items than they need, which can also lead to the build-up of clutter.
This workshop aims to explore and understand what hoarding disorder is in more depth and the different forms it may take. We will then discuss a range of strategies that people might find useful and in particular what cognitive behavioural treatments are available and how they can help.
The course has been designed in collaboration with staff from the Centre for Anxiety Disorders and Trauma (CADAT) and people who have used their services.
