Hoarding Disorder Recognized as a Modern Mental Health Disorder, Here Are Its Characteristics According to an IPB University FKGiz Lecturer
Lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine and Nutrition (FKGiz) at IPB University, dr Yusuf Ryadi, MKM stated that the phenomenon of tenants hoarding trash should not be immediately dismissed as laziness or a disregard for cleanliness.
From a mental health perspective, he noted that this condition can lead to hoarding disorder, a condition characterized by difficulty discarding items even when they have no value, resulting in accumulation that disrupts the function of living spaces and daily activities.
Epidemiologically, dr Yusuf explained, this disorder is estimated to affect approximately 2–6 percent of the general population, making it relatively common in clinical practice.
“Many individuals with this condition can still function socially, so those around them often do not realize there is a problem until the accumulation has become extremely severe,” he said.
From a health perspective, dr Yusuf explained, the accumulation of items or trash in enclosed spaces can increase the risk of respiratory issues, infections, and exposure to hazardous substances. Additionally, this condition also poses potential safety risks, such as fire hazards or difficulties in evacuating during emergencies.
Visually, hoarding disorder is characterized by an environment filled with clutter, disorganization, and items that can no longer be used for their intended purposes, such as beds or kitchens blocked by accumulated items.
“However, a diagnosis cannot be made based solely on physical appearance; it must be established through a clinical assessment that includes thought patterns, internal drives, and the functional impact on the individual’s life,” he added.
He emphasized the importance of distinguishing hoarding disorder from the habit of collecting or temporary clutter. In hoarding disorder, the hoarding behavior is persistent and significantly impacts quality of life.
“Symptoms include difficulty discarding items, the belief that items will still be useful in the future, and a strong urge to keep hoarding until it disrupts the function of the space,” he explained.
Emotionally, individuals may experience anxiety, discomfort, or even distress when asked to discard items. This condition can also affect social relationships because an unlivable living environment tends to cause individuals to withdraw.
Treatment Approach
The treatment of hoarding disorder, he continued, requires a structured and long-term approach. The primary therapy used is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps individuals understand their thought patterns and trains them to make rational decisions.
In daily practice, simple steps such as sorting a few items each day, creating usage categories, and implementing time-use rules can help the recovery process gradually without triggering excessive anxiety.
In certain cases, medication may be prescribed as a supplement, particularly if the condition is accompanied by other disorders such as anxiety or depression. Support from the environment is also considered crucial, with an approach that is supportive and non coercive.
“Hoarding disorder has been recognized as an official diagnosis in modern mental disorder classification systems since its inclusion in the DSM-5 in 2013, and it falls within the spectrum of obsessive-compulsive disorders,” he added.
He emphasized that increased public understanding is needed to reduce stigma, so that individuals with this condition can receive appropriate help. Hoarding disorder generally begins to develop during adolescence or young adulthood, but symptoms only become clearly apparent at an older age. (dr) (IAAS/WSG)
