The Impact of Hoarding Disorder on Family Members, Especially the Significant Other

Abstract

Hoarding disorder, also known as compulsive hoarding, comes under the umbrella term of obsessive-compulsive disorder and related disorders. The constant building of clutter in the house of hoarders makes it impossible for family members to live a healthy life. It can have appalling effects on their mental health and can lead to severe depression and suicidal ideation. The shame and humiliation attached to hoarding does not allow the hoarders to seek help, causing them distress and hence continuing the vicious cycle of hoarding. By presenting the case of a patient with a spouse with a hoarding disorder, we want to bring to light the severity of the impact hoarding disorder can have on the partner and the grave need to spread awareness about it so that the patient or the family members can seek timely help.

Keywords: clutter; compulsive hoarding; family; hoarding disorder; spouse.