Hoarding, the tendency to gather and hold onto items can appear as early as one’s adolescent years, often worsening with age. A serious case can result in poor health and safety concerns, and the person who suffers can also develop poor personal hygiene. After reading about hoarding in the textbook and watching the video “Those Who Hoard”, answer the following questions. In addition to the textbook, you can use other sources.
1. How does hoarding reflect the characteristics of a psychological disorder?
2. What do you believe is the major cause of compulsive hoarding?
3. What makes hoarding a difficult disorder to treat?
4. If you were a psychologist, which type of therapy would you use to treat hoarding?