Hoarding disorder, a mental health condition that causes people to accumulate possessions and struggle to discard them, affects at least three million people in the UK and can have devastating consequences, according to a leading psychiatrist. The condition, which is often misunderstood and carries a significant stigma, drives one in four sufferers to suicide, making it a silent epidemic that deserves greater attention.
Lynne Drummond, a psychiatrist with over 40 years of experience, describes hoarding disorder as a serious condition that destroys lives and is frequently the subject of jokes, further isolating those affected. "I've seen this condition destroy countless lives, most of whom have been too embarrassed to seek help until it's too late – and withered away in silence," Drummond stated. She noted that hoarding is not merely an addiction to shopping but a complex mental health issue.
The disorder poses significant risks beyond the individual. Research indicates that hoarding is a major contributor to house fires. In 2022 alone, the London Fire Brigade responded to 1,036 fires directly related to hoarding, resulting in 186 injuries and ten fatalities in a city of nine million people.
Distinguishing hoarding from collecting is key. While collectors can identify individual items within their possessions, a hoard is often a disorganized mass where items are difficult to distinguish. Sufferers may face physical dangers from trips, falls, or infestations due to their possessions. A critical factor is the extreme distress experienced when attempting to discard an item, even one with little apparent sentimental value, with one patient likening the process to sexual assault.
Hoarding disorder was officially recognized as a distinct condition in 2013. Previously, it was often categorized under obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), as hoarding behaviors can be a symptom. The condition can affect individuals of any age, though it may become more apparent in those living alone who have had more time to accumulate possessions. Traumatic experiences often underlie the development of hoarding disorder.
Mandi Simms, a woman from Walton-on-Thames, has lived with the condition for over a decade. Her passion for clothes and bargain hunting, which began in her teens, escalated into compulsive behavior about 12 years ago following grief, relationship issues, and redundancy. This led her to frequent charity shops and car boot sales for a sense of solace, resulting in her home becoming unusable and accumulating £30,000 in debt. "Looking around her home one day six years ago, ‘it was like, what on earth has happened, Mandi? You can't have people round, you can't sit on your settee,’ she told me."
Simms's social life has been significantly impacted, as she can no longer host Sunday lunches. Friends have offered support, but some have distanced themselves, finding the situation overwhelming. In 2015, Simms was diagnosed and began receiving support from the Mary Frances Trust and is now an ambassador for Hoarding UK.
Drummond points to several warning signs of hoarding disorder: difficulty ceasing the accumulation of items, possessions preventing the normal use of living spaces, safety hazards due to clutter, anxiety about change, threats from family or friends to intervene, indecision about seeking help, and secrecy about living conditions. If these issues interfere with daily functioning, such as being unable to use furniture or access rooms, professional help may be needed.
Seeking help is crucial, though often hindered by shame and depression. The psychiatrist recommends consulting a GP, who can refer individuals to mental health services. The Fire Brigade offers in-home safety assessments, and organizations like HoardingUK provide support. Specialized cognitive behavioral therapy and, in some cases, antidepressants can be effective treatments, though recovery is a process that requires time and commitment. Drummond's book, "Everything You Need to Know About Hoarding," is available, and resources like hoardingicebreakerform.org can provide further assistance.