Compulsive hoarding is a disabling problem characterized by the accumulation of excessive clutter. This accumulation becomes so extreme that parts of one's home can no longer be used for their intended purpose. Because compulsive hoarding is often found in patients with other diseases like schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), experts have found that the best kind of treatment for this disorder is cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a form of counseling that is extremely hands on and goes beyond "just talking". With cognitive-behavioral therapy, the therapist often visits the person's home and works with them one-on-one. They help them to learn how to make decisions and think clearly about their possessions. People who have compulsive hoarding tendencies often have problems processing information such as deciding which of their possessions are valuable and which are not. They might feel a strong attachment toward their belongings and might also feel anxious or upset when they have to make a decision about discarding their items. Because of this, the therapist helps the patient to confront the things that they are afraid of in order to feel less fearful. The patient will also be taught healthier ways of coping with stressful situations. In addition, with cognitive-behavioral therapy they will become aware of the way they think in critical situations and then learn how to change their thinking.
One of the ways that cognitive-behavioral therapy is different from other kinds of psychotherapy is that rather then focusing on helping the person to discover why they feel anxious, cognitive-behavioral therapy teaches the person how to feel less anxious. Plus, cognitive-behavioral therapy goes right into the cluttered situation of the person’s home and deals directly with their things. This form of treatment is also designed to be relatively brief with distinct, reachable goals. Although cognitive-behavioral therapy may take a longer period of time to develop, there are a lack of unwanted side effects and long-lasting beneficial effects that continue even after the person leaves treatment.
Compulsive hoarding is slowly developed throughout a person’s life. Often times it is not the hoarder who realizes that they need to receive treatment. Instead it is a family member who is pushing for treatment or a frustrated landlord that has given an ultimatum about the living conditions. Because of this, a person who is a compulsive hoarder has a difficult time facing their problem. When the problem is not dealt with correctly, the individual will go right back to there hoarding tendencies.
Unfortunately there have not been as many studies of cognitive-behavioral therapy and therefore it's hard to say with complete certainty how effective it is for treating a compulsive hoarding disorder. However the evidence that is available suggests that it is effective for many people with compulsive hoarding. Even though cognitive-behavioral therapy involves more time and effort on the part of the person with the hoarding problem, it is possible that it is more effective than medications.
