Health 411 Mental health 411 Hoarding Hoarding is the tendency to collect items coupled with the inability to discard them. The most common items that people hoard are newspapers, books, mail, lists, notes, old clothing, and bags. While hoarding has been classified as a symptom of obsessivecompulsive disorder, new research is bringing that into question. A study published in The American Journal of Psychiatry in May 2008 found that hoarding may be a “distinct syndrome” that affects people who don’t necessarily
have obsessive-compulsive disorder. All participants in the study—both those who had obsessive-compulsive disorder and those who didn’t— hoarded as a result of fear that they may need items in the future and felt a strong emotional attachment to their possessions. The only difference was that 25% of those who had obsessive-compulsive disorder tended to hoard bizarre items such as nail clippings and had more severe behaviors (checking rituals) or thoughts (something bad would happen if the items were lost) about their possessions. While hoarding behavior usually appears in the 20s and 30s, for older adults it can be more pronounced because they have accumulated years’ worth of items. If the clutter inhibits movement around living spaces, hoarding can become a health hazard and increase the risk of falls.
While hoarding behavior usually appears in the 20s and 30s, for older adults it can be more pronounced because they have accumulated years’ worth of items.
In winter, people may experience signs of depression, otherwise known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Symptoms can include social withdrawal, weight gain, carbohydrate cravings, lack of interest in normal activities, and fatigue. Not all of these need to occur to indicate that someone is suffering from SAD. Fewer daylight hours may trigger SAD, which is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. When it is dark, people tend to produce more melatonin, a sleep-related hormone associated with depression. Clinicians can diagnose SAD and provide options for therapy. One solution is to get outside more to increase exposure to light. Another alternative is 30 to 90 minutes of light therapy with the aid of a light box. For more severe cases doctors may prescribe antidepressants to alleviate symptoms. 4 5630065 - EH 2008-11 Nov final.indd 1
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Seasonal affective disorder
The clutter of hoarding can become a health hazard.
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