- With Mayo Clinic psychiatrist
Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M.D.
Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M.D.
Dr. Daniel Hall-Flavin, board certified in general psychiatry and addiction psychiatry, is a St. Louis native looking to the Internet as a way to help people improve their health and be more active participants in their own health care by learning from Mayo Clinic's experts.
Dr. Hall-Flavin served on the faculties of Cornell University Medical College, New York Medical College and The George Washington University Medical School before joining the Mayo Clinic staff in 1996. He has special interests in adult psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, pharmacogenetics and personalized medicine. He served as medical director of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence from 1986 to 1999, and is currently involved in translational medicine research involving the introduction of pharmacogenetic technology into the daily practice of community psychiatry.
"With the advent of pharmacogenetics and related fields and the advances in translational medicine, informed collaborative relationships between knowledgeable, capable health professionals and informed, proactive individuals and their families are more vital than ever," he said.
"I'm optimistic that our Internet health education activities will contribute to ever-improving health outcomes for all who participate and apply what is learned."
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Dental care (7)
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Nail care (4)
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Eye care (2)
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Sleep (5)
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Mental health (2)
- Hoarders: When does a hobby become an obsession?
- Passive-aggressive behavior: What are the red flags?
Healthy at work (5)
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Question
Hoarders: When does a hobby become an obsession?
I'm afraid my parents are hoarders, but they say collecting is their hobby. What's the difference?
Answer
from Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M.D.
Hoarders keep an excessive number of items because they're unable to let go of them. Clutter often accumulates to the point that piles of clutter fill every room and cover every surface. In contrast, collectors are generally more discerning about what they acquire and invest time and effort into organizing and displaying their treasures.
It can be difficult to sort out whether someone has a compulsive hoarding problem. For one thing, hoarders typically deny that they have a problem. However, there are warning signs that you can look for. Hoarders will typically:
- Constantly acquire things they don't need, including duplicate items.
- Have piles of clutter everywhere, making it difficult for them to get around in their homes.
- Cannot sort, organize or make decisions about their possessions.
- Have great difficulty throwing anything away.
- Close off areas of their homes or try to keep others from entering their homes.
In severe cases, hoarders may not be able to comfortably or safely live in their homes. If you're concerned that a loved one has a hoarding problem, seek assistance from a mental health professional.
Next questionPassive-aggressive behavior: What are the red flags?
- Tompkins MA, et al. Digging Out: Helping Your Loved One Manage Clutter, Hoarding & Compulsive Acquiring. Oakland, Calif.: New Harbinger; 2009:21.
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