NW ANXIETY
  • Treatments
    • OCD
    • Panic Disorder
    • Social Anxiety
    • Specific Phobia
    • Parenting Anxious Kids
    • PTSD
    • Hoarding
  • Programs
    • The FOCUS Program
    • Individual Therapy
    • Group Therapy
    • Parenting Services >
      • Parent Training Program
      • Parent Coaching Course
    • Buried in Treasures
    • Presentations & Training
  • About
    • Why NW Anxiety?
    • Our Team >
      • Allison Bonifay
      • Kevin Ashworth
      • Dr. Karan Randhava
      • Dr. Hayley Dauterman
      • Dr. Myles Rizvi
      • Jessica McKee
      • Ashley Wray
      • Dr. Katie McEnroe
      • Julie Kelly
      • Nourah Raslan
      • Rachel Crawford
      • Gaia Bullock
      • Avery Jepsen-Minyard
      • Kathleen Lane
      • Francesca DellaMaggiore
      • Jackie Ewald
      • Riley Foy
      • Jennifer Garcia
      • Rhea Kathryn Go
      • Samuel Goldberg
      • Dannah Lougen
      • Amy Olson
      • Mitchell Passadore
      • Drew Sinclair
      • Paul Waude
    • Careers
    • Rates
    • Telemental Health
    • In the News
    • Past Newsletters
  • What is ERP?
  • Training Institute
    • Postdoctoral Fellowship
    • Practicum/ externship doctoral or masters
  • Contact

Understanding Hoarding Disorder

3/4/2016

2 Comments

 
Picture

​But It's Mine. I Like It. Why Would You Try To Take It?


They come in different colors, but mine is white. It’s shiny. Not the kind of shine that catches your eye; more like it’s elegant, even sexy. I take it everywhere I go. I even take it with me from room to room just in case it needs me. Yes, it has practical utility. It’s a device for communicating, for taking pictures, checking email, seeing in the dark, playing music, or even making sure there is nothing stuck in my teeth. But it’s more than that. It’s comforting. It’s hard to explain but it feels good to know it’s near. It alerts me with a gentle buzz when it needs me. I find myself gently touching my back pocket just to make sure it’s there. Sometimes people touch it without permission. This bothers me a lot. It’s mine. Do not touch. My loved ones worry I care about it too much. “Put it down” they say, “It’s not going anywhere.” They don’t get it.

We are connected to our belongings. More than we’d like to admit. We all have a similar relationship to a possession, a memento, souvenir, or sentimental item as was describe above. And, it’s easy to understand this relationship when something has a high monetary value. The item described above is an iPhone 6 plus. It cost me around $600. You’d consider me mad if I were to throw it away, and likewise I’d share the same sentiment if you were to ask me to discard it.

But what if the item seemingly had no monetary value? What if it appeared to be junk?

You’d further consider me mad if I chose to keep it, correct? The problem with having too many items has nothing to do with the value of each item or the utility of these belongings. The saying, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” refers to judgement of taste versus a literal interpretation; however, the latter can also be true.

Instead of infusing this judgement, when working with individuals who struggle with Hoarding Disorder, the focus should be on how their belongings (not trash or junk) impacts their life. Can they find all of their valued possessions? Can they enjoy them? Are they displayed? Can they use their homes and spaces for their intended purposes? If you're eating in the garage because the kitchen is cramped, maybe you’d like some help in organizing?

Hoarding Disorder is a serious psychological condition that causes suffering and has huge emotional and financial cost. Effective treatments are available that don't necessarily require giving up your beloved possessions, rather changing your relationship with them.
2 Comments
Kylie Young link
4/30/2021 07:13:19 am

Great readiing

Reply
Olivia Smart link
6/3/2022 11:25:02 am

Thank you for explaining about hoarding disorder and how to help someone who suffers from it. I've been wondering how to help my mom with her hoarding problems. I never would have thought about some of your points, so I'm sure this will help me to get her the help she needs.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Kevin Ashworth, co-director of NW Anxiety Institute, specializes in the treatment of severe anxiety disorders

    Kevin's Youtube Channel

    Archives

    August 2017
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    February 2015
    October 2014
    September 2014

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Signup For Our Newsletter
Focused on results, not return visits.
Contact us to start the fight for your freedom.
Get Started
Or call 503-542-7635
Picture
Copyright © 2007-2023 NW Anxiety Institute, LLC

About

Why NW Anxiety
Testimonials
Our Team 
Rates

Resources

What is ERP?
Blog
YouTube Channel

Contact

  • Treatments
    • OCD
    • Panic Disorder
    • Social Anxiety
    • Specific Phobia
    • Parenting Anxious Kids
    • PTSD
    • Hoarding
  • Programs
    • The FOCUS Program
    • Individual Therapy
    • Group Therapy
    • Parenting Services >
      • Parent Training Program
      • Parent Coaching Course
    • Buried in Treasures
    • Presentations & Training
  • About
    • Why NW Anxiety?
    • Our Team >
      • Allison Bonifay
      • Kevin Ashworth
      • Dr. Karan Randhava
      • Dr. Hayley Dauterman
      • Dr. Myles Rizvi
      • Jessica McKee
      • Ashley Wray
      • Dr. Katie McEnroe
      • Julie Kelly
      • Nourah Raslan
      • Rachel Crawford
      • Gaia Bullock
      • Avery Jepsen-Minyard
      • Kathleen Lane
      • Francesca DellaMaggiore
      • Jackie Ewald
      • Riley Foy
      • Jennifer Garcia
      • Rhea Kathryn Go
      • Samuel Goldberg
      • Dannah Lougen
      • Amy Olson
      • Mitchell Passadore
      • Drew Sinclair
      • Paul Waude
    • Careers
    • Rates
    • Telemental Health
    • In the News
    • Past Newsletters
  • What is ERP?
  • Training Institute
    • Postdoctoral Fellowship
    • Practicum/ externship doctoral or masters
  • Contact