Compulsive hoarding – research, social and personal problem

Abstract

The paper discusses the syndrome of compulsive hoarding in three aspects: difficulties in defining the phenomenon, features characterising those affected, and auxiliary guidelines in working with hoarders, aimed at taking control over the urge to collect and hoard unnecessary items. The analysis focuses on the problems related to the diagnosis of affected people, the process of support for those affected and the scale of the problem. On the basis of estimates, state that there are between 1% and 2% of people in the entire population suffering from compulsive hoarding which can directly threaten their lives. This amounts to between 3 and 6 million people in the United States, between 4 and 9 million people in the European Union, and between 64 and 129 million around the world. Solutions used in Western European countries towards dysfunctional people with the use of the organisation plan showed only minimal improvement of their living conditions. Aid programmes and day care centres show that effectiveness thereof in combating hoarding is low due to the lack of the hoarder’s engagement.

Keywords

• social support
• compulsive hoarding
• syllogomania
• diogenes syndrome
• compulsive hoarder