Obsessive compulsive disorder, or OCD, is a kind of anxiety disorder that can present itself in a number of ways, one of which is hoarding. Obsessive compulsive disorder is characterized by obsessive thoughts and compulsive actions that are related to those thoughts. For people whose OCD presents itself in the form of hoarding, it is common to fixate or obsess over objects and things that they feel they must collect and to take actions toward adding to their collection. Although mental health professionals largely agree the OCD and hoarding are linked, it is important to note that not all people who have OCD are hoarders. Instead of focusing on hoarding, a person with OCD might instead fixate on washing his hands or performing rituals.
OCD and hoarding can often be treated by a psychologist. There are varying levels of OCD and hoarding, which will define the level of involvement that is required by a mental health professional as well as the amount of time it will take for the patient to overcome his OCD and hoarding tendencies. In many cases, hoarders are very private about their condition and fearful of being found out or having their collections taken away from them. Because of this, the condition is sometimes very difficult to treat without an intervention.
In recent years, OCD and hoarding have received quite a bit of attention in the mainstream media. There are reality television shows dedicated to the topic of OCD and hoarding that often chronicle interventions and the process of clearing out a space that has been inhabited by a hoarder. There have also been books written for the general interest market that focus on the topic of OCD and hoarding.
The hallmarks of hoarding include the collection of an extensive number of possessions that are, for the most part, useless or of limited value. These objects may be collected outside of the home and brought in or they may be objects that come to the home and are never discarded. Newspapers and magazines are an example of the latter category of objects. Hoarders often allow their living spaces to become so cluttered that they can no longer be used for their intended purpose. A bathroom, for example, may be rendered useless because it is so full of hoarded objects and materials. Another hallmark of hoarding is a hoarders decreasing ability to function in a healthy manner.
