DESCRIPTION
Hoarding disorder (HD) or Plyushkin's disorder is a mental disorder characterised by persistent difficulty in parting with possessions and engaging in excessive acquisition of items that are not needed or for which no space is available. This results in severely cluttered living spaces, distress, and impairment in personal, family, social, educational, occupational, or other important areas of functioning. Excessive acquisition is characterized by repetitive urges or behaviours related to amassing or buying property. Difficulty discarding possessions is characterized by a perceived need to save items and distress associated with discarding them. Accumulation of possessions results in living spaces becoming cluttered to the point that their use or safety is compromised. It is recognised by the eleventh revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5).
SYMPTOMS
- Hoarding disorder is associated with several signs and symptoms that are generally noticeable. Here are the most common ones:
- 1. Difficulty Letting Go: Individuals with hoarding disorder find it extremely difficult to throw away possessions, regardless of their actual value. Items that others might view as garbage or worthless, like old newspapers, food containers, or broken appliances, might be seen as valuable or useful to the individual.
- 2. Excessive Clutter: The individual's home is typically filled with an excessive amount of items. This clutter often makes it difficult to use living spaces as they were intended. For example, beds might be covered with items, making them unusable for sleeping.
- 3. Acquisition of Unnecessary Items: People with hoarding disorder often compulsively buy or acquire items that they do not need. These could be items picked up from the trash, or excessive purchases of items such as clothes or household supplies.
- 4. Distress or Anxiety: The thought of getting rid of items can cause severe anxiety for people with hoarding disorder. They often feel a strong attachment to their items and experience distress when considering parting with them.
- 5. Impaired Functioning: The disorder can significantly affect the individual's life, impairing their social, occupational, and other important areas of functioning. They may avoid inviting others over due to embarrassment or lack of space, and the clutter can pose health risks.
- 6. Inability to Organize: Despite the large number of possessions
COGNITIVE IMPACT
Hoarding disorder can significantly impact an individual's cognitive functions, specifically focus, memory, and cognitive clarity.
1. Focus: Individuals with hoarding disorder often struggle with attention regulation. They may find it hard to concentrate on a single task or topic because they are constantly preoccupied with their possessions. Their mind may be constantly jumping from one object to another or worrying about acquiring or losing possessions. This can make it difficult for them to focus on work, studies, or even everyday tasks.
2. Memory: Hoarding disorder can also affect memory. Individuals may have trouble remembering where they placed an item amongst the clutter or may forget they even possess certain items. This can lead to repeated acquisitions of the same item, contributing to the clutter. They may also have a distorted memory about the value or use of an item, leading them to keep it even though it's not needed.
3. Cognitive Clarity: Cognitive clarity refers to the ability to think clearly, make rational decisions, and understand the consequences of one's actions. People with hoarding disorder often struggle with decision-making, particularly about whether to keep or discard an item. Their thinking can be clouded by irrational fears of losing something important, leading to indecisiveness and the accumulation of unnecessary items.
In essence, hoarding disorder can create a cycle of cognitive disruption, where the clutter and chaos further impair focus, memory, and cognitive clarity, which in turn exacerbates the hoarding behaviors.
NATURAL STRATEGIES
- Managing Hoarding Disorder (HD) involves a comprehensive approach that not only focuses on the disorder itself but also considers the individual's overall wellbeing. Here are some natural strategies that can be beneficial:
- 1. Regular Physical Activity: Engaging in regular exercise can help reduce anxiety and depression, which are often associated with HD. It doesn't need to be strenuous, even walking for a few minutes each day can help.
- 2. Adequate Sleep: Sleep is essential for emotional wellbeing and cognitive function. Poor sleep can exacerbate symptoms of HD. Therefore, maintaining good sleep hygiene, such as having a regular sleep schedule, creating a peaceful sleep environment, and avoiding caffeine and electronics before bedtime, can be beneficial.
- 3. Healthy Diet: Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats can help boost mood and energy levels, which can in turn make it easier to manage HD.
- 4. Mindfulness Practices: Techniques such as meditation, breathing exercises, and yoga can help reduce stress and anxiety. These practices can also help individuals develop a better understanding of their thoughts and feelings, which can be beneficial for managing HD.
- 5. Routine and Structure: Having a daily routine can provide a sense of control and predictability, which can be comforting to individuals with HD. Regularly scheduled cleaning and decluttering sessions can also be helpful.
- 6. Social Support: Connecting with others can provide emotional support and reduce feelings of isolation. Joining a support group for individuals with
BRAIN SUPPLEMENTS
Cognitive supplements, sometimes known as 'nootropics,' are products that aim to enhance brain function, including aspects like memory, creativity, motivation, and attention. While these supplements are often used by healthy individuals seeking to improve their cognitive performance, they may also be considered as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for certain mental health disorders, including hoarding disorder (HD).
Hoarding disorder is a complex condition that involves both emotional and cognitive components. Individuals with HD often experience difficulties with decision-making, attention, and memory, which contribute to their struggles with discarding items and controlling their acquiring behaviors.
Some cognitive supplements, such as those containing ingredients like omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, and antioxidants, are thought to support overall brain health and cognitive function. For instance, omega-3 fatty acids are known to support brain health and may potentially enhance cognitive functions such as memory and attention. B vitamins, particularly B6, B9, and B12, are involved in brain health, contributing to the formation of neurotransmitters that regulate mood and cognitive function. Antioxidants, such as vitamin E, can protect brain cells from oxidative stress, which may slow cognitive decline.
While these supplements could theoretically support cognitive function in individuals with hoarding disorder, it's important to note that they are not a standalone treatment for HD.
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