Speaking of Psychology Digging out: Can we help people with hoarding disorder? With Mary E. Dozier, PhD
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May 14, 2025 Mary E. Dozier, a licensed clinical psychologist and assistant professor at Mississippi State University, delves into the complexities of hoarding disorder. She reveals that hoarding affects about 2% of people, often intertwining with other mental health issues. Dozier underscores the altruistic traits found in many who hoard and emphasizes a values-based intervention approach. The discussion also touches on the challenges of treatment, particularly how understanding individual motivations can lead to effective decluttering strategies and compassionate support for those affected.
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Sentimental Keepsakes vs Hoarding
- Kim Mills shares clearing her dad's home and finding sentimental keepsakes that made sense.
- This contrasts with hoarding where people save large amounts of non-sentimental, seemingly worthless items.
Defining Hoarding Disorder
- Hoarding disorder is distinct from general messiness and involves impairment due to excessive clutter.
- The core issue is difficulty discarding ordinary items and holding onto things others wouldn't keep.
Reward Pathways Drive Hoarding
- Hoarding activates brain reward pathways, making acquisition feel rewarding like a magnified shopping joy.
- People with hoarding problems keep items others discard, causing clutter to grow uncontrollably.