Compulsive hoarding, also known as pathological hoarding, is a severe form of hoarding behavior that is characterized by an inability to resist the urge to acquire large numbers of items, even if they are not needed or are of little value, and difficulty letting go of those items.
Some common symptoms of compulsive hoarding may include:
- Difficulty organizing and managing possessions
- Excessive acquisition of items, even when there is no room to store them
- Strong emotional attachment to possessions
- Difficulty making decisions about what to keep or discard
- Difficulty using living spaces as intended due to clutter
- Social isolation and relationship problems due to hoarding behavior
- Health and safety risks due to clutter and disorganization
- Difficulty functioning in daily life due to hoarding behavior
It’s important to note that the severity of hoarding can vary greatly from one person to another, and not everyone who hoards will experience all of these symptoms. A mental health professional can help to diagnose compulsive hoarding and develop a treatment plan to address the behavior.