Psychiatrist Carolyn Rodriguez studies hoarding disorder and says that all of us have attachments to our possessions. But for many, these attachments can disrupt daily life and even pose health risks. For those with loved ones who struggle with hoarding disorder, she says treatments exist, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Lately, she’s been studying how virtual reality can augment CBT through virtual discarding practice and ways brain stimulation may improve symptoms. But, Rodriguez says, never underestimate the value of empathy for those in need of help, as she tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.
Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your question. You can send questions to thefutureofeverything@stanford.edu.
Episode Reference Links:
Connect With Us:
Chapters:
(00:00:00) Introduction
Russ Altman introduces Carolyn Rodriguez, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral science at Stanford University.
(00:02:47) Motivation to Study Hoarding Disorder
Why Carolyn chose to focus her research on hoarding disorder.
(00:03:44) Collecting Versus Hoarding
Distinguishing between normal behavior and clinically significant hoarding.
(00:05:47) Prevalence of Hoarding Disorder
The universality and pervasiveness of hoarding disorder.
(00:07:11) The Brain Science Behind Hoarding
Early neuroscience findings on attachment and discarding behavior.
(00:08:47) Dopamine and Excessive Acquisition
The connection between hoarding and potential dopamine reward pathways.
(00:09:55) Risk Factors and Cognitive Challenges
Personality traits, genetics, and processing difficulties involved in hoarding.
(00:11:14) Gender Differences and Insight Issues
Gender prevalence in treatment-seeking and the concept of anosognosia.
(00:12:35) The “Why” Behind Hoarding
How motivations and emotional attachments influence behavior.
(00:13:50) Onset and Progression of Disorder
Typical onset age, aging effects, and early warning signs.
(00:15:05) Historical References to Hoarding
Accounts from ancient literature of hoarding-like behavior
(00:17:16) Attachment to Objects
The emotional, aesthetic, and identity-based reasons people retain objects.
(00:20:45) Current Treatment Options
The treatment landscape, including lack of medications and focus on CBT.
(00:22:30) Chronic Nature of Hoarding Disorder
Framing hoarding as a long-term condition with hopeful outcomes.
(00:23:08) Virtual Reality for Treatment
A study on using VR to safely practice letting go of personal items.
(00:25:58) Neuromodulation Research
Using non-invasive brain stimulation to reduce acquisition urges.
(00:27:00) Advice for Individuals and Families
The importance of empathy and self-care for individuals and caregivers.
(00:28:47) Conclusion
Connect With Us:
Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything Website
Connect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / Mastodon
Connect with School of Engineering >>>Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook
The Future of Everything