Tolin, D. F., Das, A., Hallion, L. S., Levy, H. C., Wootton, B. M., & Stevens, M. C. (2019). Quality of life in patients with hoarding disorder. Journal of Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders, 21, 55–59. https://doi-org.libezproxy2.syr.edu/10.1016/j.jocrd.2018.12.003


Syracuse University

Hoarding disorder (HD) is associated with severe levels of functional impairment. Individuals with HD report higher levels of disability in various daily activities compared with non-pathological collectors. As such, HD may adversely impact health-related quality of life (QoL) in psychical and psychological domains. HD is associated with decision-making impairment, deficits in basic cognitive function, emotional dysregulation & intolerance, and behavioral avoidance. Such impairments may interfere with desired goal achievements. 

Moreover, clutter may reduce usable living space, thus physically interfering with daily activities or resulting in diminished social contact. 

Symptoms include: Excessively acquiring items that are not needed, a persistent difficulty throwing out or parting with things, feeling a need to save items, being upset by the thought of discarding items, obtaining clutter to the point where rooms become unusable, a tendency toward indecisiveness, perfectionism, avoidance, procrastination, problems with planning, and organizing.

Symptoms of Hoarding Disorder 

Hording disorder is a significant predictor of diminished physical functioning, social functioning and emotional well-being, the role limitations due to physical health, role limitations due to emotional problems, depression, anxiety, and stress. There is therefore, a strong relationship between hording severity and reduced quality of life. 

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