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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffHoarding isn't yet considered an official, distinct disorder. However, it can be diagnosed as a subtype or symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder or obsessive-compulsive personality disorder.
To help diagnose obsessive-compulsive disorder, mental health providers perform a thorough psychological evaluation. They ask many questions about your obsessions, compulsions and emotional well-being and may also ask your permission to talk with your relatives and friends.
If your mental health provider believes you have symptoms of compulsive hoarding, he or she will perform a similar evaluation, with additional questions that focus on your collecting habits. You may also fill out psychological questionnaires.
To diagnose hoarding, mental health providers check for three main characteristics:
- Acquisition of a large number of possessions that others would consider useless, along with an inability to discard them
- Having an overly cluttered home or living spaces — so cluttered that living spaces can't be used as intended, such as not being able to sleep in your bed, take a bath in your tub, or prepare food in your kitchen
- Having significant distress over your hoarding or an impaired ability to accomplish your daily activities
- Maidment K. Compulsive hoarding syndrome - An introduction. Obsessive Compulsive Foundation.http://www.ocfoundation.org/hoarding/about-hoarding/compulsive-hoarding-syndrome-introduction.php. Accessed April 14, 2009.
- Neziroglu F, et al. How compulsive hoarding affects families. Obsessive Compulsive Foundation.http://www.ocfoundation.org/hoarding/effects-family-society/how-compulsive-hoarding-affects-families.php. Accessed April 14, 2009.
- Abramowitz J, et al. The status of hoarding as a symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder. Behaviour Research and Therapy. 2008;46:1026.
- Pertusa A, et al. Compulsive hoarding: OCD symptom, distinct clinical syndrome, or both? The American Journal of Psychiatry. 2008;165:1289.
- Saxena S. Recent advances in compulsive hoarding. Current Psychiatry Reports. 2008;10:297.
- Frost RO, et al. Measurement of compulsive hoarding: Saving inventory - revised. Behavior Research and Therapy. 2004;42:1163.
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder. In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2000. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed Jan. 20, 2009.
- Maidment K. Problems in treating compulsive hoarding. Obsessive Compulsive Foundation. http://www.ocfoundation.org/hoarding/treatment/problems-in-treating-compulsive-hoarding.php. Accessed April 14, 2009.
- Hall-Flavin DK (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. April 17, 2009.
