Compulsive hoarding

Abstract

Compulsive hoarding is a chronic and debilitating condition that represents a significant public health concern. Hoarding is characterized by four key elements: difficulty discarding, excessive acquiring, clutter, and distress and impairment due to hoarding. This article reviews the current literature on compulsive hoarding, including its course and features, comorbidity, nosology, clinical presentation, and treatment response. The authors describe the cognitive-behavioral therapy model and treatment of hoarding, including a case presentation of a cognitive behavioral group treatment of compulsive hoarding.