SOME people like to collect things, but when a love of amassing objects goes too far, it might be a sign of a mental disorder.
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In 2015 hoarding was added to the Diagnostic Statistical Manual, making it an official mental illness. According to the manual, it is a “persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions, regardless of their value,” and “distress associated with discarding them”.
Newcastle psychologist Michael Bazaley said hoarding can get so bad individuals effected can no longer function.
“Their homes are so cluttered, they are moving around the house and can no longer get to the sink or the fridge,” he said.
“They can’t actually control the disorder because of the obsessive nature of collecting and the distress it causes to throw things away.
“They have to keep collecting in order to not feel distressed. The more they collect, they satisfy some inner need to collect and create clutter.
“Many have very specific things they begin collecting, but then it takes over and it’s very pervasive.”
Trauma was generally the trigger for hoarding disorder.
“The research indicates there is a traumatic life event that places the individual in an area where they feel if they continue the behaviour the memory of that trauma will somehow be removed,” he said.
“They understand their house is unlivable but the behaviour means they don’t have to confront the trauma of a past event.”
Research from the University of NSW, conducted in 2015 and published in Medicine Today, estimates clinically significant hoarding effects between 2.3 per cent to 6 per cent of the population, with a prevalence in individuals over 54.
Mr Bazaley, with fellow psychologist Barb Donnan, have been trained to deliver the course Buried in Treasures, developed by a US-based expert, to help hoarders recover.
“The course will help the person with the hoarding disorder to develop some awareness and insight that their world and the clutter is making them withdraw from society,” he said.
“Part of the course is getting people to slowly bring an object to the group and getting them to practice letting go.”
The course is a 15 week pilot program starting on August 8, funded by Hunter Primary Care and Hunter Partners in Recovery.
More information: admin@newcastleclinic.com.au, or phone 4946 0919
